The UK clocks went forward by one hour at 1am on Sunday 29 March 2026 — which means if you're reading this, you've already lost that hour of sleep (sorry). In return, you get lighter evenings right through until late October. Here is everything you need to know about the UK clock change in 2026, including when the clocks go back in autumn, why we do it, and which devices update automatically.

When Did the Clocks Go Forward in 2026?

The clocks went forward at 1am on Sunday 29 March 2026, jumping straight to 2am. This is the official start of British Summer Time (BST), which runs until late October.

The change always happens on the last Sunday in March, and is timed in the early hours to cause as little disruption as possible to travel, businesses, and daily life.

During British Summer Time, the UK runs on GMT+1, which means:

• Sunsets are roughly an hour later each evening
• Mornings are slightly darker, at least initially
• The UK is 1 hour ahead of Portugal, Iceland, and the Canary Islands
• The UK is in the same time zone as most of Western Europe

When Do the Clocks Go Back in 2026?

The clocks go back by one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026. At that point, the time returns to 1am, giving most people an extra hour in bed. This marks the end of British Summer Time and the return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The darker evenings follow quickly after that — sunset will be before 5pm across most of England by early November.

Which Devices Update Automatically?

Most modern devices update themselves, but some still need doing manually. Here's a quick guide:

Update automatically

• Smartphones (iPhone and Android) — as long as 'Set time automatically' is switched on
• Laptops and desktop computers connected to the internet
• Smart TVs and streaming devices (Netflix, Amazon Fire Stick, Sky Glass)
• Modern connected cars with built-in satnav
• Smart home devices (Amazon Echo, Google Nest, Apple HomePod)

Need changing manually

• Analogue watches and wall clocks
• Microwave ovens and cooker displays
• Older car dashboard clocks
• Alarm clocks without internet connectivity
• Boiler and heating timers (check the manual for yours)

Why Do the Clocks Change in the UK?

The practice dates back to 1916. Germany was the first country to introduce daylight saving time during the First World War as a way of conserving energy — longer evenings meant less need for artificial lighting. Britain followed suit shortly after, passing the Summer Time Act in 1916.

The man most associated with campaigning for the change in Britain was William Willett, a keen horse rider who hated cutting his morning rides short when the clocks were misaligned with natural daylight. He published a pamphlet in 1907 called 'The Waste of Daylight'. Willett never lived to see his idea become law — he died in 1915. He was also, as a fun footnote, the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

Today the stated benefits of the clock change include longer evenings supporting leisure and tourism, potential reductions in road accidents due to better visibility, and some energy savings — though evidence on the latter is mixed, and many scientists argue the disruption to our body clocks outweighs the gains.

Should the UK Scrap the Clock Change?

It is a debate that surfaces every year. A 2024 YouGov poll found Brits are genuinely split: 46% said keep the clock change, while 42% said scrap it. The remaining 12% were undecided.

Arguments for keeping the change

• Lighter summer evenings boost hospitality, tourism, and outdoor activity
• Aligns the UK with most of Europe, which also changes clocks
• Keeps mornings brighter in autumn and winter for school children and commuters

Arguments for scrapping it

• Sleep disruption twice a year has measurable effects on health and productivity
• Farmers argue it disrupts livestock routines
• Evidence on energy savings is weak and outdated

The European Parliament voted in 2019 to scrap mandatory daylight saving time across EU member states, but the legislation stalled and has not been implemented. There are currently no plans for the UK to make changes either.

Does Europe Also Change Its Clocks?

Yes. In 2026, all EU member states, along with Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, Ukraine, and Andorra, moved their clocks forward on Sunday 29 March — the same day as the UK. They will all go back on Sunday 25 October 2026.

A few exceptions: Iceland does not observe daylight saving time at all and stays on GMT year-round. Turkey also does not change its clocks, staying on permanent GMT+3.

Sunrise and Sunset Times After the Clock Change

Here is how sunset times look across major UK cities on 29 March 2026 with the clocks forward:

Frequently Asked Questions