Daylight Saving Time 2026: when do the clocks change in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, the transition between Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and British Summer Time (BST) takes place twice a year, on the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October.
When do the clocks change in 2026?
Sunday, 29 March 2026 – Start of British Summer Time (BST)
At 01:00 GMT, the clocks go forward by one hour to 02:00 BST.
You will lose one hour of sleep, but the evenings will be lighter.
Sunday, 25 October 2026 – End of British Summer Time (return to GMT)
At 02:00 BST, the clocks go back to 01:00 GMT.
You will gain one extra hour of sleep.
Why do the clocks change?
The time change was introduced to make better use of natural daylight during spring and summer, helping to reduce energy consumption and extend usable daylight hours.
Effects of the clock change
In the days following the change, some people may experience:
- mild tiredness
- temporary sleep disruption
- difficulty concentrating
Most people adapt within a few days.
How to correctly adjust a wall clock
If you own a wall clock with manual adjustment, follow these steps:
1. Stop the clock. Remove the battery before making any adjustments.
2. Use the rear adjustment knob. Never force the hands. Adjust the time using only the wheel located on the back of the movement.
3. Set the correct time. In March: move forward by 1 hour; in October: move back by 1 hour.
4. Restart the clock. Insert the battery again and check that the time is correct.
Radio-controlled clocks: no adjustment required
Radio-controlled clocks update automatically using the official time signal.
No manual adjustment is required.
Frequently Asked Questions about the clock change
- Will the UK abolish daylight saving time? At present, the UK continues to observe GMT and BST. No final decision has been made to permanently abolish seasonal clock changes.
- Do smartphones change automatically? Yes, smartphones and connected devices update automatically. Manual clocks need to be adjusted.
- Does changing the clocks save energy? The impact varies over time and depends on consumption patterns, but the system was introduced to maximise natural daylight use.
In brief
- Next clock change: 29 March 2026 (start of BST)
- Return to GMT: 25 October 2026
- Manual clocks: always adjust from the back, never move the hands directly
- If you own a radio-controlled wall clock by CalleaDesign, the change will happen automatically.
