When do the clocks change in the UK?
UK clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday of March, when British Summer Time (BST) begins, and back one hour on the last Sunday of October, when the UK returns to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In 2026 the clocks go forward on Sunday 29 March and back on Sunday 25 October. The change happens at 01:00 GMT. The simple rule is spring forward, fall back.
Clock-change dates
| Year | Forward (BST begins) | Back (GMT begins) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 29 March 2026 (01:00 to 02:00) | Sunday 25 October 2026 (02:00 to 01:00) |
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March 2027 (01:00 to 02:00) | Sunday 31 October 2027 (02:00 to 01:00) |
| 2028 | Sunday 26 March 2028 (01:00 to 02:00) | Sunday 29 October 2028 (02:00 to 01:00) |
The clocks always change at 01:00 GMT, in the early hours of Sunday, so most people notice it on the Sunday morning.
Copyable table
| Year | Clocks go forward (BST begins) | Clocks go back (GMT begins) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 29 March 2026 (01:00 to 02:00) | Sunday 25 October 2026 (02:00 to 01:00) |
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March 2027 (01:00 to 02:00) | Sunday 31 October 2027 (02:00 to 01:00) |
| 2028 | Sunday 26 March 2028 (01:00 to 02:00) | Sunday 29 October 2028 (02:00 to 01:00) |Last updated 2026-06-25. Compiled by DatesAndTimes from gov.uk. The dates are fixed by the rule (last Sunday of March and October) under the Summer Time Order 1997; UK civil time is maintained by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
Common questions
Do the clocks go forward or back in March?
Forward. On the last Sunday of March the clocks go forward one hour and British Summer Time begins, so you lose an hour in bed but gain lighter evenings.
Why do the clocks change at all?
British Summer Time shifts an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening over summer. It is set by the Summer Time Order 1997, which fixes the last Sundays of March and October.
Is the UK getting rid of clock changes?
No. The EU agreed in principle to scrap seasonal clock changes, but it was never implemented, and the UK has no plans to stop them. The twice-yearly change continues.
Source: gov.uk: when do the clocks change · National Physical Laboratory (UK time).