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In the UK the clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March (the start of British Summer Time) and back one hour on the last Sunday in October (when we return to Greenwich Mean Time). In 2026 that means clocks go forward on Sunday 29 March 2026 and back on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Clock change dates 2026 and 2027
| Change | Date | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Clocks go forward | Sunday 29 March 2026 | +1 hour (BST begins) |
| Clocks go back | Sunday 25 October 2026 | -1 hour (GMT returns) |
| Clocks go forward | Sunday 28 March 2027 | +1 hour (BST begins) |
| Clocks go back | Sunday 31 October 2027 | -1 hour (GMT returns) |
What it means for your visit
The change happens at 1am, and phones, computers and most modern devices update automatically. The practical effect for visitors is daylight: from late March, London enjoys long, light evenings, perfect for sightseeing, while from late October the afternoons draw in early and the city takes on its cosy, lamplit winter character. Plan your days accordingly, especially for the best views, which are at their finest around sunset.
A quick way to remember it
The old saying is spring forward, fall back: clocks go forward in spring and back in autumn. London sits in the GMT/BST time zone, the global reference point set at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, home of the Prime Meridian.
