The long, dark evenings of winter are finally set to retreat as the UK prepares to welcome back lighter nights. The annual shift to British Summer Time (BST) is confirmed for the end of March 2026, promising sunset times after 8pm for many parts of the country.
Key Dates for the 2026 Clock Change
Mark your calendars: the clocks will officially spring forward by one hour at 1am on Sunday, March 29, 2026. This change occurs a day earlier than the corresponding date in 2025. The move signals the start of British Summer Time, which will last until the last Sunday in October, when the clocks revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
This shift means an immediate gain of evening daylight. For some regions, the reward is almost instant. Areas like County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland will experience sunsets after 8pm almost immediately following the change. For major cities, however, the wait varies.
When Will Your City See an After-8pm Sunset?
Forecasts indicate a staggered arrival of the coveted late evening light across the UK's urban centres. The capital has a little longer to wait, with London not seeing its first post-8pm sunset until around April 17, approximately 17 days after the clock change.
Other cities will enjoy the later dusk sooner. Edinburgh is projected to reach this milestone around April 6, followed by Cardiff on approximately April 10. Birmingham residents can expect their first 8pm sunset around April 12.
The Historical Roots of British Summer Time
The practice of advancing clocks in spring to maximise useful daylight hours has a long and international history. The concept is often credited to American founding father Benjamin Franklin, who humorously proposed it in 1784 to save on candle usage.
It was a British campaign, however, that truly sparked change. In 1907, builder and keen horseman William Willett published a pamphlet titled "The Waste of Daylight", passionately arguing for the adoption of daylight saving. Sadly, Willett did not live to see his idea become law; he died in 1915.
The following year, in 1916, Germany became the first nation to implement daylight saving time, primarily as a wartime coal-saving measure. The United Kingdom, along with many other nations involved in the First World War, swiftly followed suit later that same year, establishing the tradition that continues today.
As we look ahead to March 2026, the promise of longer, lighter evenings offers a welcome boost after the winter months, continuing a century-old practice designed to make the most of every hour of sunlight.
