British clocks will go back one hour at 2am on Sunday, 26 October 2025, marking the end of British Summer Time (BST) and a return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The change means an extra hour in bed, but also shorter days and longer nights as autumn progresses.
According to experts from the Royal Museums Greenwich, daylight saving was introduced to make the most of increased summer daylight hours. A campaign at the start of the 20th century argued successfully for changing clocks during summer to avoid wasting morning time.
Proponents say the adjustment helps reduce energy consumption, encourages outdoor activities and minimises road accidents. However, critics point out that darker mornings when clocks go forward in spring can pose safety risks or inconvenience for certain workers.
The UK will remain on GMT until 1am on 29 March 2026, when clocks spring forward again for BST. Devices with internet access, such as computers and smartphones, should update automatically, but the government provides a full list of future clock changes on its website.
