When clocks go back plus sunrise and sunset times

Clocks will return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


The Great British Summertime is sadly nearing its end. You've probably already noticed the mornings and evenings getting shorter, along with temperatures already entering the mid teens in a cold start to September.

The clocks going back at the end of next month will officially confirm our transition into the cooler months. As you'll know this the changing of the clocks happens twice a year to make the daytimes as light as possible while the seasons change.

In the UK clocks go one hour forward at 1am on the last Sunday of March, and go back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday of October. On this upcoming change it will mean a switch from British Summertime (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

READ MORE: The East London town some residents wish was still in Essex as it's 'gone from village to ghetto'

When do the clocks go back?

Clouds over Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London
It's that time of year again -Credit:Getty Images

The clocks will go back by one hour at 2am on Sunday, October 27. And don't worry, this is the 'good' one as it will mean an extra hour in bed.

All Internet connected devices like phones, laptops and smartwatches should make the change automatically but for all your alarm clocks, analogue wall clocks, and even oven clocks you'll have to remember to change the time manually so you don't get caught out.

Most of us will benefit from this change, although it might cause some fear for those of us working overnight on October 27. If you fall into this category, you're advised to check your contract and discuss the situation with your lawyer.

What time will sunset be?

Sunsets will come an hour earlier after the clocks change
Sunsets will come an hour earlier after the clocks change -Credit:Andrea Pucci/Getty Images

The clocks going back will give us an extra hour of sunlight in the morning, but mean that sunset will come earlier. On Saturday, October 26 sunset will be at 5.44pm in the evening. Just a day later on Sunday, October 27 this will come at 4.42pm.

On the other hand sunrise on Saturday, October 26 will come at a rather late 7.44am, but then return to 6.46am on Sunday, October 27 after the transition to Greenwich Mean Time.

Why do we have daylight saving in the UK?

BST, also known as Daylight Saving Time, was initially designed to help people maximise their sunlight hours throughout the year. It was created following a campaign by British builder William Willett with the Summer Time Act of 1916.

Mr Willett wrote about his idea in his 1907 pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight, in which he proposed that days were made longer in the summer so he could play golf for longer.

After much lobbying, Mr Willett's idea was introduced to the UK a year after his death. Shortly after, Germany and Austria also introduced Daylight Saving Time. Now, most countries in mainland Europe also change their clocks in summer and winter.

It was thought that the new way of observing time would make the most of natural sunlight and conserve energy, which was essential during World War I when coal was limited. The logic was that it was pointless to waste electricity when there was actual daylight still to be used.

Get the biggest stories from around London straight to your inbox. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.