British Summer Time (BST) is almost over and winter is coming
Though it has felt like we didn’t really get one this year, summer in the UK is officially coming to an end (but not before a sneaky mini-heatwave in October) as we move out of British Summer Time (BST). We’ve been on BST since Sunday 26th March 2023, when the clocks went forward one hour, and on the last Sunday in October, the clocks will go back one hour taking us back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Why do the clocks change in the UK?
The changing of the clocks, also known as Daylight Saving Time, allows us an extra hour of daylight in the evenings during the spring and summer months. Most of the northern hemisphere observes the same practice. In the UK, Daylight Saving Time was formally introduced in 1916 when Parliament passed the Summer Time Act in parliament. this was a result of campaigning by William Willett, who in 1907 suggested advancing the clocks in the summer to make the most of the daylight hours, which people could use to work, and to save on fuel during wartime.
When do the clocks go back?
The clocks will go back one hour on Sunday 29th October 2023 at 2am, which will roll back to 1am. This means we get an extra hour in bed (yay!) but the days are getting shorter and it gets darker earlier (boo). If you struggle to remember which way the clocks go each time, just think of the seasons – so the clocks ‘spring forward’ in the spring and ‘fall back’ in the autumn.
Will my clocks update automatically?
Many devices that have internet connection, like smartphones, laptops, and smart televisions, update automatically. Other digital display clocks, like those on your oven or in your car, along with wristwatches will need to be manually updated so make sure to wind them back so you don’t get caught out.
When will the clocks go forward again?
The clocks will change again on Sunday 24th March 2024, going one hour forward.