As the air starts to feel cooler and leaves change color in autumn, it signals the approaching end of summer. With this transition, British clocks are scheduled to be set back by an hour, aligning with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

This annual adjustment is slated for 2am on the last Sunday of October (26th), marking the conclusion of British Summer Time (BST), which extended daylight hours during spring and summer. Reverting to GMT may make days seem shorter and nights longer, but there’s the potential bonus of an extra hour of sleep. Most devices in the UK, such as smartphones, are expected to automatically adjust to the time change.

According to experts at the Royal Museums Greenwich, daylight saving or summer time aims to maximize longer summer daylight hours in the northern hemisphere. Advocates argue that changing the clocks during summer months helps avoid wasting morning time. Supporters claim that this time adjustment aids in reducing energy consumption, promoting outdoor activities, and reducing road accidents. However, critics suggest that darker mornings following the clock change may pose safety risks or inconvenience certain workers.

The ongoing debate surrounding daylight saving strongly relies on geographical location, occupation, and lifestyle. Britain will adhere to GMT until March 29, 2026.

On the designated day, clocks will spring forward to BST at 1am. Internet-connected devices like computers and smartphones should automatically adapt to this time shift.

For those interested, the Government provides a comprehensive list of upcoming clock changes on its website. The UK follows the practice of setting clocks forward by an hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March and back by an hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October. The period with clocks set an hour ahead is known as British Summer Time (BST), resulting in more daylight in the evenings and less in the mornings. When the clocks go back, the UK returns to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).