With longer days and spring now underway, the seasonal clock adjustment is nearly here.

Twice yearly the nation adjusts its clocks, reversing them in autumn and pushing them forward in spring, yet countless people still find themselves unprepared for the shift.

The springtime advancement signals the beginning of British summer, as the country transitions from Greenwich Mean Time to British Summer Time.

Below is a guide to everything about the UK’s clock changes in 2026.

When do the clocks go forward in 2026?

The clocks always advance at 1am on the last Sunday of March, which this year corresponds to Sunday, March 29.

This particular time was selected to minimise disturbance to educational institutions and commerce.

The drawback is that your weekend loses an hour, though the benefit is additional daylight during evenings.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

In autumn the clocks revert at 2am on the final Sunday of October, which this year falls on Sunday, October 25.

This arrangement grants an additional hour for a leisurely Sunday morning and provides extra daylight as winter evenings approach.

Why do we change the clocks?

The main purpose behind these adjustments is to maximise the use of natural daylight.

The initial clock change was implemented by the German administration in 1916 during the first world war as an energy conservation measure, as extended daylight hours meant reduced electricity consumption.

Numerous European administrations adopted the practice, including Britain, and British Summer Time was established, with the contemporary system operating since 1971.