When do the clocks go forward and why does the UK observe Daylight Saving Time?

It won't be long until the clocks spring forward, signalling the return of longer days and lighter evenings as the UK edges closer to summer.

The clocks will go forward at 01:00 GMT on 29 March 2026, when we will return to BST.

After a winter that has felt long and grey for many, the prospect of extra daylight is a lift people are keenly anticipating.

Beyond brighter evenings, the change marks a turning point away from the depths of winter, providing a mental boost as the prospect of outdoor life, socialising and warmer months starts to feel close again.

The change will signal the end of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the beginning of British Summer Time (BST), also known as Daylight Saving Time (DST).

If you find it hard to remember which way the clocks go, then the phrase "spring forward, fall back" is a useful reminder.

However, for anyone who enjoys a Sunday morning lie-in, the spring clock change comes with a downside — losing an hour of sleep.

When the clocks change, sunrise will appear to shift an hour later. In the days immediately after the change people who are up early may notice darker mornings, which can take a little getting used to.

The payoff comes later in the day as evenings become noticeably brighter, with sunset pushed further into the night. This is great for after-work walks, outdoor sports, and longer social evenings.

As spring progresses, both sunrise and sunset keep stretching apart.

Following the spring equinox - the moment when the sun crosses directly over the equator resulting in nearly equal day and night lengths worldwide - most of the northern hemisphere will enjoy more than 12 hours of daylight each day. That gap will keep widening as we head toward summer. This year the equinox happens on Friday 20 March.

By the time of the summer solstice on 21 June, daylight will be at its peak. In the far north of the UK, particularly northern Scotland, there will be close to 19 hours of daylight, with twilight lingering well into the night and barely any true darkness.

If you want precise timings for your location, you can easily check local sunrise and sunset times on the BBC Weather website or through the BBC Weather app.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) — the practice of putting clocks one hour ahead during the summer months — was first introduced by Germany in 1916, in the middle of the First World War.

The idea was driven by the need to conserve vital resources, particularly coal. By making better use of natural daylight, countries could reduce reliance on electric lighting and heating in the evenings, while also encouraging longer periods of productivity during daylight hours.

Germany's experiment quickly caught on. Within weeks, several other nations followed suit, including the UK, which adopted the system under the name British Summer Time (BST).

The approach was taken even further during World War Two, when the UK introduced British Double Summer Time. Under this system, clocks were moved two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during the summer. Even in winter, when clocks were set back, they remained one hour ahead of GMT, again to maximise usable daylight and support wartime productivity.

Although originally a wartime measure, daylight saving became a lasting feature in many countries, continuing to shape daily routines, work patterns, and how people experience daylight throughout the year.

Supporters of British Summer Time (BST) often argue that lighter summer evenings improve road safety, reducing traffic accidents at busy commuting times. The issue gained national attention between 1968 and 1971, when the UK ran a three-year trial keeping BST all year. Road casualty figures fell during this period, although later analysis suggested much of the improvement was likely due to drink-driving laws introduced in 1967, rather than the clock change itself.

The trial also exposed clear regional differences. In northern Scotland, the impact was less positive: on the shortest winter days sunrise did not occur until around 10:00 in some places, resulting in darker mornings and a rise in serious road casualties. These concerns underpin the Scottish government's long-standing opposition to retaining BST during winter.

As a result, proposals to end the twice-yearly clock change have repeatedly stalled, and there are currently no plans to alter daylight saving in the UK.

Critics also point to the disruption caused by changing the clocks, often comparing it to mild, nationwide jet lag. Losing an hour of sleep in spring has been linked to short-term effects on mood, concentration, and mental wellbeing.

One practical frustration has eased however, with smartphones and connected devices now updating automatically, the seasonal time change is harder to miss—even if the debate around it remains unresolved.