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Britain's clocks will go back this week - exact date and time explained

Clocks are set to go back an hour in the UK, but what exactly does this mean? Here's everything you need to know

[Young man reaching for alarm clock]

The clocks are set to go back on the last Sunday of October(Image: Getty Images/Uppercut RF)

As the air cools and leaves change to their autumn colours, it's clear that the warmer months are coming to an end. This signals the time for British clocks to fall back by one hour, reverting to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

This annual event is scheduled for 2am on the last Sunday in October (October 26th), marking the end of British Summer Time (BST), which has given us extended daylight hours during the spring and summer. As a result, the days may seem shorter and evenings longer, but you may enjoy an extra hour of sleep.

Specialists from the Royal Museums Greenwich have previously explained: "Daylight saving, or summer time, is a mechanism to make the most of increased summer daylight hours in the northern hemisphere

"...A campaign at the beginning of the 20th century successfully argued in favour of changing the clocks during the summer months to avoid wasting time in the morning."

[ A mother and young child hold hands as they walk along the beach as the sun sets over the River Thames estuary on February 21, 2019 in Leigh on Sea, England]

The time shift will cause days to appear briefer and nights longer(Image: Getty Images)

Currently, supporters of this time change claim it helps reduce energy consumption, encourages outdoor activities, and even decreases traffic accidents, according to experts. But others suggest that darker mornings when clocks go forward again may pose a safety risk or 'inconvenience' to certain workers.

The experts continued: "Its an ongoing debate that strongly depends on peoples geographical location, occupation and lifestyle." Britain will remain on GMT until March 29, 2026.

At 1am on that date, the clocks will spring forward to BST. Internet-connected devices, such as computers and smartphones, should automatically adjust to this change.

Nonetheless, if you wish to keep track, the Government provides a detailed list of upcoming clock changes on its website.

[Man typing on phone, wearing yellow jumper ]

Phones and computers should automatically update with the time change(Image: Getty Images)

The Government's website adds: "In the UK the clocks go forward 1 hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March, and back 1 hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October. The period when the clocks are 1 hour ahead is called British Summer Time (BST).

"Theres more daylight in the evenings and less in the mornings (sometimes called Daylight Saving Time). When the clocks go back, the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)."

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