In the UK, the custom of changing the clocks twice a year has been around for more than a century.
The clocks change once in March when they go forward one hour, and once on the last Sunday of October, when they go back an hour.
We still have a short while until clocks change, therefore, make the most of your day before summertime ends.
This is what it all means for the UK.
When do the clocks go back?
The clocks go back on Sunday, October 27.
Usually, your smartphone and laptop will update automatically. However, analogue clocks and other digital clocks, like car and oven clocks, often need to be changed manually – so make sure they’ve been updated!
Why do the clocks go forward?
The custom of changing the clocks by an hour began more than 100 years ago. In 1916, Parliament passed the Summer Time Act, thereby creating BST.
It was the result of a campaign started in 1907 by William Willett, to stop people wasting valuable hours of light in the summer months and to save fuel during the war.
Germany was the first country to adopt the clock-changing plan in April that year and the UK followed in May.
While Daylight Savings Time is observed in most places in Europe, North America, and Australasia, most places in Africa and Asia don’t observe the practice.
Incidentally, Willett is an ancestor of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Whether or not this was inspiration for the band’s song Clocks is up for debate on Genius.
Chris Martin is related to William Willett – the so-called father of time
Getty
When will the clocks go forward again?
The clocks will go forward on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
