When Do the Clocks Go Forward?
UK clocks go forward one hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March, starting British Summer Time (BST) and lighter evenings.
The exact next date and time
The clocks next go forward at 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027. At this precise moment, the time changes from 01:00 to 02:00, and everyone loses an hour of sleep. This starts British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) and gives the UK lighter evenings through spring and summer.
What actually changes
When the clocks go forward, you lose an hour of sleep overnight. The night is effectively one hour shorter. Evenings become noticeably lighter and stay light much longer into the evening, but mornings feel darker for a few weeks as the sun rises later. This adjustment can affect sleep patterns and mood for some people.
Why the UK changes the clocks
The UK starts daylight saving time in spring to shift an hour of daylight into the evening, making better use of longer summer days. This aligns the UK with most of Europe and is designed to improve energy use and make better use of daylight for work, leisure and safety.
What to expect after the change
After 28 March 2027, evenings will be noticeably lighter and stay light much longer. Mornings will feel darker for a few weeks as the sun rises later. Most smartphones, computers and smart devices update automatically overnight, but analogue clocks, cooker timers and some car clocks need to be changed manually. The next clock change comes on Sunday 25 October 2027, when clocks go back again.
Frequently asked questions
When do the clocks next go forward in the UK?
The clocks next go forward at 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027. At this moment, 01:00 becomes 02:00, starting British Summer Time (BST) and giving lighter evenings.
Do I gain or lose an hour?
You lose an hour. At 1am the clocks jump forward to 2am, so that hour of sleep disappears — remembered as "spring forward, fall back".
What happens to mornings and evenings?
After the clocks go forward, mornings feel darker for a few weeks as the sun rises later, but evenings become noticeably lighter and stay light much longer into the evening.
Why does the UK change the clocks?
The UK starts daylight saving time in spring to shift an hour of daylight into the evening, making better use of longer summer days and aligning with most of Europe.
When did the clocks last go forward?
The clocks last went forward on Sunday 29 March 2026 at 1am, starting British Summer Time. The next change is on Sunday 28 March 2027.