Date and time clocks 'fall back' this weekend as Brits set for extra hour in bed

Residents are being reminded to turn their clocks back this weekend as British Summer Time comes to an end.

Residents across the UK will gain an extra hour in bed this Sunday (October 25) as the clocks go back, marking the official return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The change will take place at exactly 2am on Sunday morning, when clocks move back one hour to 1am. While many people will welcome the extra hour of sleep, the change also signals darker evenings and the arrival of the winter months.

What time do the clocks go back?

The clocks will go back by one hour in the early hours of Sunday, October 25, bringing British Summer Time (BST) to an end.

Most smartphones, tablets and computers connected to the internet should update automatically.

However, residents are advised to check household clocks, watches, car dashboards and other devices that may need changing manually.

Why do the clocks go back and was the measure really introduced to help farmers?

This is actually a common myth. Farmers were never consulted about adopting a change in time zone and many farmers have complained that it’s disruptive to their schedules and unsettles animals.

The idea was actually proposed by a builder, William Willet, in 1907. The Summer Time Act was introduced several years later, during the First World War, when the country needed to make use of as much daylight as possible to conserve coal.

Darker evenings across the region

The clock change means people across the West Midlands can expect daylight to arrive earlier in the morning, but sunset will also come an hour earlier by the clock.

For commuters, dog walkers and people travelling home from work, this means adjusting to darker afternoons and evenings in the weeks ahead.

Residents are encouraged to take extra care on local roads, particularly around busy junctions and pedestrian crossings, as visibility changes during the autumn and winter months.

Drivers should check that their vehicle lights are working properly, while pedestrians and cyclists may wish to consider wearing reflective clothing or using lights when travelling after dark.

A reminder for households

The clock change is also an opportunity for residents to check their home routines as winter approaches. Checking outdoor lighting, reviewing heating timers and making sure alarms are set correctly can help households prepare for the seasonal change.

Although many people will enjoy the prospect of an extra hour in bed, those working overnight should be aware that the hour between 1am and 2am effectively happens twice when the clocks change.

The clocks will next go forward on Sunday, March 28, 2027, when the UK returns to British Summer Time.