If you live in the UK, you’ll know the yearly dance we all do with the clocks. One minute you’re happily going about your day, and the next — bam — you’ve lost an hour of sleep and you’re suddenly expected to function like a normal human being. Every spring, the nation collectively asks the same question: when do the clocks go forward again? And more importantly, why are we still doing this to ourselves?
Before you start rummaging through drawers for that one old clock you still haven’t updated since 2017, let’s walk through what actually happens, why it happens, and how you can make the most of (or at least survive) the yearly jump.
what does “clocks go forward” actually mean?
Right, let’s start with the basics. When the clocks go forward in the UK, we move from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to British Summer Time (BST). It means that at 1am, the time jumps to 2am, essentially deleting one hour from existence. This is the bit that hurts.
The idea is to squeeze more daylight into the evenings so that, in theory, we use less energy and have more time for barbecues, pub gardens, and general merriment. Whether it actually works is a whole other debate, but at least the evenings get brighter, and that’s something to look forward to.
when exactly do the clocks go forward?
Every year, the clocks in the UK go forward on the last Sunday in March. It’s the same every year, and yet somehow every year we all manage to forget until the night before — or worse, the morning after.
Because it always happens on a Sunday, most people don’t have to worry about turning up to work an hour late. But if you’ve got kids, pets, or an early train to catch, it’s still close to chaos. In any case, it’s worth sticking a reminder in your phone so you’re not wandering around wondering why your kitchen clock disagrees with your mobile.
In 2026, the clocks will go forward at 1am on Sunday 29th March.
why do we do this whole clock-changing thing anyway?
The UK introduced British Summer Time during the First World War in an attempt to save fuel (1). The thinking was simple: more daylight in the evenings meant less need for artificial lighting. It was also meant to encourage people to get outdoors and stay active, which honestly feels like something your PE teacher would say while you’re standing there in the pouring rain being forced to participate in some sort of group sport.
Over the years, the practice has stuck around, even though we now have more energy-efficient lighting, more flexible working hours, and more reasons to stay indoors binge-watching whatever Netflix has cooked up this month.
There are always debates about whether we should scrap it, keep it, or switch permanently to one time or the other. But for now, we’re stuck with the twice-yearly ritual.
what actually changes for you?
The most obvious change is the loss of an hour’s sleep. If you’re a night owl, it’s disastrous. If you’re a morning person, you’re probably thrilled by the idea of lighter evenings. The rest of us are just confused for a few days while our bodies try to understand why it’s suddenly bright at 7pm.
Your devices — phones, laptops, tablets, smart speakers — will update automatically. But there’s always that one clock that doesn’t. The oven clock. The car dashboard. The stubborn wall clock with the tiny plastic dial that never wants to turn properly. Those are the clocks that really test us.
The evenings will start feeling more hopeful, though. It’s easier to go for a walk after work, and there’s something undeniably mood-lifting about stepping outside and not being met by the pitch black of winter.
tips for surviving the clock change
Even though we only lose one hour, it can really mess with your routine. Here are a few gentle tips to make the shift a little easier:
- ease into it: go to bed slightly earlier for a night or two beforehand. Even 20 minutes can help soften the blow.
- don’t panic about feeling out of sorts: most people feel slightly tired or groggy for a couple of days afterwards. It’s normal. You’re not suddenly broken.
- get outside: sunlight helps reset your body clock. A quick walk in natural light can genuinely make a difference.
- don’t over-caffeinate: tempting, yes. Helpful, not really. Try to stick to your usual amount of coffee. Even if you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus.
- use it as an excuse for a fresh start: new season, longer days, maybe a chance to shake off the winter gloom. Or don’t. No pressure. But the option’s there.
the emotional rollercoaster of the clock change
There’s a whole mood cycle that comes with the clocks going forward.
At first, there’s confusion. Then mild irritation. Then acceptance. Then, finally, the joy of that first truly bright evening when someone inevitably says, “Ooh, it’s still light!”
From there, it’s all daffodils, lighter jackets, and people talking optimistically about summer plans they may or may not follow through on. The clock change is like a small annual reboot for the country. A tiny signal that winter is officially losing its grip.
so, what should you do next?
Nothing too frantic. Just be aware of when the last Sunday in March is creeping up. Set a reminder if you need one. Consider going to bed a bit earlier. And maybe take comfort in the fact that we’re all going through the same slightly sleep-deprived transition.
The clocks going forward marks the start of longer, brighter evenings — something most of us desperately need after winter. Even if the lost hour stings, it’s a small price to pay for the promise of lighter days, warmer weather, and the chance to sit outside with a drink at 8pm without freezing to death.
final thoughts
The whole “clocks going forward” thing might feel like an unnecessary faff, but it’s also a marker of change, one of those small seasonal shifts that help break up the year. Whether you love it or loathe it, it’s here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Just remember: last Sunday in March. One hour forward. One hour gone. A whole lot more daylight to come.
And if your oven clock stays wrong until October? Honestly, same. Until next time, eve Sleep.
