Spring forward

When do the clocks go forward?

Sunday 28 March 2027

The clocks next go forward one hour on Sunday 28 March 2027 at 01:00 GMT, starting British Summer Time. You lose one hour of sleep, and evenings gain an hour of daylight.

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Spring clock change (BST begins)
YearClocks go forward — last Sunday of March, 01:00 GMT
2026Sunday 29 March 2026
2027Sunday 28 March 2027
2028Sunday 26 March 2028
2029Sunday 25 March 2029
2030Sunday 31 March 2030
2031Sunday 30 March 2031
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What actually happens when the clocks spring forward?

Direct answer. At exactly 01:00 GMT on the last Sunday of March, UK clocks move straight to 02:00 BST. The hour between 01:00 and 02:00 simply doesn’t exist that night.

From that moment the UK is on British Summer Time (UTC+1), one hour ahead of GMT, until the last Sunday of October. Internet-connected devices update themselves; manual clocks need a nudge.

Key fact: Spring forward = lose 1 hour. 01:00 GMT becomes 02:00 BST on the last Sunday of March.

Related

FAQ

Do you lose or gain an hour when the clocks go forward?

You lose an hour. At 01:00 the clocks jump to 02:00, so that Sunday is only 23 hours long and you get one hour less sleep.

What time do the clocks go forward?

At 01:00 GMT, which immediately becomes 02:00 BST. It always happens on the last Sunday of March.

Why do the clocks go forward in spring?

To move an hour of daylight from the early morning, when most people are asleep, to the evening, when they can use it. More on why →