UK Clocks Go Back on 1 November: Check Your Timers

PS Public Services Desk 2026-10-28 11:02 3 min read

British Summer Time ends at 2am on Sunday 1 November 2026, when clocks in the United Kingdom go back one hour to 1am. You gain an extra hour by the clock, but alarms, heating schedules and travel plans may need attention; check how each device handles the change before going to bed on Saturday.

When the clocks change in the UK

The clock change happens overnight on Saturday 31 October into Sunday 1 November. GOV.UK confirms that clocks go back from 2am to 1am, marking the end of British Summer Time. The hour between 1am and 2am occurs twice, so overnight schedules can behave differently depending on the device and its settings.

Check alarms, heating and appliance timers

There is no single rule for every clock or connected device. Phones and computers configured to use the correct UK time zone typically update automatically, but check the time zone and automatic date-and-time settings if you rely on them. Standalone clocks, older appliances and manually set controls may need changing by hand.

Before Saturday night, check:

• Alarms: Confirm the displayed time and the next alarm on bedside clocks, watches and any device you use to wake up. Check a phone’s time zone and automatic time settings if you are unsure.
• Heating: Look at the clock and schedule on your thermostat or heating controller. Some connected systems update automatically; others may keep the old time or follow a schedule that needs adjusting. Check the maker’s instructions for your model.
• Appliances: Review timers on ovens, plug-in switches, lighting and other equipment. If they use a manually set clock, reset it and confirm the next scheduled action.
• Sunday plans: Check appointments and bookings shown in a calendar or ticketing app, and confirm times with anyone relying on a manually maintained schedule.

If you are unsure whether a device changes automatically, compare its displayed time with a phone set to UK time after the change. Avoid assuming that a timer or heating schedule has updated just because another device has.

Plan for darker evenings and journeys

After the clocks go back, evenings get darker earlier by the clock. Allow extra time for Sunday journeys and check transport or appointment information with the relevant operator or organiser, particularly if a service runs overnight or a timetable refers to the repeated hour.

If walking after dark, choose well-lit routes where possible and make sure you can be seen. When driving, allow time to adjust to darker conditions, keep your windscreen clear and watch for pedestrians and cyclists. The clock change itself does not confirm any change to a particular service, so check its current timetable before setting off.

On Sunday morning, a quick check of your phone, alarm, heating control and any appliance with a timer can help catch a device that still shows the old time.

Source: GOV.UK

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Source check Date and time

GOV.UK confirms that clocks go back from 2am to 1am on Sunday 1 November 2026.

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• Clock change date
• Clock change time
• End of British Summer Time

Source

• GOV.UK

GOV.UK Check UK clock change details

Source

GOV.UK

Scope

United Kingdom

Updated

2026-10-28 11:02

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