UK Clocks Go Back on 25 October: Sleep and Travel Checks

Public Services Desk 2026-10-20 10:06 2 min read

An ornate clock on a historic stone building in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK.

The UK clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026, ending British Summer Time and returning to Greenwich Mean Time. Check any manual clocks, give yourself time to adjust your sleep routine, and confirm journey times with your travel operator before setting off.

When the UK clocks change

At 2am on 25 October, clocks go back to 1am. The change means an extra hour on the clock that night. GOV.UK lists the UK clock change dates and confirms that clocks go back in autumn when British Summer Time ends.

Check devices and manual clocks

Phones, computers and other connected devices usually update automatically when their date, time and time-zone settings are set to update automatically. If you rely on a device for an alarm or appointment, check its time settings before bed and look at the displayed time on Sunday morning.

UK Clocks Go Back on 25 October: Sleep and Travel Checks

Clocks that are not connected to a network may need to be changed by hand. Check wall clocks, watches, car clocks, kitchen timers and any other device that does not update automatically. If you are unsure, compare it with a phone or another device showing the correct local time.

Plan for the darker mornings and evenings

After the change, daylight shifts earlier in the day by the clock, while evenings become darker sooner. This can affect when you feel ready for bed or wake up, and may change how visible you are on a morning or evening journey.

A steady bedtime and wake-up routine can make the adjustment feel more manageable. Allow extra time if you expect to travel in low light, and make sure you can see and be seen on your route.

Confirm travel times with your operator

The clock change itself does not confirm that a particular train, bus, flight or other service will change. Timetables and service arrangements are set by providers, so check directly with your operator for your journey on Sunday 25 October.

Before travelling, confirm the departure time, any connection, and whether the operator has issued a service update. Recheck close to departure in case details change. GOV.UK provides the national clock-change dates; your operator is the place to verify journey information.

Source: GOV.UK

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GOV.UK confirms the UK’s autumn clock change and that clocks go back one hour when British Summer Time ends.

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