Marking the end of Summer Time, the clocks go back in October, giving us an extra hour in bed. But why do the clocks change?On the last Sunday of October in the UK, the clocks go back by one hour.Will I lose or gain an hour in bed?
It may feel like a long time since the blue skies of summer, but the moment when the clocks go back marks the end of British Summer Time (BST). Good news - it also means an extra hour in bed.
An easy way to remember which way the clocks change is to think of the seasons: in spring the clocks ‘spring forward', while in autumn they 'fall back'.
Will my phone automatically update the time?
Most devices with internet connection, such as smartphones, computers and other digital devices should automatically update.
Will I need to change the clocks?
Some watches and clocks in cars and kitchens for example, may not change automatically, so make sure you are ready to wind back.
Curator of the Royal Observatory, Louise Devoy, explains what happens in Greenwich when the clocks change:
Actually, I have very little work to do when the clocks change! We deliberately keep most of our historic clocks on GMT all year round as they were mainly used before the first daylight saving came into effect in 1916. Visitors arriving at the Observatory in the summer are often confused by the apparent delay shown on the Shepherd Gate Clock but as Britain’s first public clock to show GMT, we’re proud to continue this tradition.
The most significant change is our Dolphin sundial which needs to be adjusted four times a year: at the solstices (June and December) and when the clocks change (March and October).
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