All about changing time
As the seasons come and go, we see many things change - from the weather and temperature to what we wear, our social activities and more. We also see the clocks change and, despite it happening annually, the difference in time often takes a lot of people by surprise.
But why do we change the clocks at all? Is it for a particular scientific reason or did somebody simply suggest we should?
Here, BBC Bitesize takes a closer look at the history of our clocks changing, how long it has been implemented and other fascinating facts you may not know. Find out more below!
Why do the clocks change?
If you've ever wondered why the clocks change, you may have thought it was for a scientific reason, possibly to do with the positioning of the Sun in summer and winter. But in fact, the idea was first entertained because some people thought that by sleeping through daylight in the summer, the day was being wasted.
British Summer Time (BST) is a period in summer when the clocks go forward by one hour, meaning we effectively get up ‘earlier’ and see more daylight. This is why it is sometimes called Daylight Saving Time.
Later in the year, the clocks go back again for the winter months. When the clocks go back, the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Who first came up with the idea of changing the time?
Benjamin Franklin - an inventor, philosopher and American political heavyweight - first proposed the idea in a letter he wrote when in Paris in 1784. In it he joked that Parisians should be roused from their slumbers an hour earlier by ringing church bells and firing cannons in the street.
The idea didn’t actually resurface until 1895, when New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson proposed to his government that the clocks should go forward by two hours every summer. He wasn’t successful.
The idea really took off when a builder called William Willett campaigned in Britain to change the clocks. It’s thought he was annoyed that his golfing would be interrupted by the sun going down, so he wanted to change the law to make sure there would be more light in the evening.
When was turning the clocks back implemented?
William Willett campaigned for the clocks to change until he died of influenza in March 1915. Willett is the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, whose band is known for many hits, including their 2002 hit entitled Clocks.
In the spring of 1916, during World War One, the German army turned the clocks forward as a way of conserving energy. Many (but not all) European governments followed suit shortly afterwards - including the UK.
Is the UK going to stop changing the clocks?
Opinions are very mixed when it comes to changing our clocks. Some people say that changing the clocks twice a year upsets the natural rhythm of sleep, which can lead to health problems.
However, others argue that if the practice stopped, darker winter mornings would be less safe, for example on the roads. Some industries such as agriculture also rely on there being lots of sunlight available to work.
In March 2019, the European Parliament voted to end the practice of changing the clocks twice a year, with member states needing to decide whether they would permanently remain on winter or summer time by the end of 2021. However, the reform was temporarily been put on hold.
As of 2026, there are currently no plans to stop changing the clocks in the UK.
When do the clocks change in 2026?
The clocks change twice a year - once forward and once back. But when are the clocks changing in 2026?
On Sunday 29 March, they went forward by an hour on 01:00. They're going back by an hour at 02:00 on Sunday 25 October, and this is sometimes considered the ‘good one,’ as you’ll have one hour more in bed.
This article was published in January 2019 and updated in May 2026
