When do the clocks go forward in 2024? - When to change them, when Spring starts and why

When does Spring start in 2024?

The clocks will change next month to mark the start of British Summer Time (BST) however summer itself is still quite a long time away. Astronomically, spring begins on Wednesday, March 20 and lasts through to May while summer begins in June and will last until August.

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Here's what you need to know about the clocks changing:

When do the clocks go forward in 2024?

The clocks will go forward on Sunday, March 31 at 1am – so that will become 2am. This means we will lose an hour in bed but will have daylight for longer in the evening.

When do the clocks go back in 2024?

The clocks will remain on BST until autumn and are set to go back at 2am on Sunday, October 27 – which will become 1am.

What is the best way to remember which way the clocks change?

There is a handy phrase to help you remember which way to change the clocks which goes ‘spring forward, fall back’ – fall being the American way of saying autumn.

Will I have to change the time on my mobile phone?

Most modern smartphones such as iPhones or android models will automatically update at 1am on March 31 to the correct time – so when you wake up it will be on the correct time. However if you or a relative have an older phone you may have to change the time manually.

What about the clock in my car?

More recent models will likely update automatically, however if you’re car is a bit older you may have to change the clock manually. You will also likely have to manually change the time on household appliances with clocks – such as ovens or older TV sets.

What is British Summer Time?

British Summer Time is when the clocks go one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. It was introduced to give more light in the evening and less on the mornings. BST and the clocks going forward was introduced in 1916 after a campaign by builder William Willett. It was introduced via the Summer Time Act 1916 passed in Parliament.

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Willett’s original idea was to move the clocks forward by 80 minutes, in 20-minute weekly steps on Sundays in April and then reversing this procedure in September. It is said that he got the idea after riding his horse one morning in summer and noticing how many blinds were still down. William Willett died in 1915 before he lived to see BST introduced.