Every year towards the end of March, as Spring officially begins, the clocks change and with it, we get a little bit more daylight. Known as British Summer Time, we’ll get to enjoy longer days, lighter evenings and hopefully a bit of an uplift in the weather.
After a snowy, wet and cold winter, many will be eagerly awaiting the Spring weather. Spring officially starts today, March 20, but we have to wait a few more days for the change to our clocks.
Here’s everything you need to know about the change.
Read more: Popeyes Metrocentre launches new menu by treating 50 customers to a free breakfast
When do the clocks change?
In the Spring, clocks change by an hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March. At this point, the clocks “spring forward” by one hour.
That means that the change falls on Sunday, March 26.
Why do the clocks change?
According to The Royal Museum Greenwich, the practice of changing the clocks began in the early 20th century. “The original campaign attempted to argue that by changing the clocks during the summer people in the northern hemisphere could make more use of the earlier daylight hours.”
It says that William Willett, an early promoter of British Summer Time and the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay singer Chris Martin, suggested changing the clocks by 80 minutes in four separate moves. The Government at the time decided that Willett’s proposal was too complicated, however, a year later they established the practice of putting the clocks forward an hour during the summer.
The decision to change the clocks over a weekend on a Saturday night into Sunday morning was made in order to have the least disruption for schools and businesses. To maximise the benefit of having extra daylight, the change matches the warmest and longest days of the year.
Read next:
Kynren confirms summer dates for return of 'UK’s biggest live action show'
Tasty new takeaway venue comes to Whitley Bay as Bean & Bite opens on Park View
Giovanna Fletcher visits Whitley Bay haunt that's a celeb favourite between Theatre Royal shows
Hozier announces Newcastle date on huge UK tour - his first in four years
Beverley Knight announces biggest ever UK tour in 2023 including date at Gateshead Sage
