One More Hour: What the London Time Change (Clocks Go Back) Means for You Oct 2025 Guide
There’s an upside to the greyer days: an extra hour of sleep or an extra hour to use however you like. In London (and across the UK), the clocks go back this autumn on Sunday 26 October 2025 at 02:00 BST, which becomes 01:00 GMT. That rewind is the official end of British Summer Time and the return to Greenwich Mean Time. If you’re living here, visiting, or just planning the weekend this quick guide tells you what to expect, what to check, and how to turn the small disruption into a useful city-sized moment.
Why it happens (one line you can tell your friends)
Daylight saving (BST) shifts the clock so evenings enjoy more light in summer; when the clocks go back in autumn, mornings get lighter and evenings darker. It’s been the rhythm here for decades think “spring forward, fall back.” For the precise explanation, the Royal Observatory has a lovely short history if you want to nerd out.
The exact moment (so you don’t miss it)
Clocks will go back at 02:00 on Sunday 26 October 2025, which becomes 01:00. If you’re out late on Saturday night or earlier that hour between 01:00–02:00 repeats. That’s the technical bit; here’s what it means practically.
Transport: plan ahead (this matters the most for residents & visitors)
London’s public transport runs like a living organism and the clocks change nudges a few parts of it. TfL publishes planned closures and track-works for October 2025, and several lines have weekend engineering or altered services around that date. Always check TfL’s travel tools (TfL Go app / status pages) the morning you travel they update real-time advisories and alternative routes.
National Rail and many train operators also run autumn timetables or engineering work in late October; that means some services will be re-timed or replaced by buses. If you have a train booked across the weekend, check National Rail or your operator (e.g., Southeastern, Southwestern) before setting off. I’ve seen changes already posted for 25–26 Oct on multiple operator pages so double check.
Practical transport tips:
If you’re catching an early train or flight on Sunday 26 Oct, double-check times with your operator (booked tickets are still valid, but timetables may be altered).
Expect busier Tube stations early on Sunday morning give yourself extra time and use quieter stations where possible (break up long journeys).
If you rely on the Elizabeth, Piccadilly or Overground lines in west/north London, check the TfL planned track closures PDF for exact sections affected that weekend.
Work, meetings & tech: tiny changes that can trip you up
Phones and laptops generally update automatically if they’re set to automatic timezone updates but not everything does. Old alarm clocks, some ovens, microwave clocks, car dash clocks and analogue watches won’t change themselves. Before Monday morning:
Manually set alarms on analogue / travel clocks (or use your phone as a backup).
If you run scheduled social posts, international meetings, or anything with a timed send double-check that your calendar items are showing GMT for Sunday and beyond. Many calendar apps shift automatically, but it’s worth eyeballing.
If you’re on call or scheduled for a shift that overlaps the change, confirm with your employer how the hour is treated. (Most employers follow contractual arrangements for pay/shift hours check HR if unsure.)
Health & sleep use the extra hour properly
That bonus hour is an excellent excuse to sleep more, but beware of the circadian wobble that darker evenings bring. A few practical tips:
Keep your usual wake time on Monday to reduce jet-lag style drift.
Try a gentle walk in the extra morning light sunrise suddenly comes earlier and it’s glorious by the river at Greenwich. (Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park have beautiful early light; DLR or riverboat will get you there.)
If you struggle with winter blues, plan a bright daylight activity a park walk, a museum morning or a coffee in a sunlit cafe to anchor your day.
Nightlife, pubs & an “extra hour” yes, sometimes you get more time out
Because that hour repeats, venues licensed to trade past 02:00 often make a small, unofficial celebration out of it. Many pubs, bars and clubs that have late licences effectively gain an extra hour of trading but this varies by venue and by licensing rules. If a late night matters to you, check with the bar or club first; some places use that hour for special events or offers, others close early for staffing reasons. Legal insight on licensing and the effect of clock changes is covered by licensing specialists for venue operators.
For photographers, sunrise hunters and city lovers
If you’re into photos, the clocks switching back bequeath earlier sunrises and softer morning light that’s perfect for skyline and riverside photography. Good local spots:
Greenwich Park / Cutty Sark — DLR to Cutty Sark or riverboat; sunrise over the river is worth the early alarm.
Primrose Hill — get there via Chalk Farm (Northern Line) for a quiet skyline shot before the city wakes.
Tower Bridge / St Katharine Docks — easy walk from London Bridge (Northern/ Jubilee / Overground).
Early mornings are less crowded and the light is gorgeous take advantage of the extra hour and go shoot.
Events, TV schedules & daily life
TV and radio schedules will list local times in GMT from 26 Oct. If you’re meeting friends for Sunday brunch, be explicit: “meet at 10:00 GMT” or “10:00 local” avoids confusion. Also check bookings for events and guided tours — many operators update their start times for the winter schedule.
Quick checklist before lights out Saturday
✅ Confirm travel plans / check train operator & TfL updates.
✅ Set backup alarms (phone + manual clock).
✅ Manually change any household clocks that don’t auto-update.
✅ If you’re out late, agree a meet point for after the clock change (phone networks can get busy).
✅ If you run a small business, confirm shift times with staff and check payroll rules for that extra hour.
Make the extra hour matter (three easy ideas)
Sleep in and treat yourself — book a lazy brunch.
Catch an early sunrise — take a riverside walk at Greenwich or up to Primrose Hill.
Use the hour to plan — swap one hour of doomscrolling for one hour of planning your December. You’ll thank yourself.
London moves fast, and small details like the clocks can trip up even regulars. If you want practical, weekly local tips the events that matter, the quiet routes, and the tiny hacks that make life easier here come hang out with us.
Follow @london.yaar for live travel nudges, weekend plans and the little heads-ups (like this one) that save you time and keep your plans smooth.
Enjoy the extra hour whether you spend it in bed, on a bridge watching the sunrise, or with a pint in a friendly pub. Welcome back to GMT.