Clocks go back only on weekends in UK? Here's Why

The end of October brings with it the annual ritual of turning back the clocks, giving us an extra hour of precious sleep. This ritual is usually done on the weekends as it minimizes disruption for schools and businesses. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the shift occurs on a Saturday night/Sunday morning to ensure the least inconvenience. This year, the change is set to happen at 2:00 AM on October 29, Sunday.

A Task for Museum Workers

In this digital age, most of us hardly notice this change, as our smartphones and devices automatically adjust. However, there's a place in the UK where this time-twisting tradition is far from simple – the Clockmakers' Museum, home to a unique and intricate collection of timepieces.


The clocks at the museum, many of which require manual winding, demand meticulous attention. Mostly done in the evening after the museum closes its doors, the job takes up to three hours to complete. Interestingly, these clocks can't be turned backward without causing damage, so they are moved forward by 23 hours.

Some clocks in the museum are so large that manually changing the time becomes a herculean task. A prime example is the Harry Potter clock on King's Cross station's Platform 8, beloved by fans of the magical series. Before its refurbishment in 2012, staff had to resort to a rather unconventional method. The power to the clock was switched off at 11:00, an hour-long pause ensued, and then the clock was powered up again.

But why do we go through this twice-a-year time change?

It traces back to World War I when the German army advanced the clocks by an hour to conserve energy. Shortly after, many European governments, including the UK, followed suit. This practice has been upheld, with the clocks shifting from British Summer Time (BST), also known as Daylight Saving Time (DST) or GMT+1, to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) every autumn.
Not all clocks in the UK experience this change. The Shepherd Gate Clock at the Greenwich Royal Observatory, the first clock to display GMT directly to the public, remains steadfast at Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year. This decision preserves an “authentic atmosphere” for visitors exploring the rich history of time.

As we fall back into Greenwich Mean Time this autumn, spare a thought for those who meticulously adjust and care for these intricate timepieces, ensuring that time marches on, even when the hour hand takes a step back. The UK will remain in GMT until March 31, 2024, when the clocks spring forward once more.

FAQs

Why do the clocks go back in the UK?
With October almost over, the days are getting shorter and shorter and winter is fast approaching. To make up for the shortening days, the clocks will go back across the UK to give us an extra hour of much-needed sunlight as we approach the darker months.

Who invented clock change?
In 1895, George Hudson, an entomologist from New Zealand, came up with the modern concept of daylight saving time. He proposed a two-hour time shift so he'd have more after-work hours of sunshine to go bug hunting in the summer.