British Summer Time (BST) is observed by the UK during summer, reducing morning sunlight while increasing evening brightness.
On the last Sunday in March and the final Sunday in October, clocks are advanced one hour to mark “clock change”. This system of time zones in the UK involves both GMT and BST timezones which is complex enough without adding this extra step!
Greenwich Mean Time
The UK operates on Greenwich Mean Time all year round, except during British Summer Time which runs from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October and sees clocks adjusted one hour ahead of GMT; during this period clocks become set one hour ahead, creating BST. Furthermore, as part of the European Union (EU), Britain abides by EU Daylight Saving Time rules.
Greenwich Mean Time was historically defined as solar time at noon; today however, Coordinated Universal Time or UTC serves as the global standard that defines time relative to other time zones, astronomical events, and geographic locations.
As the founding location for GMT, Greenwich Royal Observatory remains at the epicenter of global timekeeping and is home to its iconic Prime Meridian line – established centuries ago to define all other time zones from this single point.
GMT first made its first appearance in England and Wales railway companies’ timetables beginning in the late 19th century, adopting it to show when trains departed and arrived from Greenwich station each morning and afternoon. Many towns and cities fought the move towards GMT; councillors and city fathers debated over whether railway company time or local time should prevail; especially Exeter Cathedral Dean Michael Kean was especially fierce against its introduction. A compromise eventually was reached; clocks with two minute hands were installed with one showing railway time while one displayed local time – eventually clocks were fitted with two minute hands showing both ways displaying each timezone simultaneously – eventually reaching agreement on which would prevailed and clocks were equipped with both minute hands simultaneously to display both.
In the UK, GMT is typically indicated by a series of pips displayed during BBC Radio 4’s “six o’clock news” broadcast; announcers refer to it either by the letters BST or GMT; if time changes have already taken effect they may refer to “natural time”. Big Ben at Westminster Palace stands as an iconic reminder of GMT in Britain – every year when clocks go back an hour at midnight on 27 October clockmakers from Westminster undertake an intricate process of setting its great clock correctly with precision precision.
British Summer Time
British Summer Time, commonly referred to as BST, is the practice of moving clocks forward one hour each summer to maximize sunlight utilization. BST is widely practiced throughout much of Britain as well as some areas in Europe; its time zone lies one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). BST began at the turn of the 20th century after builder William Willett led a campaign to advance clocks during spring and summer periods; first introduced with the Summer Time Act in 1916.
Recently, however, this idea has been revived by MPs and groups during the coronavirus lockdown when many were forced into their homes for extended periods. Conservative MP Rebecca Harris introduced a private member’s bill in 2010-2011 calling on the government to produce a cost benefit report on year-round BST (or double summer time), though her bill met much resistance before ultimately being defeated by parliamentarians.
Supporters of year-round BST argue it would stimulate the economy by aligning UK time zones with continental Europe and making business hours more compatible, as well as improving health and well-being by offering longer evenings for outdoor activities. A poll conducted by YouGov showed 41% in favour of year-round BST implementation while 33% opposed it.
Opponents of the change claim it interferes with sleep patterns and increases heart attacks and traffic accidents. Furthermore, switching from GMT+2 in winter to BST in summer causes confusion for tourists visiting from outside and could potentially result in lost trade opportunities. According to research done by Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents it would save about 80 lives each year by adopting one time zone year-round.
However, it would be impossible for the UK Parliament to unilaterally decide to stop clock changes; Northern Ireland has the power to legislate on the matter; but Westminster shows no enthusiasm for altering their system.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time in the United Kingdom typically runs from the last Sunday in March until the final Sunday in October, beginning at 1am when clocks are moved forward by one hour to allow more daylight in evenings and less in mornings (also known as British Summer Time or BST).
DST was first proposed by New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson, who worked shifts and valued his after-hours free time collecting insects. But its implementation gained steam in Britain due to builder William Willett (great-grandson of Coldplay’s Chris Martin) campaigning for it starting in 1907. Willett believed people leaving their blinds down on bright mornings near his Kent home were “wasting daylight”, writing pamphlets detailing this perception as well as setting his Sundial in Petts Wood to set to DST as an homage.
DST was used briefly during World War One to save fuel, and then again in 1941 during an emergency plan due to fuel shortage; during this period the UK observed double DST (2 hours ahead of GMT). Since 1972, Britain has implemented regular twice-yearly clock changes which we now take for granted.
Today, most countries around the globe observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), including all European nations as well as North America including United States, Canada, Mexico Australia and New Zealand. Iceland Turkey Russia are exceptions; each has their own reasons for not adhering to DST.
However, there remains a debate as to whether DST should be abolished or not. Supporters claim it saves energy, reduces road traffic accidents and allows farmers to work their land longer; opponents contend it creates jet lag, disrupts sleeping patterns and can lead to health problems like seasonal affective disorder. Recently the British Sleep Society recommended clocks remain constant all year round in spite of DST debate outcomes; regardless of any decision on this front it seems inevitable that twice-yearly clock changes will continue for some time to come.
Time zones
When meeting with someone in the UK, it’s essential that you understand their timezones. GMT during standard time and British Summer Time (BST) during daylight saving time are used – meaning one hour ahead of European and four hours behind United States times zones respectively. As a result, world clocks and calendars should be used when communicating with individuals there.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), established during the 1884 International Meridian Conference and named for the Royal Observatory located in Greenwich Borough in London borough, corresponds to Coordinated Universal Time plus one. GMT was adopted worldwide due to legislation issued by British government; an astronomical time scale which bases itself off observations of Sun, Moon and planets is utilized.
At the beginning of the 19th century, local towns set their own schedules based on sunrise/set times, weather conditions and local customs. Following the introduction of railways in Britain, GMT became its national standard time. Greenwich’s Shepherd master clock became the center of its timekeeping system by sending signals via telegraph wire to London and other major cities for accurate scheduling as well as helping create modern shipping and aviation.
The UK is one of only a few countries to observe Daylight Saving Time, also known as Summer Time or BST. Their timezone switches from GMT to BST on the last Sunday in March, then back again by October – allowing people to enjoy longer evenings during summer while simultaneously cutting energy consumption.
Europe generally lies one hour ahead of GMT; Iceland and Finland lie two hours ahead; while most of central Europe (aside from Greece and parts of eastern Germany) follows suit at one hour ahead.
Large countries like Australia can have multiple time zones; smaller nations usually only have one. Knowing your country’s time zones is essential if traveling internationally; having an understanding of each time zone will ensure smooth sailing during your travels.