Why Does London Change Time Zones? Understanding GMT and BST

Discover why London switches from GMT to BST and the importance of Daylight Saving Time.

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London uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during winter, but switches to British Summer Time (BST), which is GMT+1, during the summer months. This practice, known as Daylight Saving Time, is designed to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)? Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a time standard that was once used globally, which sets the time at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, London.
  2. Why does London observe Daylight Saving Time? London observes Daylight Saving Time to make better use of daylight during the longer summer days, shifting the clock forward by one hour.
  3. What is the difference between GMT and BST? GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is used during the winter, while BST (British Summer Time) is GMT+1, used in the summer months.
  4. When does London switch to British Summer Time? London typically switches to British Summer Time on the last Sunday in March and reverts to GMT on the last Sunday in October.

Watch More

If you found this information about London's time changes interesting, you might also enjoy our videos on the history of timekeeping and the effects of Daylight Saving Timeglobally.

  1. Why Does London Observe British Summer Time Instead of GMT? Discover why London switches to British Summer Time (BST) and what it means for timekeeping during summer months.
  2. Why London Follows British Summer Time: Understanding UTC Adjustments Explore why London is not always on UTC and the significance of British Summer Time adjustments.
  3. Is London Always GMT? Understanding Time Zones and Daylight Saving Explore why London isn't always on GMT and learn about British Summer Time.
  4. Understanding London's Time Zone: Is London GMT? Discover if London follows GMT and learn about its seasonal time changes.