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.

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London is not on GMT time during the summer months because it observes British Summer Time (BST). BST is a daylight saving time, moving the clock ahead by one hour to make better use of daylight.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is British Summer Time? British Summer Time (BST) is the practice of moving the clock forward by one hour during the warmer months to extend evening daylight.
  2. When does London switch to British Summer Time? London switches to British Summer Time on the last Sunday in March and returns to GMT on the last Sunday in October.
  3. Why do we use daylight saving time? Daylight saving time is used to make better use of daylight during the longer days of summer, helping to save energy and extend outdoor activities.
  4. Is there a difference between BST and GMT? Yes, BST is one hour ahead of GMT. London follows GMT during the winter months and switches to BST in the summer.

Watch More

If you're interested in how time zones affect travel, check out our other videos about global time differences and the history of daylight saving time.

  1. Is London Always GMT? Understanding Time Zones and Daylight Saving Explore why London isn't always on GMT and learn about British Summer Time.