The clocks went back overnight, and for most of us that means one thing: darker evenings, starting today. By this time next month the sun will be setting at around 4pm. It's easy to write off the next few months as the gloomy bit of the year, but Brighton and Hove has plenty going on after dark in late autumn and winter. Here's what changed overnight, what it means for sunset times on the coast, and a few ideas for making the most of the longer evenings.
When did the clocks go back in 2026?
The clocks went back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026, when British Summer Time (BST) ended and we returned to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). At 2am the clocks turned back to 1am, so last night was an hour longer than usual.
Smartphones, laptops and most smart devices update by themselves. Things that often don't:
- the oven, microwave and hob clocks
- the car dashboard clock
- older alarm clocks and wall clocks
- central heating and hot water timers
- plug-in timer switches
It's worth checking the heating timer in particular, or it will come on an hour out from when you set it.
The clocks go forward again at 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027, when British Summer Time starts.
What time is sunset in Brighton now?
On Saturday 24 October, the sun set over Brighton at about 5:50pm. Today it sets at around 4:50pm, so the change takes an hour off our evenings in one go. From here it keeps getting earlier:
| Date | Approximate sunset in Brighton |
|---|---|
| Sun 25 October | 4:50pm |
| Sun 1 November | 4:35pm |
| Sun 15 November | 4:15pm |
| Mon 30 November | 4:00pm |
| Mid-December | just before 4pm (the earliest of the year) |
Times are approximate and rounded. The earliest sunsets come in mid-December, a little before the shortest day on 21 December. After that, the evenings slowly start to draw out again.
Making the most of darker evenings in Brighton and Hove
Shorter days don't have to mean staying in every night. A lot of what makes Brighton special happens around dusk.
Watch the starlings at the piers
Brighton's starling murmurations are one of the best free things to see in the city in winter. Most winter evenings, large flocks of starlings fly in from the Sussex countryside to roost under the piers. Before they settle, they swoop and swirl over the sea in huge, shifting shapes.
Brighton & Hove City Council says you can watch from anywhere along the seafront between the Palace Pier and the West Pier, or from the Palace Pier itself. The displays are usually biggest from November to February, around dusk. Sussex Wildlife Trust suggests arriving about half an hour before sunset. Now that the clocks have gone back, that means the middle of the afternoon rather than the evening. No two nights are the same, and some evenings the birds simply fly straight in, so count a big display as a bonus.
Take a late-afternoon seafront walk
The promenade from Hove Lawns to the Palace Pier is flat, lit and easy to walk after dark. With sunset before 5pm, a walk after a late lunch catches the light going down over the sea. On a clear day the sky over the West Pier turns orange and pink.
Head up to the Downs for the sunset (and back before dark)
For a wider view, Devil's Dyke and Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs both look out over the Weald and are popular for autumn sunsets. If you go, plan to be back on the path before it gets fully dark. Check the weather, wear shoes with grip (the chalk gets slippery when it's wet), and take a torch or a charged phone.
Mark the big dates in the calendar
- Bonfire Night, Thursday 5 November. There are organised firework displays around Sussex. Lewes Bonfire is famous, but the official advice from the councils, police and fire service is that people who don't live in Lewes shouldn't travel in. There are road closures from 4:45pm, and trains aren't expected to stop at Lewes or nearby stations from 5pm. If you're not local to Lewes, look for an organised display nearer home.
- Burning the Clocks, Monday 21 December. Brighton's winter solstice lantern parade, run by the local charity Same Sky, ends with lanterns burned on the beach below Madeira Drive. Same Sky took a fallow year in 2025 and has said it will return in full in 2026. It's free to watch. Check Same Sky's own announcements for times and the route nearer the date.
A cosy night in
On the nights you'd rather stay in, a hot drink is half the fun of a dark evening. If you fancy trying something new, our guide on how to make matcha at home covers ceremonial and culinary matcha, the kit and a simple matcha latte method. We don't sell matcha at the moment. The guide is just for making it at home. Matcha contains caffeine, so check the pack if you're keeping an eye on how much you have.
Otherwise, it's the time of year for:
- a proper hot chocolate, made with milk on the hob
- a pot of loose-leaf tea and a long book
- a slow-cooked stew or soup that fills the kitchen with steam
- a candle or two (never leave them burning unattended)
Frequently asked questions
Did the clocks go forward or back in October?
Back. In October the clocks go back one hour, and we gain an extra hour. In March they go forward one hour, and we lose an hour. "Spring forward, fall back" is the easy way to remember it.
What time did the clocks go back?
At 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026, the clocks went back to 1am.
When do the clocks go forward in 2027?
At 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027, when British Summer Time starts again.
When is the best time to see the Brighton starlings?
Usually from November to February, around dusk. Aim to arrive about 30 minutes before sunset and watch from the seafront between the two piers, or from the Palace Pier.
From all of us at Legally Green
Legally Green is a small independent business based in Brighton and Hove, and we love this city in every season. For more guides, have a look at our blog. If you have a question about anything on our site, get in touch or email legallygreenuk@gmail.com.