Is London GMT or GMT 1?

By Alice Nichols

When it comes to time zones, there can be a lot of confusion. One common question many people ask is whether London is on GMT or GMT+1. The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think, so let’s take a closer look.

What is GMT?

First, let’s define GMT. GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time and is the time zone that is used as a reference point for all other time zones in the world. It is based on the mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

Is London on GMT?

Yes, London is on GMT. This means that when it’s noon in London, it’s also noon in cities like Dublin and Lisbon, which are also on GMT.

Is London on GMT+1?

This is where things get a bit more complicated. During the summer months (usually from late March to late October), the UK observes British Summer Time (BST), which is one hour ahead of GMT. So during this time, London would technically be on GMT+1.

How does BST work?

BST starts at 1:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on the last Sunday in March and ends at 1:00 AM GMT (2:00 AM BST) on the last Sunday in October each year.

Why do we have BST?

The purpose of BST is to make better use of daylight and save energy. By moving our clocks forward by one hour during the summer months, we can enjoy longer evenings with more sunlight.

In Conclusion

So to summarize, London is typically on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), but during British Summer Time (BST) it switches to GMT+1. It’s important to keep this in mind if you’re traveling or scheduling appointments across time zones.

  • Tip: If you’re unsure about the time difference between London and another city, use an online time zone converter to double-check.

Remember, whether you’re on GMT or GMT+1, London is a great place to visit and explore all year round.