The start of autumn was marked by the Autumn equinox on Sunday, September 21, ushering in cooler temperatures and a change in colors that many are embracing. The longest day of the year, signifying the start of summer, occurred on June 21, and daylight hours have been gradually decreasing since then. This pattern will continue until the winter solstice on Sunday, December 21, officially commencing winter with the shortest hours of sunlight. In October, the clocks will be turned back, leading to brighter mornings but earlier sunsets.

Currently, in London, sunset begins just before 7 pm, but as autumn progresses, the sun will set earlier each day. On October 26, the day the clocks change, sunset in London is expected around 4.44 pm. Sunset times vary across the UK, with residents of Lowestoft, an easternmost part, witnessing the sun setting around 4.35 pm on October 26. In County Fermanagh, one of the westernmost parts of Northern Ireland, the sun will not set before 5 pm until October 30.

Regardless of location in the UK, the days are growing shorter, with daylight starting around 7 am instead of 8 am.