What time does it get dark in the UK?

UK sunset times vary hugely by season and latitude. In midsummer (June), sunset in southern England is around 21:15 and in northern Scotland around 22:00. In midwinter (December), sunset is around 15:50 in the south and 15:30 in Scotland. Civil twilight (enough light to see without a torch) lasts about 30 minutes after sunset.

How does latitude affect sunset time?

The UK spans from about 50°N (Cornwall) to 59°N (Shetland). In summer, northern Scotland gets up to 2 hours more daylight than southern England. In winter, the reverse is true — Scotland has significantly shorter days. This difference is critical for winter hillwalking planning.

Should I plan my hike around sunset?

Yes, always. Plan to finish your hike at least 30 minutes before sunset in summer and 1 hour before in winter (paths are harder to follow in fading light). In winter, start early — a 6-hour hike starting at 09:00 may finish at 15:00, giving only 30 minutes of daylight in northern UK.

What is civil twilight?

Civil twilight is the period after sunset when there is still enough ambient light to see without artificial lighting. It typically lasts 30-40 minutes in the UK. After civil twilight comes nautical twilight (dim but visible horizon) and then astronomical twilight (effectively dark). Always carry a head torch regardless of your planned finish time.

CampCalcs

Sunset Time Calculator

Estimate sunrise and sunset times based on date and UK latitude.

Month

Latitude

UK: 50-59°N

How We Calculate This

Solar Calculation

Declination = 23.45 x sin(360/365 x (day - 81))

Hour angle = arccos(-tan(lat) x tan(declination))

Daylight hours = 2 x Hour angle / 15

Note: These are approximate solar times. Actual clock times vary with longitude and BST/GMT.

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.