Sunrise and Sunset in London

Understanding sun times in London

The sunrise and sunset times for London on this page are computed from London's geographic coordinates (51.51° latitude, -0.13° longitude) using the standard solar geometry equations. Times are returned in UK's local time zone (Europe/London), so they automatically reflect daylight saving time when applicable.

What are dawn and dusk?

Dawn is the start of morning twilight, when the Sun is 6° below the horizon. This is when the sky first begins to lighten — useful for planning outdoor photography and travel. Dusk is the symmetrical point in the evening, marking the end of civil twilight.

Golden hour & blue hour

The golden hour—roughly the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset—produces warm, soft, low-angle light that photographers prize. The blue hour, just before sunrise and just after sunset, gives deep blue skies ideal for cityscapes and moody portraits. Both are tied to the Sun's position relative to the horizon, not to clock time.

For deep planning, see our daylight hours chart for London to see how the day length changes through the year.

Practical uses

• Photographers: plan shoots around golden hour for warm light, or blue hour for moody atmospheric shots.
• Outdoor enthusiasts: hikers, runners, and cyclists can plan their day around daylight windows.
• Travelers: know what time to expect sunset in London for evening sightseeing or restaurant reservations.
• Astronomers: use dusk-to-dawn times to plan stargazing sessions.

Related tools

• Open the full Sunrise & Sunset Calculator with the 3D globe view.
• See the shortest day of the year in London.
• See the longest day of the year in London.
• Check the moon phase calendar to coordinate sun + moon timing.