Sunrise & Sunset Times UK - Sun Calculator
Find sunrise, sunset, golden hour and moon times for any UK location. See the sun's direction on the map.
Enter a UK postcode or click the map to find sunrise and sunset times, golden hour windows for photography, day length, compass bearings showing the sun's direction, and moon phase data. All calculations are done in your browser using your chosen date and location - no data is sent to any server. The sun's direction is drawn on the map so you can see exactly where it rises and sets relative to buildings and landscape features - useful for property buyers checking which way a garden faces.
How to Find Sunrise and Sunset Times for Any UK Location
Our sunrise and sunset calculator makes it easy to find accurate sun times for any location in the United Kingdom. Simply enter a UK postcode, use your current location, or click anywhere on the map. The tool instantly calculates sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, golden hour windows, day length, and solar noon for your chosen date.
What makes this tool different from simple text-based calculators is the interactive map. It shows the exact compass direction of sunrise and sunset as lines on the map, so you can see at a glance which direction the sun rises and sets relative to buildings, hills, and landmarks. Use the date picker to see how the sun's position changes throughout the year.
Understanding Golden Hour for Photography
Golden hour is the short window of time just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun sits low on the horizon. The light travels through more atmosphere, scattering blue wavelengths and producing warm, golden tones with soft shadows. This creates the most flattering natural light for photography, film, and outdoor portraits.
The duration of golden hour varies by location and time of year. In the UK during summer, golden hour can last over an hour because the sun rises and sets at a shallow angle. In winter, the sun moves more steeply and golden hour is shorter. Our calculator shows the exact golden hour window for both morning and evening, so you can plan your shoots with confidence.
For landscape photographers, the compass bearing shown on the map is invaluable. Knowing exactly where the sun will rise or set lets you scout locations in advance and position yourself for the perfect shot. Change the date to plan ahead for important shoots.
Sun Direction and Property: Why It Matters
One of the most common uses for a sun direction tool is property. Whether you're buying a house, renting a flat, or planning a garden, knowing which direction the sun comes from makes a real difference. A south-facing garden in the UK gets the most sunlight throughout the day, while a north-facing garden will be in shade for much of it.
Check which rooms get morning or afternoon sun before viewing a property.
Know how much direct sunlight your garden gets for planting and landscaping.
Assess the sun's path across your roof to estimate solar panel potential.
Plan outdoor shoots by knowing exactly where and when the best light will be.
UK Daylight Hours Through the Year
The length of a day in the UK changes dramatically through the year. On the summer solstice (around 21 June), London gets about 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight, while Inverness in Scotland gets over 18 hours. On the winter solstice (around 21 December), London has just 7 hours and 50 minutes, and Inverness drops below 7 hours.
The equinoxes in March and September mark the points where day and night are roughly equal in length (about 12 hours each). Our day length calculator shows the exact hours and minutes of daylight for any date and location, helping you plan outdoor activities, understand seasonal lighting, or simply satisfy your curiosity about when the clocks change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunrise today in the UK?
Sunrise times vary depending on where you are in the UK and the time of year. In midwinter, sunrise in London is around 8:00 AM, while in midsummer it's around 4:45 AM. Use our calculator with your specific postcode for an accurate time.
What is golden hour and when does it start?
Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, producing warm, soft light. Morning golden hour runs from sunrise until roughly an hour after. Evening golden hour starts roughly an hour before sunset. The exact times depend on your location and date.
How do I find which direction the sun sets from my house?
Enter your postcode or click your location on our map. The tool draws directional lines showing the exact compass bearing of sunrise and sunset. The sunset line shows you which direction the sun sets from your position.
Why do sunrise and sunset times change throughout the year?
The Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.5 degrees. During summer, the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the Sun, giving longer days. In winter, it tilts away, giving shorter days. This effect is more pronounced further north, which is why Scotland sees bigger seasonal differences than southern England.
What is civil twilight?
Civil twilight is the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon. Dawn occurs before sunrise and dusk occurs after sunset. During civil twilight there is enough natural light for most outdoor activities without artificial lighting.
How accurate are the calculations?
The calculations use the SunCalc library, which implements standard astronomical algorithms. Times are typically accurate to within a minute or two. However, local terrain (hills, buildings) can affect when you actually see the sun appear or disappear at the horizon.
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