How to use the online alarm clock
While preparing to finish a National Trail route before daylight fades, set the 4:01 pm alarm before you reach the section where you will need it. Use the remaining time to check the OS map, identify the final turn-off and note where the path meets a road. A signal at 5:00 pm can mark the point when continuing needs to give way to the planned return route.
Because this route depends on a later warning, leave the alarm page open after setting it and keep the browser available. If you close the tab or browser, or your phone goes to sleep, the alarm will not sound and the route could continue beyond the intended turning point. Check the volume beforehand, avoid silent mode and keep enough charge for the screen and alert until the walk is finished.
As the route enters its late-afternoon stretch, a bright screen can feel harsh against softer outdoor light and make map details awkward to read. Lower the display brightness to match the surroundings, switch to a warmer colour setting if available and enlarge the map before moving on. At 4:01 pm, checking those settings under open sky is easier than adjusting them later beneath trees or in gathering dusk.
Common questions
Do I need an account or an app?
Neither. Choose a time and a sound, press Start, and it runs in this browser tab. Nothing is downloaded, nothing is registered, and closing the page leaves nothing behind on the device.
Can I change the sound?
Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
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