Historical version 12 of Telephone Area Code For London (view current version)
History
Before 1989, there was one dialling code for London: 01, plain and simple. Admittedly getting particular numbers allocated was a pain, but it was due to overcrowding in the number range that the numbers were split into inner and outer London. (See the page Locale Docklands for a reference to this.)
From 1989, the dialling codes changed FOUR times:
| Date | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1989 | 01 | |
| 1989 to 1992 | 071 and 081 | |
| 1992 to 1994 | 0171 and 0181 | National codes were all changed to add 1 after the 0 |
| 1994 to 1997 | 020 with 7 or 8. | Introductory period - the previous dialling codes continued to work. Local numbers were still dialled as 7 digits, e.g. 123 4567 |
| 1997 to present | 020 |
In 1997, the exchange codes were properly reorganised to be 4 digits long, with the local number 8 digits long. It is no longer possible to determine the location of a subscriber within London based on the area code.
It can be a good indicator of how long a firm has been in business if it has a sign using one of the older dialling code conventions (and also of how much they care about their frontage).
Outer London
Some outer London boroughs are partly covered by other codes:
- 01322 Bexley (Crayford, Erith, Northumberland Heath, Slade Green, Barnes Cray, Belvedere)
- 01689 Bromley (Orpington); Croydon (New Addington)
- 01708 Havering (Romford, Rainham, Hornchurch, Upminster)
- 01895 Hillingdon (Ruislip, Uxbridge, Harefield, West Drayton, Cowley)
- 01923 Hillingdon (Northwood)
- 01959 Bromley (Biggin Hill, Cudham)