UK STD CODE 20

020 is the STD code for Greater London in the United Kingdom.

Coverage

The code does not cover all of the Greater London area, with some sections covered by adjacent codes. In some places the 020 code extends beyond the London boundary. The code covers an area larger than the London postal district with most places within 12 miles of Charing Cross covered by the code.

Completely covered by 020

The City of London and the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth and the City of Westminster are more or less completely covered by the code.

Partly covered by other codes

Outside London partly covered by 020

• Essex - Epping Forest
• Hertfordshire - Hertsmere
• Surrey - Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell

Sub ranges

History

020 replaced the 0171 and 0181 codes on 22 April 2000, after a period of dual-running which began 1 June 1999. Before May 1990 there had been a single area code of 01 which covered the same area as the current 020 code. Before this date the three digits after the code indicated the geographic area the number was located. e.g. 01-222 1234 was a number in Westminster, and 01-946 1234 was in Wimbledon. However, more than one sub-code was usually overlaid for each area such that all Wimbledon numbers did not necessarily begin 01-946.

Between 1922 and 1966 the three digit sub-codes each corresponded to one area and were represented by letters by way of a mnemonic. The first exchange to become part of the London Director telephone system was Holborn. The numbers were written as ABBey 1234 and WIMbledon 1234. The system of mnemonics was withdrawn with the transition to all-figure dialling.

See also

• 0207 & 0208

External links

• List of exchanges in 1966