The nineteen BT Telephone Exchanges (and twenty-three formers) in the Bristol (0117) telephone area
The STD code for Bristol was previously 0272, on 16 April 1995 this changed to 0117 with a 9
prefixed to the subscriber’s number. For example: 0272 231234 changed to 0117 923 1234.
Bristol played a significant role in the development of the telephone service in Britain. In December 1879, less than four months after the first telephone exchange in the country was opened, Bristol got one, too. The first central battery exchange in Europe was opened here in 1900. And in 1958, subscribers on the Bristol Central exchange were the first in the country to be able to dial their own trunk calls after Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the service on 5 December. Picture: BT Archives.
Several exchanges from the city’s ‘ring’ – 01275  have been moved into the Bristol numbering group, and some out again. Whitchurch formed part of the 1931 linked numbering scheme, was removed from the group in the late 1940s, came back on 22 October 1975 and was returned to the Clevedon group on 9 October 1991 along with Chew Magna, Portishead and Clevedon itself.
Abson ATE
Abson Telephone Exchange is in Abson Road, Pucklechurch, Bristol BS16 9SD and serves an area including Abson, Wick and Pucklechurch. It came into service at 1.30pm on 20 October 1971, replacing a UAX13. The first Abson exchange – location unknown – was an RAX5 opened in November 1931. It became part of the Bristol linked numbering scheme in 1992 and was converted to digital working on 28 April 1993.The telephone codes for this exchange are 0117-9371, 0117-9372, 0117-9373 and 0117-9374.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 027 582.
ID: SSABS. Photo courtesy of Bill Liebow.
Avonmouth ATE
Avonmouth telephone exchange is in St Brendan’s Way, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9EZ and was built in 1955. It also serves an area including Shirehampton and Lawrence Weston.
At 7.30am on Tuesday 7 November 1978 Avonmouth was taken out of the Clevedon group of exchanges and lines became Avonmouth (0272) 82**** numbers.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 0117-9235, 0117-9379, 0117-9380, 0117-9381, 0117-9382, 0117-9383, 0117-9384, 0117-9385, 0117-9386, 0117-9387, 0117-9802 and 0117-982.
Its former dialling code was 027 52.
ID: SSAVO. Photo courtesy of Colin Kerrigan.
Avonmouth former Exchange
The former Avonmouth exchange was above the old post office in Avonmouth Road, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9EG.
It was opened to replace an earlier magneto exchange, on Saturday 10 September 1927.
An automatic exchange came into service around 1956, possibly on the same site. The building later became a police station and is now flats.
The dialling code of the automatic exchange was 0275 2.
ID: SSAVO
Picture: Courtesy of Goodman and Lilley estate agents
Avonmouth former Manual Exchange
The former Avonmouth manual exchange was at 16 Meadow Street, now 12 Meadow Street, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9AR.
The first Avonmouth exchange was opened around 1890. This magneto exchange closed in 1927 when it was replaced by the new switchboard in Avonmouth post office.
Picture: Courtesy of BT Archives.
Bedminster ATE
Bedminster telephone exchange is in Sheene Road, Bristol BS3 4EG and serves an area to the south-west of central Bristol including Bedminster, Southville and Victoria Park.
The original exchange – the first two storeys of the building in the foreground – came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with subscribers given Bristol 63*** and 64*** numbers.
Under plans to create a director system for Bristol, proposed in the late 1940s, it was suggested lines becoming four-digit BEDminster numbers.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9231, 0117-9341, 0117-9449, 0117-9530, 0117-9531, 0117-9532, 0117-9533, 0117-9534, 0117-9535, 0117-9536, 0117-9537, 0117-9538, 0117-9539 and 0117-963.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSBED. Photo courtesy of Neil Owen.
Bishopston former Manual Exchange (1)
The first former Bishopston telephone exchange was at 307 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol (now BS7 8PE).
It was opened by the National Telephone Company around 1893 when the building was apparently a private house. It 1895 it moved to 195 Gloucester Road. The original exchange is now the Waeshous laundrette.
Photo courtesy of Waeshous.
Bishopston former Manual Exchange (2)
The second former Bishopston telephone exchange was at 195 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol (now BS7 8BG).
The exchange was opened here in 1895 in what was then the shop of Amos J Wills, tea dealer and grocer. It closed around 1902 when the subscribers’ lines were transferred to the new Central exchange. It is now a betting shop.
Photo courtesy of The Move Market.
Bishopsworth ATE
Bishopsworth telephone exchange is in Cater Road, Bristol BS13 7UH and serves south west Bristol including Bishopsworth, Withywood and Bedminster Down.
It came into service in the mid-1970s.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9356, 0117-9357, 0117-9358, 0117-9359, 0117-9370, 0117-9443, 0117-9465, 0117-964 and 0117-978.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSBIS. Photo courtesy of Jaimin Tankaria.
Bitton ATE
Bitton telephone exchange is at 12 Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HZ and also covers an area including Longwell Green and Oldland Common.
The first exchange here was a UAX7, which opened in the mid-1930s and seen on the right. It is now a private house.
On 20 May 1985, the current exchange became part of the Bristol linked numbering scheme, with lines changed to Bitton (0272) 82**** numbers.
The telephone code for this exchange is 0117-932.
Its former dialling code was 027 588.
ID: SSBIT. Photo courtesy of Jaggery.
Bitton former Manual Exchange
The former Bitton manual telephone exchange was at Rose Cottage, now 135 High Street, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HQ.
It was opened by the National Telephone Company on 30 July 1907. It may have continued in use until the first Bitton automatic exchange was brought into service in the mid-1930s.
The former manual exchange is now a private house again.
Picture (April 1910): Courtesy of BT Archives.
Brislington former Manual Exchange
The former Brislington telephone exchange was at 4 Wick Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4HB.
It was opened by the National Telephone Company in March 1906 and closed in the autumn of 1924 when its lines were taken over by the Bristol Central exchange (although some lines retained the name Brislington – as a ‘hypothetical’ exchange – until automation of the Central exchange in 1931). It is now a private house again.
Picture: (1910) Courtesy of BT Archives.
Bristol Central former Manual Exchange
The former Bristol Central manual exchange stood in Telephone Avenue, Bristol (now BS1 4BH).
Europe’s first central battery exchange, built by Western Electric, was opened here by the National telephone Company on Easter Sunday 15 April 1900.
It replaced the NT company’s first exchange in The High Street as well as small exchanges which had been opened in the preceding decade at Bishopston, St George’s and Clifton.
It continued to operate until automation in 1931.
Picture: Courtesy of BT Archives.
Bristol North ATE
Bristol North telephone exchange is at 199 Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5QX and serves the area to the north of the city centre including Montpelier and Redland.
It came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with subscribers given Bristol 44*** to 46*** numbers. Under plans to create a director system for Bristol, proposed in the late 1940s, it was suggested Bristol North lines becoming four-digit REDland numbers. Photographed around the time of opening, it later had another storey and further extensions added.
Its telephone code is 0117-9.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSNOR. Picture circa 1931: Â Courtesy of BT Archives.
Bristol Redcliffe (Central) ATE
Bristol Redcliffe exchange is in Telephone Avenue, Bristol BS1 4BH and covers the city centre area of Bristol.
Originally known as Bristol (Central) or simply Bristol exchange, it was built as an extension to the National Telephone Company building of 1900 to house the automatic equipment supplied by ATE.
It came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with subscribers given Bristol 20*** to 25*** numbers. Pictured around 1931, it has since been extended.
Under plans to create a director system for Bristol, proposed in the late 1940s, it was suggested Bristol Central lines becoming four-digit CENtral or COLston numbers.
Its telephone code is 0117-9.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSRED. Picture circa 1931: Courtesy of BT Archives.
Bristol South ATE
Bristol South telephone exchange is at 142A Bath Road, Totterdown, Bristol BS4 3EF and serves an area including Brislington, Knowle, Totterdown, St Anne’s and St Philip’s.
The first auto exchange on the site came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with subscribers given Bristol 76*** and 77*** numbers. Under plans to create a director system for Bristol, proposed in the late 1940s, it was suggested Bristol South lines becoming four-digit TOTterdown numbers.
A new extension across Park Street was built in the late 1960s. It was converted to digital working on 22 November 1989.
Its telephone code is 0117-9.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSSOU. Photo courtesy of Jaggery .
Bristol West ATE
Bristol West telephone exchange is in St John’s Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2EU and mainly covers the Clifton area.
It came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with subscribers given Bristol 33*** to 36*** numbers. Under plans to create a director system for Bristol, proposed in the late 1940s, it was suggested Bristol West lines becoming four-digit CLIfton Down numbers.
An extension fronting Alma Road was built in the 1970s despite protests from residents who opposed the demolition of two houses.
Its telephone code is 0117-9.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSWES. Picture (of the switchroom about 1931): Courtesy of BT Archives.
Clifton former Manual exchange
The former Clifton manual exchange was at 27 Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol (now BS8 2BL).
It was opened by The Telephone Company Ltd and came into service in June 1881. Its lines were taken over by the new Central exchange and it closed around the end of 1901. It is once again a private house.
Photo courtesy of Bill Liebow.
Downend ATE
Downend telephone exchange is located in Downend Road, Bristol BS16 5UJ and also covers an area including Mangotsfield.
The contract to build it was awarded to EA Bicknell and Sons in 1967. With an initial capacity of 4000 lines, it mainly took over lines previously served by Fishponds exchange. It was converted to digital working on 4 October 1989.
Its telephone codes include 0117-956, 0117-957, 0117-9701, 0117-9702, 0117-9708 and 0117-9709.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSDOW. Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Easton ATE
Easton telephone exchange is situated in Clarence Road, Bristol BS2 0NR and covers an area including Easton, St Philip’s and Lawrence Hill.
It came into service in the 1980s to replace the former Easton auto exchange next door.
It was converted to digital working on 4 February 1994.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9350, 0117-9351, 0117-9411, 0117-9412, 0117-9413, 0117-9414, 0117-9415, 0117-9540, 0117-9341, 0117-9342, 0117-9343, 0117-9548 and 0117-955.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSEAS. Photo courtesy of Neil Owen.
Easton former ATE
The former Easton telephone exchange is in Clarence Road, Bristol BS2 0NR.
It came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with subscribers given Bristol 56*** and 57*** numbers. Under plans to create a director system for Bristol, proposed in the late 1940s, it was suggested lines becoming four-digit EASton or LAWrence Hill numbers.
It was replaced by the current Easton and Eastville exchanges and has since been converted into flats.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSEAS. Picture: Courtesy of Rightmove.
Eastville ATE
Eastville telephone exchange is in Fishponds Road, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6SF and covers Eastville and the surrounding area.
It was opened by Bristol North East MP Arthur Palmer on Weds 7 March 1979, eventually taking lines from four adjacent exchange areas including 2000 from Easton.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9354, 0117-9355, 0117-951, 0117-9520, 0117-9521, 0117-9522, 0117-9523, 0117-9524, 0117-9524, 0117-9525, 0117-9526 and 0117-9527.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSEAV. Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Filton ATE
Filton telephone exchange is at 96 Gloucester Road North, Filton, Bristol BS34 7PF and also covers an area including Cribbs Causeway and Stoke Gifford.
It came into service around 1945, replacing a manual exchange. It became part of the Bristol linked numbering scheme around 1960. It was converted to digital working on December 7 1994.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9228, 0117-9229, 0117-9236, 0117-931, 0117-933, 0117-936, 0117-9436, 0117-9448, 0117-9470, 0117-9528, 0117-969, 0117-9749 and 0117-979.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSFLT. Photo courtesy of Roger Templeman.
Filton former Manual Exchange
The former Filton manual exchange was at 1 Bellevue Cottages, Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol (now BS34 7QP).
A magneto exchange came into service here around 1900. It was replaced by an automatic exchange around 1945.
Picture: Courtesy of BT Archives.
Fishponds ATE
Fishponds telephone exchange is in Beechwood Road, Bristol BS16 3TP and covers an area including Fishponds, Hillfields and Stapleton.
It came into service to replace an earlier exchange in the neighbouring former post office.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9375, 0117-9583, 0117-9584, 0117-9585, 0117-9586, 0117-9587, 0117-9588, 0117-9589 and 0117-965.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSFIS. Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Fishponds former ATE
The former Fishponds automatic exchange was in the former Fishponds post office at 786 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3TT.
It came into service on 19 March 1941 with subscribers given Fishponds 53*** and 54*** numbers under the Bristol linked numbering scheme.
It is now a pub called The Old Post Office.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSFIS. Photo courtesy of Neil Owen.
Fishponds former Manual Exchange (1)
The first Fishponds manual exchange was at 744 Fishponds Road, Bristol (now BS16 3UA).
It came into service around 1893 in what was then Daniel Bawn’s grocery shop. In 1894 it served only five subscribers. It closed around 1902 when a new switchboard was established at 3 Brook Road.  The building is now (October 2023) occupied by Eastville Domestic Appliances.
Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Fishponds former Manual Exchange (2)
The second former Fishponds manual telephone exchange was at 3 Brook Road, Fishponds, Bristol (now BS16 3SQ) seen here on the left behind the lamppost.
It came into service as a magneto exchange in 1902 and closed on 15 December 1921 when the exchange was moved to 766 Fishponds Road.
It is now a private house again.
Picture: BT Archives.
Fishponds former Manual Exchange (3)
The third former Fishponds manual exchange was at 766 Fishponds Road, Bristol (now BS16 3UP) above what was then Fishponds post office.
It came into service on 15 December 1921 taking over the lines from the previous Fishponds exchange and Staple Hill exchange. The former post office is now (October 2023) occupied by Bristol Gadgets.
Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Frenchay former Manual Exchange
The former Frenchay manual telephone exchange was in Frenchay post office, near the top of Frenchay Hill, Bristol, (now BS16 1LU).
It came into service as a magneto exchange on 2 June 1908. It was converted to a CBS2 switchboard on 7 March 1927 and closed on Wednesday 20 September 1950 when its 110 subscribers were transferred to Fishponds exchange. Now a private house, a K6 kiosk beside the old post office has been turned into the Frenchay Book Exchange.
Picture: BT Archives.
Henbury ATE
Henbury telephone exchange is in Concorde Drive, Bristol BS10 6PY and also covers an area including Brentry and Southmead.
It came into service in the mid-1960s and was converted to digital working on 29 January 1993.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9419, 0117-950, 0117-581 and 0117-959.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSHEN. Photo courtesy of Bill Liebow.
Keynsham ATE
Keynsham telephone exchange is in Culvers Road, Keynsham BS31 2DW and also covers an area including Queen Charlton, Chewton Keynsham and Burnett.
The first Keynsham automatic exchange – a UAX14 – was built here on a former allotment land sold to the Post Office in 1937 for £150.  In 1987, it was moved into the Bristol numbering group when lines became Keynsham (0272) 86**** numbers.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9376, 0117-9461 and 0117-986.
Its former dialling code was 027 56.
ID: SSKEY. Photo courtesy of David Hillas .
Keynsham former Manual Exchange
The first Keynsham telephone exchange was at 9 Rock Road, Keynsham.
It was opened by the National Telephone Company on 9 January 1906 and was supervised by a Mrs Webber.
It closed around 1945 and has since been demolished.
ID: SSKEY. Picture: BT Archives.
Kingswood ATE
Kingswood telephone exchange is in Hanham Road, Bristol BS15 8PW and also covers an area including Warmley and Cadbury Heath.
BuiIt as an extension to the former Kingswood post office, the first exchange here came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with 412 subscribers given Kingswood 73*** numbers as part of the Bristol linked numbering scheme. The exchange was later extended further.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9352, 0117-9353, 0117-9474, 0117-9475, 0117-9476, 0117-9477, 0117-9478, 0117-9479, 0117-9582, 0117-960, 0117-961 and 0117-967.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSKWD. Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Kingswood former Manual Exchange
The former Kingswood manual exchange was at 379 Two Mile Hill, Bristol (now BS15 1AD). In this 1910 photograph, it appears just left of the lamppost.
It came into service around 1902 with a magneto switchboard run by caretaker-supervisor Daniel Parker. It replaced the first Kingswood manual exchange, opened in the 1890s in a shop on the corner of High Street and Hanham Road – where the current Kingswood exchange now stands.
It closed in 1931 and is now a solicitors office.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
Picture: BT Archives.
St Georges former Manual Exchange
The former St George’s telephone exchange was at 195 Church Road, Redfield, Bristol (now BS5 9HG).
The National Telephone Company opened a switchboard here around 1893 in what was then the grocery store of Edmund Harvey. It closed around January 1901 when subscribers’ lines were transferred to the new Central exchange. It is now (2023) a Ladbrokes betting shop.
Photo courtesy of David Edge.
Staple Hill former Manual Exchange
The former Staple Hill telephone exchange (seen here on the left) was at 1 Seymour Road, Staple Hill, Bristol (now BS16 4TG).
The National Telephone Company opened a magneto switchboard here in March 1908 with William Burgess as caretaker-supervisor. It closed in December 1921 when subscribers were transferred to Fishponds exchange. It is now a private house.
Picture: Courtesy of BT Archives.
Stoke Bishop ATE
Stoke Bishop telephone exchange is at 57 Stoke Hill, Bristol BS9 1EP (the flat-roofed building seen in this 1930s postcard) and also covers an area including Sea Mills and Combe Dingle.
It came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with 481 subscribers given Stoke Bishop 81*** numbers as part of the Bristol linked numbering scheme. It was converted to digital working on 14 October 1992.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9626 and 0117-968.
Its former dialling code was 027 2.
ID: SSSTO. Picture circa 1930: Courtesy of Stoke Bishop Local History Group.
Stoke Bishop former Manual Exchange
The former Stoke Bishop telephone exchange was at 13 Rockleaze Road, Sneyd Park, Bristol (now BS9 1NF).
The National Telephone Company brought it into service in 1902, the caretaker-operator being Mrs M Hagley. It closed in 1931 when the automatic exchange opened. It is now once again a private house.
Picture: Courtesy of BT Archives.
Warmley former Manual Exchange
The former Warmley exchange was at Warmley post office, 2-4 Tower Road North, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8YE.
It came into service in January 1908 and closed on 12 April 1922 when its lines were transferred to Fishponds exchange.
The building is still (2023) the post office for Warmley.
Photo courtesy of Bill Liebow.
Westbury-on-Trym ATE
Westbury-on-Trym telephone exchange is at 10 Grange Court Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 4DP and covers the immediately surrounding area.
It came into service at midnight on 28/29 November 1931 with 801 subscribers given Westbury-on-Trym 66*** and 67*** numbers as part of the Bristol linked numbering scheme.
Its telephone codes include 0117-9620, 0117-9621, 0117-9622, 0117-9623, 0117-9624, 0117-9625, 0117-9628, 0117-9629.
Its former dialling code was 0272.
ID: SSWOT. Photo courtesy of Bill Liebow.
Westbury-on-Trym former Manual Exchange (1)
The first former telephone exchange here was in W.H. Mogford and Son’s ironmongers shop at 2 High Street, Westbury-on-Trym (now BS9 3DU) where Mrs Mogford ran the switchboard.
It came into service as a magneto exchange in the early 1890s and closed in 1901 when the exchange was moved to Westbury Hill. As shown on this advertising flyer – probably from the 1920s – the shop retained its number of Westbury on Trym 1 despite the move. The shop is still trading under the same name.
Picture: Courtesy of W.H. Mogford and Son.
Westbury-on-Trym former Manual Exchange (2)
The second former Westbury-on-Trym manual exchange was at 32 Westbury Hill, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol (now BS9 3AF)
It came into service in 1901 when the exchange was moved from Mogford and Son. The caretaker-operator was Mrs Emily Harris.
It closed when the automatic exchange came into service in 1931.
It is now a private house again.
Photo courtesy of Bill Liebow.