The sixteen BT Telephone Exchanges (and fourteen former) in the Cambridge (01223) telephone area
Arrington ATE
Arrington telephone exchange is situated off Ermine Way, Arrington, Royston SG8 0AD and also serves an area including Orwell, Croydon and Whaddon.
It came into service in 1981 when most lines became Cambridge 207*** numbers.
The first Arrington exchange was an RAX5, opened in 1931, which stood about 200 yards to the south of the current site. A wooden UAX building was added later. Both were demolished around 2020 and replaced by a bungalow called Old Telephone Exchange.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-207 and 01223-208.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
The dialling code of its predecessor was 022 020.
ID: EAARR. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Bottisham ATE
Bottisham telephone exchange is located in Tunbridge Lane, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9DU and also serves an area including Swaffham Bulbeck, Lode and Stow-cum-Quy.
It came into service in mid-1972 when most lines became Cambridge 811*** numbers.
Prior to being converted to a System X digital exchange it was equipped with a TXE2.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-81.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EABTM. Photo courtesy of Anthony Smart.
Bottisham former ATE
The former Bottisham telephone exchange is located at 7 Lode Road, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9DJ.
It came into service in the late 1940s to replace a manual exchange which opened around 1925. After it ceased operation in 1972, planning permission was granted to turn it into a book store. It is now a private house.
Its former dialling code was 022 028.
ID: EABTM. Photo courtesy of Anthony Smart.
Cambridge Central ATE
Cambridge Central telephone exchange is situated in Post Office Terrace, St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3AX and serves central Cambridge.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 01223-30, 01223-31, 01223-35 and 01223-36.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EACAM. Photo courtesy of Steve Mole.
Cambridge Trunks Exchange
The Cambridge Trunks exchange is situated in Long Road, Cambridge CB2 8HG.
It came into service in about 1964 to handle STD and trunk calls.
An extension to the building was begun in 1971.
Photo courtesy of John Sutton.
Cambridge former ATE
The former Cambridge automatic exchange and its auto manual boards occupied four floors of the head post office – now Barclays Bank – at 9-11 St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge CB2 3AA. A non-director exchange made by STC for 3400 lines, it came into service at 1.30pm on Saturday 4 May 1935.
More information on the exchange and its satellites Cherry Hinton and Girton can be found on page 159 of the July 1935 POEEJ HERE.
ID: EACAM. Photo courtesy of Tiger.
Cambridge former Manual Exchange 2
The second former Cambridge manual telephone exchange was located at 2 Alexandra St, Cambridge (which no longer exists).
It came into service in 1909 as a CB1 exchange, replacing the exchange at 12 Market Hill. It also took over the lines, on opening, of the first Cherryhinton exchange. It ceased operation on 4 May 1935.
ID: EACAM. Photo courtesy of BT Archives
Cambridge former Manual Exchange 1
The second former first Cambridge manual telephone exchange was at 12 Market Hill, Cambridge CB2 3NJ.
It was opened by the South of England Telephone Company in June 1885 (although it was re-advertised as being “now open” in 1887). It ceased operation in 1909 when the National Telephone Company opened a new central battery exchange in Alexandra Street. Having housed the Don Pasquale restaurant from 1973 to 2020, the building is now (2023) home to the Market House restaurant.
Photo courtesy of the Cambridgeshire Collection.
Cherry Hinton ATE
Cherry Hinton telephone exchange is located in Coleridge Road, Cambridge CB1 3PR and serves south east Cambridge.
It came into service in 1935, with capacity for 600 lines, as a satellite exchange in the Cambridge linked numbering scheme, all lines being Cambridge 87***.
There had been an earlier Cherryhinton – one word – manual exchange which opened around 1903 and closed when its lines were taken over by the second Cambridge manual exchange in 1909.
The principal telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-21, 01223-40 and 01223-41.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EACRH. Photo courtesy of N Chadwick.
Comberton ATE
Comberton telephone exchange is located in Barton Road, Comberton, Cambridge CB23 7BT and also serves an area including Kingston, Barton, Eversden and Harlton.
It came into service as a TXE2 on Thursday 13 March 1969 at 8am, when all lines became Comberton 2*** numbers. All lines became Cambridge 26**** numbers in August 1987.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-26.
Its former dialling code was 022 026.
ID: EACOM. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Comberton former ATE
The former Comberton telephone exchange is on the corner of Swayne’s Lane and South Street, Comberton, Cambridge CB23 7DZ.
The first auto exchange here came into service as an RAX5 around 1932 and was replaced by a UAX 12 in 1937. It ceased operation in 1969. The building was advertised for sale by tender in July 1974 and is now a private house.
Its dialling code was 022 026.
ID: EACOM. Photo courtesy of Andrew Smart.
Fulbourn ATE
Fulbourn telephone exchange is in Pierce Lane, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5DL and also serves an area including Great Wilbraham.
It came into service as a TXE2S at 8am on 20 October 1971 when lines became Cambridge 880*** numbers. It was converted to System X in March 1993.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-88.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EAFUL. Picture courtesy of David Hillas.
Fulbourn former ATE
The former Fulbourn telephone exchange is situated in Church Lane, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5EP.
The first auto exchange here came into service in 1931 as an RAX5. A magneto exchange, also named as ‘Foulborn’ and ‘Foulbourne’ in directories and exchange lists, was open around 1920 but had only one subscriber – the labour exchange – and was replaced by the Cambridge 595 and 596 rural party lines from about 1921. The exchange closed in 1971 and is now a private house called The Old Telephone Exchange.
Its dialling code was 022 027.
ID: EAFUL. Photo courtesy of Rightmove.
Girton ATE
Girton telephone exchange is located in Huntingdon Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 0LG and serves an area including north west Cambridge.
It came into service in 1935, with capacity for 200 lines, as a satellite exchange in the Cambridge linked numbering scheme, all lines being Cambridge 76*** numbers.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-27.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EAGIR. Photo courtesy of Stanley Howe.
Harston ATE
Harston telephone exchange is situated in High Street, Harston, Cambridge CB22 7PX and also serves an area including Hauxton, Foxton and Haslingfield.
It came into service in 1972 as a TXE2S, replacing the former exchange, when all lines became Cambridge 870*** numbers.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-87.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EAHST. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Harston former ATE
The former Harston telephone exchange is at 98 High Street, Harston, Cambridge CB22 7PX.
The first auto exchange here came into service as an RAX5 around 1931, replacing a manual exchange opened around the First World War. A U8 was in service by 1935 and a UAX13 by 1938. It ceased operation in 1972 and was advertised for sale by tender in July 1974. It is still disused.
Its dialling code was 022 022.
ID: EAHST. Photo courtesy of Harston History.
Histon ATE
Histon telephone exchange is located in High Street, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9JD and also serves an area including Impington and Oakington.
It came into service at 8am on 27 February 1969 as a TXE2 when all lines became Histon 2*** numbers. It was converted to System X on 28 February 1989 when lines became Cambridge 202*** and 23**** numbers.
The principal telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-202, and 01223-23.
Its former dialling code was 022 023.
ID: EAHIS. Photo courtesy of Tom McKeown.
Histon former ATE
The former Histon telephone exchange is located at 15B Station Road, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LQ.
It came into service on 28 February 1939 as a UAX13 with 200 lines, replacing a manual exchange which opened around 1923. It ceased operation, one day short of 30 years later, in 1969.
Its former dialling code was 022 023.
ID: EAHIS. Photo courtesy of Anthony Smart.
Linton ATE
Linton telephone exchange is in Back Road, Linton, Cambridge CB21 4JF and also serves an area including Bartlow, Hadstock and Great and Little Abington.
It came into service in 1972 as a TXE2S when lines became Cambridge 89**** numbers.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-89.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EALNT. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Linton former ATE
The former Linton telephone exchange is located at 2 Balsham Road, Linton, Cambridge CB21 4LD.
The first auto exchange here came into service as a UAX13 in 1937 to replace a manual exchange which opened around1923. It ceased operation in 1972 and was put up for sale by tender in November 1974. It is now used as business premises.
Its former dialling code was 022 025.
ID: EALNT. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Sawston ATE
Sawston telephone exchange is situated in Shingay Lane, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3SS and also serves an area including Barbraham, Whittlesford, Duxford and Pampisford.
It came into service around 1977 when Sawston lines became Cambridge 83**** numbers. It was changed over to System X on 31 August 1989.
The principal telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-49, 01223-82 and 01223-83.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EASST. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Sawston former ATE
The former Sawston telephone exchange is on the corner of High Street and Shingay Lane, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3SS.
It came into service in October 1956 with 371 lines to replace a manual exchange at 95 High Street which opened in 1923 and had been run by caretaker operator Susannah Ward throughout.
It ceased operation around 1977 and later became a snooker hall.
Its former dialling code was 022 03.
ID: EASST.
Shelford former ATE
The former Shelford telephone exchange is on the corner of Maris Green and High Green, Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5EG.
It came into service at 1pm on 8 June 1948 with 330 lines, replacing a manual exchange first opened around 1901. It closed in 1980 when lines were taken over by Trumpington exchange as Cambridge 842***, 843*** and 844*** numbers. It was sold by tender in 1983 and is now offices.
Its former dialling code was 022 04.
Photo courtesy of Nobbby.
Science Park ATE
Science Park telephone exchange is located in Downhams Lane, Cambridge CB4 1XT and serves an area including north east Cambridge and Milton.
It came into service in December 1988 for business users, with 2000 residential lines being transferred to it on 23 June 1989.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 01223-22, 01223-42 and 01229-79.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EASCI. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Teversham ATE
Teversham telephone exchange is situated in Ditton Lane, Teversham, Cambridge CB5 8SP and also serves an area including Fen Ditton.
The first auto exchange here opened in 1935, the area having been served since about 1921 by the Cambridge 888 and 889 rural party lines. It comprised of two UAX6 units which had no direct dial access to the Cambridge exchanges and was upgraded to a UAX13 by 1940.
It was converted to System X in March 1993 when lines became Cambridge 29**** numbers.
The principal telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-292, 01223-293, 01223-294, 01223-295 and 01223-37.
Its former dialling code was 022 05.
ID: EATEV. Photo courtesy of Anthony Smart.
Trumpington ATE
Trumpington telephone exchange is in High Street, Trumpington CB2 9HR and also serves an area including Grantchester and Shelford.
It may have come into service around 1980 when Trumpington lines became Cambridge 840*** and 841*** numbers. It also took over lines from Shelford when that exchange closed.
The principal telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-55 and 01223-84.
Its former dialling code was 0223.
ID: EATRU. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Trumpington former ATE
The former Trumpington telephone exchange is at 31 Shelford Road, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 9LZ.
The first Trumpington exchange was a manual board opened around 1910. A UAX8 was opened in 1935, followed by a UAX14 on 22 March 1949. A larger exchange building was erected to the front. It is believed to have closed around 1980. It was sold in 1994 and is now a house.
Its dialling code was 022 021.
ID: EATRU. Picture: Courtesy of Rightmove
Waterbeach ATE
Waterbeach telephone exchange is located in Cambridge Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9NJ and also serves an area including Landbeach, Clayhithe and part of Milton.
It came into service at 8am on 29 February 1972, replacing the former Waterbeach exchange, with lines becoming Cambridge 860*** numbers. It was switched to System X on 31 March 1992.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 01223-203, 01223-204, 01223-205, 01223-44 and 01223-86.
Its former dialling code was 022 324.
ID: EAWTB. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
Waterbeach former ATE
The former Waterbeach telephone exchange is situated in Cambridge Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9NJ.
It came into service in 1938 to replace an RAX5 opened around 1932. It is now disused and stands on the site of the current exchange.
Its former dialling code was 022 024.
ID: EAWTB. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.
West Wratting ATE
West Wratting telephone exchange is situated in High Street, West Wratting, Cambridge CB21 5LU and also serves an area including Weston Colville and West Wickham.
It came into service as a UAX13 in 1946, replacing a manual exchange opened in the mid-1920s.
Some West Wratting lines in the Balsham area were transferred to Linton exchange around 1979.
Lines became Cambridge 29**** numbers in 1989.
The principal telephone code for this exchange is 01223-290.
Its former dialling code was 022 029.
ID: EAWTB. Photo courtesy of Craig Gonsalves.