The fifteen BT Telephone Exchanges (and three former) in the Cranbrook (01580) telephone area
Benenden ATE
Biddenden ATE
Biddenden former ATE
The former Biddenden telephone exchange stands in North Street, Biddenden, Cranbrook TN27 8AS.
In service as a UAX13 from the late 1930s, it closed in 1973 when lines became Biddenden 291*** numbers. It is now privately owned.
Its dialling code was 058 02.
Cranbrook ATE
The former Cranbrook exchange, which housed a UAX14, was located just off the High St TN17 3RB. Now the car park of the Royal Mail delivery office.
Etchingham ATE
Flimwell ATE
ID: NDFLI. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Frittenden ATE
Goudhurst ATE
Goudhurst telephone exchange is located in Cranbrook Road, Goudhurst, Cranbrook TN17 1DP and serves Goudhurst and the surrounding area.
The former Gouldhurst exchange, which housed a UAX13, still exists next to the village hall, Balcombes Hill, TN17 1AT.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-21.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 03.
ID: NDGOU. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Hawkhurst ATE
Hawkhurst Telephone Exchange is located in Ockley Road, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4DY and serves Hawkhurst and the surrounding area.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 01580-75.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 05.
ID: NDHAK. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Hurst Green ATE
Hurst Green telephone exchange is located in Station Road, Hurst Green, Etchingham TN19 7PL and serves Hurst Green and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-86.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 086.
ID: NDHGR. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Robertsbridge ATE
Robertsbridge Telephone Exchange is located in George Hill, Robertsbridge TN32 5AX and serves Robertsbridge and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-88.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 088.
ID: NDROB. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Rolvenden former ATE
The former Rolvenden telephone exchange stands in Tenterden Road, Rolvenden, Cranbrook TN17 4NB.
It was in service as a UAX13 and closed in December 1982 when lines were taken over by Benenden exchange as Cranbrook 241*** numbers.
It is now a private house called The Old Exchange.
Its dialling code was 058 084.
Photo required
Sandhurst ATE
Sandhurst telephone exchange is located in Queen Street, Sandhurst, Cranbrook TN18 5JG and serves Sandhurst and the surrounding villages.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-850.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 085.
ID: NDSAH. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Sissinghurst former ATE
The former Sissinghurst Telephone Exchange is located in Common Road, Tunbridge Wells TN17 2JR and served Sissinghurst and the surrounding area.
When this exchange closed subscribers were transferred to the Cranbrook exchange.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 09.
Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Staplecross ATE
Staplecross Telephone Exchange is located in Northiam Road, Staplecross, Robertsbridge TN32 5QH and serves Staplecross and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-83.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 083.
ID: NDSTP. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Staplecross former ATE
The former Staplecross telephone exchange stands in Northiam Road, Staplecross, Robertsbridge TN32 5HQ.
It came into service as an RAX5 in the early 1930s.
It was replaced by a UAX13 in the current exchange building around 1950.
It was later used as a store for the village hall.
It did not have an STD dialling code.
ID: NDSTP. Photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Tenterden ATE
Tenterden Telephone Exchange is located in Hales Close, Tenterden TN30 6RJ and serves Tenterden and the surrounding area.
Tenterden’s former manual exchange was on the first floor of the post office in Ashford Road.
A CBS2 board, it closed at automation in April 1965.
Photo courtesy of Richard and Heather Crease
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-76.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 06.
ID: NDTEN. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Staplehurst ATE
Staplehurst telephone exchange is located in High Street, Staplehurst, Tonbridge TN12 0BN and serves Staplehurst and the surrounding area.
The former Staplehurst exchange, equipped with a UAX13, was located to the right of the driveway of the current exchange when viewed from the road.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-89.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 089.
ID: NDSTA. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Ticehurst ATE
Ticehurst Telephone Exchange is located in St Marys Lane, Ticehurst, Wadhurst TN5 7AX and serves Ticehurst and the surrounding area.
The former Ticehurst exchange, equipped with a UAX13, was located in the front of the current exchange next to Clare Lodge.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01580-20.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 058 07.
ID: NDTIC. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.