Timeline of London Director Area Dialling Codes
- 1927 The London Director Area began at High Holborn ExchangeCallers would dial the first three letters of the exchange name followed by subscriber's number
- 1965 All Figure Numbering (AFN) was introducedInstead of dialling the first three letters of the exchange name, subscribers would dial a 3 digit number instead
- 1990 London 01 area code changedInner London numbers changed to 071 and Outer London numbers changed to 081.
- 1995 London 071 and 081 area codes changed to include an extra 1Inner London numbers changed to 0171 and Outer London numbers changed to 0181.
- 2000 London 0171 and 0181 area codes changed to 020Inner London numbers were changed to 020-7 and Outer London numbers were changed to 020-8
- 2005 The additional number range of 020-3 was introducedThis was to provide additional capacity in the London area
- 2019 The additional number range of 020-4 was introducedThis was to provide additional capacity in the London area
BT Telephone Exchanges in the 020 London Director Area:Â A – G
Acton ATE
Acton Telephone Exchange is located in Lexden Road, Acton W3 9NY and was built in the 1930s.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was ACOrn.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8752, 020-8896, 020-8992 and 020-8993.
ID: LWACT. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Addiscombe ATE
Addiscombe Exchange is located in Teevan Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 6DL.
This exchange also serves South Norwood.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange names were ADDiscombe and BLUebell.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8654, 020-8655, 020-8656, 020-8663.
ID: LSADD. Photo courtesy of Danny P Robinson.
Albert Dock ATE
Albert Dock Exchange is located in Coolfin Road, Victoria Dock E16 3BD. This exchange also serves Plaistow and Canning Town.
Prior to AFN (All-Figure Numbers) the exchange name was ALBert Dock.
The number ranges currently used include 020-7473, 020-7474, 020-7476 and 020-7511.
ID: LNADK. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Balham ATE
Balham Telephone Exchange is located at 49 Upper Tooting Road, Wandsworth SW17 7TL. This exchange building opened in 1939.
The original 2000-type Strowger unit was installed (by Ericsson) in 1940 but not brought into service until October1946 due to the war. Around 1971 the house to the rear of the building in Topsham Road was purchased, demolished and the building extended to accommodate the second unit 01-767 and eventually the third unit 01-682. In the 1970’s there was a 46-position manual switchboard staffed 24 hours a day. At that time there were around 120 people employed at Balham, including the clerical force, engineers and cleaners. The Strowger units closed in 1986 on conversion to System X. Andy Jackson
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BALham.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8672, 020-8682 and 020-8767.
ID: LSBAL. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Barking ATE
Barking Exchange is located in North Street, Barking IG11 8JE.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was RIPpleway.
The number ranges used include 020-8507, 020-8591 and 020-8594 numbers.
ID: LNBKG. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Barnet ATE
Barnet Exchange is located at 5 Leicester Road, New Barnet EN5 5EP. The photo shows the newer extension on the right of the photo whilst the original building, which opened in 1947, is to its left.
This exchange also serves Hadley Green.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were BARnet and HADley Green.
The number ranges used include 020-8275, 020-8440, 020-8441 and 020-8449 numbers.
ID: LNBAR. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Battersea ATE
Battersea Telephone Exchange is located in Altenburg Gardens, Battersea SW11 1JN. This exchange building opened in 1947.
The second unit at Battersea (020-7223) was originally going to be called BADminton, but it was never published as an exchange name. I carried out the STD conversion on the original BATtersea unit at this exchange Andy Jackson.
Note: Some subscribers in the Battersea area are served by the Nine Elms exchange.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BATtersea.
The telephone codes currently used include: 020-7223, 020-7228, 020-7350 and 020-7585.
ID: WRBATT. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Bayswater ATE
Bayswater Exchange is located in Moscow Road, Bayswater W2 4LG.
This exchange serves the Bayswater and Notting Hill areas of London.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were BAYswater and PARk .
The number ranges currently used include 020-7221, 020-7229, 020-7243, 020-7727 and 020-7792.
ID: WEWBAY. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2030 and close by September 2030.
Beckenham ATE
Beckenham Telephone Exchange is located in Kelsey Park Road, Beckenham BR3 6LJ.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BECkenham.
The telephone codes currently used include: 020-8650 and 020-8658.
ID: LSBEC. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Belgravia former ATE
Belgravia Telephone Exchange was located in Chesham Place, Belgravia SW1X. The exchange was built in 1960 and closed in August 2004 when it’s subscribers were transferred to the South Kensington exchange. The building was subsequently converted into luxury apartments around 2007.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BELgravia.
The telephone codes used included: 020-7201, 020-7235 and 020-7245.
BT/Openreach have collocated the Belgravia Telephone Exchange with the South Kensington Exchange
ID: WRBEL. Photo courtesy of Mike Clarke.
Bermondsey ATE
Bermondsey Telephone Exchange is located in Monnow Road, Bermondsey SE1 5RN.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BERmondsey.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7231, 020-7232, 020-7237, 020-7252 and 020-7394.
ID: CLBER. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Beulah Hill ATE
Beulah Hill Exchange is located in Church Road, Upper Norwood SE19 2QW.
This exchange serves the Norwood area.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was LIVingstone.
The number ranges currently include 020-8653 and 020-8771.
ID: LSBEU. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Bexleyheath ATE
Bexleyheath Exchange is located at 313 Broadway, Bexleyheath DA6 8DU.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were BEXleyheath and DANson Park.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8298, 020-8301, 020-8303, 020-8304.
ID: LSBEX. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Bishopsgate ATE
Bishopsgate Telephone Exchange is located in Jerome Street, Bishopsgate E1 6NJ.
This exchange serves Spitalfields and Whitechapel.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BIShopsgate.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7247, 020-7375, 020-7377 and 020-7426
ID: CLBIS. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Bloomsbury (Howland Street) ATE
Bloomsbury Telephone Exchange is located in Cleveland Mews, Westminster W1T 4JZ.
It also includes Howland Street. The BT Telecom Tower is also situated in the same location.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were LANgham, MERedith and MUSeum.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7255, 020-7268, 020-7323, 020-7436, 020-7580, 020-7612, 020-7631, 020-7632, 020-7636 and 020-7637 numbers.
ID: WEWBLO. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2029 and close by September 2029.
Bowes Park ATE
Bowes Park Exchange is located in 661 Lordship Lane, Wood Green N22 5LA. The ornate entrance would appear to be no longer used, the present entrance being to the left of it having originally had window panes like the other three front ones.
This exchange serves Bowes Park and Wood Green.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were BOWes Park and MULberry.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8881, 020-8888 and 020-8889.
ID: LNBPK. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Brixton ATE
Brixton Telephone Exchange is located at 45 Gresham Road, Brixton SW9 7NU. Looking at the brickwork and windows, this TE would appear to have been rebuilt relatively recently.
This exchange serves Brixton and Hearne Hill.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were BRIxton and REDpost.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7274, 020-7326, 020-7733, 020-7737 and 020-7926.
ID: WRBRIX. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Bromley ATE
Bromley Telephone Exchange is located in Edison Road, Bromley BR2 0EQ. This exchange building opened in 1949.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were RAVensbourne and WIDmore.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8290, 020-8313, 020-8460, 020-8464, 020-8466.
ID: LSBRO. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Bushey Heath ATE
Bushey Heath Exchange is located in Sparrows Wick, Sparrows Herne, Bushey WD23 1FE. This redbrick building serves the Bushey area.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was BUShey Heath.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8950.
ID: LWBUS. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Canary Wharf former ATE
Canary Wharf exchange has been incorporated into Poplar Exchange located in West India Dock Road, Tower Hamlets E14 8EZ and serves Canary Wharf and Limehouse. London Docklands Zone 2 exchange (LNDZ2) has also been incorporated into Poplar exchange.
The number ranges currently used include 020-7513, 020-7516, 020-7715, 020-7718 and 020-7719.
ID: LNCNW. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Canonbury ATE
Canonbury Telephone Exchange is located in Highbury Grove, Islington N5 1HJ.
This exchange serves Canonbury and Highbury.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were CANonbury and DICkens.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7226, 020-7288, 020-7354 and 020-7359.
ID: CLCAN. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Catford ATE
Catford Exchange is located in Bromley Road, Catford SE6 2NZ. This exchange also serves Bellingham and Hither Green.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was HITher Green.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8461, 020-8695, 020-8697, 020-8698.
ID: LSCTFD. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Central ATE
Central Exchange and is now named Faraday exchange and located in Baynard House, Queen Mary Street, City of London EC4V 5BT.
In 1902 it was the first telephone exchange to open in London.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was CENtral.
The number range includes 020-7236.
ID: WRCHEL. Photo courtesy of Martin Addison.
Chelsea former ATE
The former Chelsea Exchange was located in Mallord Street, Chelsea SW3 6AP. However, by 2018 this exchange closed and all subscribers were incorporated into the South Kensington exchange.
Chelsea exchange used to have FLAxman numbers until the late 1960s.
The number ranges included 020-7351 and 020-7352.
ID: WRCHEL. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Chessington ATE
Chessington Exchange is located in Coniston Way, Kingston Upon Thames KT9 1ED and serves Chessington and Lower Hook.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was LOWer Hook.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8391 and 020-8397.
ID: LSCHES. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Chingford ATE
Chingford Telephone Exchange is located in The Ridgeway, Chingford E4 6QX and opened in 1930.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was Silverthorn.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8524 and 020-8529.
ID: LNCHF. Photo courtesy of Richard Dunn.
Chislehurst ATE
Chislehurst Exchange is located in Bickley Park Road, Chislehurst BR1 2BH and also serves Bickley.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was IMPerial.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8295, 020-8467 and 020-8468.
ID: LSCHI. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Chiswick ATE
Chiswick Telephone Exchange is located in Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick W4 4PH.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were CHIswick and TURnham Green.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8742, 020-8747, 020-8994, 020-8995 and 020-8996.
ID: LWCHI. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2030 and close by September 2030.
Chiswick former ATE
The former Chiswick Telephone Exchange is located in Sutton Court Road, Chiswick W4 4NG and has since been converted into apartments
Prior to AFN the exchange names were CHIswick and TURnham Green.
ID: LWCHI. Photo courtesy of Robin Webster.
Clapton ATE
Clapton Exchange is located in Upper Clapton Road, Clapton E5 9JZ and was built in 1960.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was UPPer Clapton.
The number ranges currently used includes 020-8806.
ID: LNCLA. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Clerkenwell ATE
Clerkenwell Telephone Exchange is located in Ironmonger Row, Islington, EC1V 3RJ.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was CLErkenwell.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7250, 020-7251, 020-7253, 020-7324, 020-7336, 020-7490 and 020-7608.
ID: CLCLE. Photo courtesy of Richard Haydon.
Colindale ATE
Colindale House Exchange is located in The Hyde, Colindale NW9 6LP.
This exchange serves The Hyde and Colindale.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was COLindale.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8205, 020-8456 and 020-8812.
ID: LWCOL. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Covent Garden ATE
Covent Garden Telephone Exchange is located in Russell Street and Bow Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7AT.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were COVent Garden and TEMple Bar.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7240, 020-7257, 020-7379, 020-7438, 020-7497, 020-7831 and 020-7836.
ID: CLCOV. Photo courtesy of Linda Cook.
Cricklewood ATE
Cricklewood Telephone Exchange is located in Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood NW2 3DS. This exchange serves Cricklewood, Dollis Hill, Dudden Hill, Mapesbury and Neasden.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were DOLlis Hill and GLAdstone.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8208, 020-8450 and 020-8452.
ID: LWCRI. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Crouch End ATE
Crouch End Exchange is located in Crouch End Hill, Crouch End N8 8DH. This exchange serves Crouch End, Highgate and Hornsey.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were FITzroy and MOUntview. FITzroy took its name from Fitzroy Park in Highgate, whilst MOUntview was named after Mount View Road in Crouch Hill.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8340, 020-8341, 020-8347 and 020-8348.
ID: LNCED. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2030 and close by September 2030.
Croydon ATE
The current Croydon Exchange is located in Ryland House, Church Road, Croydon CR0 1SG.
CROydon and MUNicipal were originally Strowger units housed in a building in Scarbrook Road, but the building has since been turned into luxury flats. On conversion to a digital exchange it was relocated to Ryland House. MUNicipal was originally a DDI unit for Croydon council Andy Jackson.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were CROydon and MUNicipal.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8649, 020-8662, 020-8666, 020-8667, 020-8680, 020-8681, 020-8686, 020-8688 and 020-8760.
ID: LSCRO. Photo above shows the current Croydon ATE and former Sector Switching Centre.
Photo below shows the former exchange in Scarbrook Road, both courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Dagenham ATE
Dagenham Exchange is located in Reede Road, Dagenham RM10 8DR.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was DOMinion.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8517, 020-8526, 020-8592, 020-8593, 020-8595 and 020-8984.
ID: LNDAG. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Deptford ATE
Deptford Telephone Exchange is located in Harton Street, Deptford SE8 4DQ.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was TIDeway.Â
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8469, 020-8691, 020-8692 and 020-8694.
ID: LSDEP. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Dulwich ATE
Dulwich Telephone Exchange is located in Lordship Lane, Dulwich, Southwark SE22 8NF and also serves Camberwell.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was TOWnley.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8299 and 020-8693.
ID: LSDUL. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Ealing ATE
Ealing Exchange is located in St Mary’s Place, The Green, Ealing W5 5EN.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were EALing and GEOrgian.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8567, 020-8579, 020-8758 and 020-8840.
ID: LWEAL. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2029 and close by September 2029.
Earls Court former ATE
The former Earls Court Telephone Exchange was located in Boltons Place, Chelsea SW5 0LP.
The exchange closed in December 2003 when it’s subscribers were transferred to the Fulham exchange, the site now has luxury houses.
Earls Court, along with the former West Kensington exchange, has now been incorporated into the Fulham exchange.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were FREmantle and FRObisher.
The telephone codes used include 020-7244, 020-7259, 020-7341, 020-7370, 020-7373 and 020-7835.
ID: WRECT.
Edgware ATE
Edgware Telephone Exchange is located in High Street, Edgware HA8 7BA.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was EDGware.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8951 and 020-8952.
ID: LWEDG. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Edmonton ATE
Edmonton Exchange is located in Sterling Way, Edmonton N18 1QU.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was EDMonton.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8345, 020-8803, 020-8807, 020-8884, 020-8887.
ID: LNEDM. Photo courtesy of Stacey Harris.
Elstree ATE
Elstree Exchange is located in Shenley Road, Borehamwood WD6 1AU.
This exchange serves Borehamwood and Elstree.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was ELStree.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8207, 020-8732, 020-8953.
ID: LWELS. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Eltham ATE
Eltham Telephone Exchange is located in Well Hall Road, Eltham SE9 6SG.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was ELTham.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8294, 020-8850, 020-8859.
ID: LSELT. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Enfield ATE
Enfield Telephone Exchange is located in Cecil Road, Enfield EN2 6TQ.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were ENField and KEAts.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8363, 020-8366, 020-8367, 020-8370.
ID: LNENF. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Euston ATE
Euston Exchange is located in Euston Road, Camden NW1 2BH.
This exchange serves Camden and Euston.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was EUSton.
The number ranges currently used include 020-7380, 020-7383, 020-7387, 020-7388, 020-7391, 020-7484 and 020-7728.
ID: CLEUS. Photo courtesy of Richard Haydon.
Ewell ATE
Ewell Telephone Exchange is located in London Road, Ewell, Epsom KT17 2AZ
Prior to AFN the exchange names were EWEll and IVYdale.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8393, 020-8394 and 020-8786.
ID: LSEWE. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Faraday ATE
Faraday Exchange is located at Baynard House, Queen Victoria Street, City of London EC4V 5BT.
BT/Openreach have collocated the Wood Street (CLWOO), Fleet Street (CLFLE) and Moorgate (CLMOO) telephone exchanges with the Faraday Telephone Exchange.
The number ranges currently used include 020-7.
ID: CLFAR. Picture courtesy of David Hillas.
Feltham ATE
Feltham Telephone Exchange is located in Hanworth Road, Feltham TW13 5AF.
This exchange also serves East Bedfont.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was FELtham.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8751, 020-8818, 020-8844, 020-8890 and 020-8893.
ID: LWFEL. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Finchley ATE
Finchley Exchange is located at Dollis Park, Finchley, Barnet N3 1HJ.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were FINchley and VIRginia.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8346 and 020-8349.
ID: LNFIN. Picture courtesy of Martin Addison.
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in April 2030 and close by September 2030.
Fleet former ATE
The former Fleet Street Telephone Exchange was located in Fleet House, Shoe Lane, City of London EC4A 3DD but has since been demolished..
BT/Openreach have collocated the Fleet Street Telephone Exchange with the Faraday Exchange (CLFAR).
Prior to AFN the exchange names were FLEet Street, LUDgate Circus and TABard.
The telephone codes used include 020-7353, 020-7427 and 020-7583.
ID: CLFLE. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Forest Hill ATE
Forest Hill Exchange is located in Waldram Park Road, Forest Hill, South London and was built in 1934 with an extension added around 1962. Forest Hill is part of the London Director area and is a Marconi designed System X Processor Exchange. Forest Hill also serves the Grove Park, Dulwich and Rushey Green Concentrator Exchanges.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was FORest Hill.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8290, 020-8291 and 020-8699.
ID: LSFOR.
Fulham ATE
Fulham Telephone Exchange is located in Telephone Place, Fulham SW6 1TH. This exchange building opened in 1950.
BT/Openreach have collocated the Earls Court Telephone Exchange (WRECT) and the West Kensington Telephone Exchange (WRWKEN) with the Fulham Exchange (WRFULM)
Prior to AFN the exchange name was FULham.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-7381, 020-7385, 020-7386, 020-7731 and 020-7736.
ID: WRFULM. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Gants Hill ATE
Gants Hill Exchange is located in Longwood Gardens, Ilford IG5 0BA.
The exchange opened in 1957 and serves Barkingside, Gants Hill and Redbridge.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was CREscent.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8550 and 020-8551.
ID: LNGHL Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Gipsy Hill ATE
Gipsy Hill Exchange is located in Park Hall Road, Gipsy Hill, Lambeth SE21 8DW.
This exchange also serves West Norwood.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was GIPsy Hill.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8670, 020-8761 and 020-8766.
ID: LSGIP. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Golders Green ATE
Golders Green Exchange is located in Hoop Lane, Golders Green NW11 8JR. Besides Golders Green, this exchange also serves Child’s Hill and Hampstead Garden.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were MEAdway and SPEedwell.
The number ranges currently include 020-8209, 020-8455 and 020-8458.
ID: LWGOL. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Goodmayes ATE
Goodmayes Telephone Exchange is located in High Street, Ilford IG3 8TB.
This exchange also serves Seven Kings.
Prior to AFN the exchange names were GOOdmayes and SEVen Kings.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8590, 020-8597, 020-8598 and 020-8599.
ID: LNGDM. Photo courtesy of David Howard.
Greenford ATE
Greenford Telephone Exchange is located in Greenford Rd, Greenford UB6 9AH.
This exchange building opened in 1935.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was WAXlow.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8575 and 020-8578.
ID: LWGRE. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
Greenwich ATE
Greenwich Exchange is located in Maze Hill Road, Greenwich SE10 9XG.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was GREenwich.
The number ranges currently used include 020-8293, 020-8305, 020-8312, 020-8853 and 020-8858.
ID: LSGRNW. Photo courtesy of Stephen Craven.
Grove Park ATE
Grove Park Telephone Exchange is located in Grove Park Road, Bromley SE9 4NT. This exchange opened in 1958 and also serves Mottingham.
Prior to AFN the exchange name was KIPling.
The telephone codes currently used include 020-8851 and 020-8857.
ID: LSGRO. Photo courtesy of Andy Hebden.
I’m very grateful to all the contributors to this page who have
so kindly provided photos and/or text informationÂ
I am particularly indebted to the following contributors:
David Hillas
Simon Cowper-Smith
Richard Haydon
Andy Hebden