The eighteen BT Telephone Exchanges (and seven former) in the Torquay (01803) telephone area
The exchanges in the inner area of Torquay originally had the STD code of 0803, whilst the surrounding exchanges had the STD code of 0804.
Blackawton ATE
Brixham ATE
Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Chelston ATE
This exchange is scheduled to cease operation in December 2030 and close by June 2031.
Churston ATE
Dartmouth ATE
Dittisham ATE
Harbertonford ATE
ID: WWHARB. Photo courtesy of John Howard.
Ipplepen ATE
Ipplepen former ATE
Kingskerswell ATE
Kingskerswell telephone exchange is located in Avenue Road, Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot TQ12 5BD and serves Kingskerswell and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803-87.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 47.
ID: WWKKWL. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Kingswear ATE
ID: WWKGWR. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Paignton ATE
Paignton telephone exchange is located in Dendy Road, Paignton TQ4 5DB and serves Paignton and the surrounding area.
The telephone codes for this exchange include 01803-5, 01803-663~666, 01803-668, 01803-697 and 01803-841.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 3.
ID: WWPAIG. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Paignton former ATE
Paignton’s first ATE was located at 18 Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3HB.
Built into what was then a post office, it came into service on 4 November 1925.
It closed on 1 February 1939 when it was replaced by an exchange next to the current one.
ID: WWPAIG. Photo (2019) courtesy of Michael Dibb.
Paignton former Manual Exchange
Paignton’s manual telephone exchange was situated at 10 Totnes Road, Paignton (now TQ4 7PW).
It possibly replaced the first manual exchange opened in Palk’s butcher shop in Winner Street around 1887. It is now a private house.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Preston former ATE
The former Preston telephone exchange was situated off Rowcroft Road, Preston, Paignton (now TQ3 2EA).
It opened on Saturday 3 September 1932, taking subscribers from Paignton, but retaining the Paignton identity as part of the Torquay linked numbering scheme. After closure it was a Plymouth Brethren meeting hall but was demolished to make way for the Bishopstone Gardens housing development, built in 2017.
Its dialling code was 0803.
Photo courtesy of Third Sector magazine.
St Marychurch ATE
St Marychurch Telephone Exchange is located in Westhill Road, Torquay TQ1 4NT and serves Babbacombe and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803-3.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 3.
ID: WWSMAR. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Shiphay Collaton ATE
Shiphay Collaton telephone exchange is located Shiphay Lane, Torquay TQ2 7BZ and serves Shiphay and surrounding area.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 01803-81 and 01803-65.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 3.
ID: WWSHIP. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Staverton ATE
Staverton Telephone Exchange is located in Staverton, Totnes TQ9 6NZ and serves Staverton and the surrounding villages.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803-76.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 426.
ID: WWSTAV. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Stoke Fleming ATE
Stoke Fleming Telephone Exchange is located in Mill Lane, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth TQ6 0QZ and serves Stoke Fleming and the surrounding villages.
The former Stoke Fleming exchange, located 100 yards further down Mill Lane, originally housed a UAX5, later replaced by a UAX13.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803-77.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 427.
ID: WWSFLM. Photo courtesy of John Howard.
Stoke Fleming former ATE
The former Stoke Fleming Telephone Exchange is located 100 yards from the current exchange in Mill Lane, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth TQ6 0QZ and served Stoke Fleming and the surrounding villages.
The former exchange originally housed a UAX5, later replaced by a UAX13.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 427.
ID: WWSFLM. Photo required.
Stoke Gabriel ATE
Stoke Gabriel Telephone Exchange is located in Paignton Road, Stoke Gabriel, Totnes TQ9 6SE and serves Stoke Gabriel and the surrounding villages.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803-78.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 428.
ID: WWSGAB. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Torquay Manual Telephone Exchange
Torquay’s first telephone exchange was at 15 Abbey Road (now TQ2 5NF).
It was opened by the Western Counties and South Wales Telephone Company on 20 October 1885 with 18 subscribers. It closed on 4 November 1925 at automation.
It is now (2025) a grocery shop.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Torquay ATE
Torquay Telephone Exchange is located in Fleet House, Lower Union Lane, Torquay TQ2 5PR and serves Torquay and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 3.
ID: WWTORQ. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith and additional information by Graham Wheatley.
Torquay former ATE
The former Torquay Telephone Exchange is located in Fleet Street, Torquay TQ1 1DU and served Torquay and the surrounding area.
The exchange was located on the upper floors of the old GPO building. It closed in 1968 and was converted into residential apartments.
The telephone code for this exchange was 0803.
ID: WWTORQ. Photo courtesy of John Howard.
Totnes ATE
Totnes Telephone Exchange is located in Fore Street, Totnes TQ9 5HQ and serves Totnes and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01803-86.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 080 46.
ID: WWTOTN. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.