Is 020 a London Number?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re wondering whether 020 is a London number, the answer is yes! In fact, 020 is the area code for most of Greater London and some nearby areas.

What Is an Area Code?

Before we dive into the specifics of 020, let’s first define what an area code is. An area code is a numerical prefix used to identify a specific geographic region when dialing a phone number. In the United Kingdom, area codes are typically two to four digits long and are followed by a local telephone number.

The History of London’s Area Codes

London has had several different area codes over the years. The original London area code was 01, which was introduced in 1958. This code covered all of London and some surrounding areas.

In 1990, as demand for phone numbers grew, the 01 area code was split into several smaller codes. Central London retained the 01 code, while other areas were given new codes such as 0181 (North London) and 0171 (South London).

In year 2000, all of these smaller codes were merged into a single code: 020.

What Areas Does the 020 Code Cover?

The 020 area code covers most of Greater London and some nearby areas. This includes all of the boroughs within Greater London such as Camden, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Bexley and Greenwich – just to name a few!

It’s worth noting that there are some exceptions to this. For example, parts of north-west Surrey and parts of Hertfordshire also fall within the 020 area code.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you see a phone number that starts with the digits “020,” it’s likely that it’s based in or around London. While there have been changes to London’s area codes over the years, 020 has been the primary code for the city since the year 2000.