What Is the Postal Code of London?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re living in London or planning to send a package to someone in the city, you might be wondering what the postal code of London is. Well, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think.

What is a Postal Code?

Before we dive into the specifics of London’s postal code, let’s first define what a postal code is. A postal code, also known as a postcode or ZIP code, is a series of letters and/or numbers used by postal services to sort and deliver mail. Postal codes help ensure that mail reaches its intended recipient in a timely and efficient manner.

Postal Codes in the UK

In the United Kingdom, postal codes are called postcodes. They were introduced in 1959 by the Royal Mail to improve mail delivery efficiency. The UK postcode system uses alphanumeric codes consisting of two parts: an outward code and an inward code.

The outward code consists of one or two letters that indicate the general area where the address is located. The inward code consists of one number followed by two letters that identify a specific street or building within the general area.

London’s Postal Code

London is a large city with many different postal codes depending on which part of the city you’re in. In fact, there are over 100 postcode areas in London alone! Each postcode area covers a specific part of the city and contains multiple postcode districts.

For example, the postcode area for central London is WC (West Central). Within this area, there are several different postcode districts such as WC1A and WC1B. The first part of the outward code indicates which part of central London your address is located in.

Central London Postcode Areas

  • EC (East Central)
  • WC (West Central)
  • SE1 (South East 1)

North London Postcode Areas

  • N (North)
  • NW (North West)
  • EN (Enfield)

East London Postcode Areas

  • E (East)
  • IG (Ilford)
  • RM (Romford)

South London Postcode Areas

  • SE (South East)
  • SW (South West)
  • CR (Croydon)

West London Postcode Areas

  • W (West)
  • NW (North West)
  • TW (Twickenham)

As you can see, London’s postal code system is complex and can be confusing for those who are not familiar with it. However, knowing the correct postal code for your address is important to ensure that your mail is delivered correctly and on time.

In conclusion, the postal code of London depends on which part of the city you are in. It is important to know your correct postal code to ensure that your mail reaches its intended recipient without delay.