How are postcodes allocated in London?

Basically, the current system (introduced during WWI) identifies a ‘central’ district, historically housing the main sorting office and ending with a ‘1’: W1, N1, SE1 and so on. From then on, numbering follows alphabetical order according to the district names: E5 is Clapton, E6 is East Ham, E7 is Forest Gate, etc.

What do the different parts of a postcode mean?

It is a hierarchical system, working from left to right — the first letter or pair of letters represents the area, the following digit or digits represent the district within that area, and so on. Each postcode generally represents a street, part of a street, or a single premises.

Why do some London postcodes have an extra letter?

This extra letter is added because of the sheer density of these areas of London, so by adding an extra letter you get an extra level of subdivision and therefore ease for the Post Office. London postcodes can be a difficult thing, laced with hidden meanings only known to locals.

Why is London’s postcode SW?

The S district was abolished by 1868, its residents merged into the neighbouring SE and SW districts, despite concerns from a local MP. Renaming either the SE or SW district as simply S was considered, to keep this compass point on the map, but this never happened.

How do London addresses work?

Unlike an American address, where the town, state and ZIP code appear on the same line, the town and postcode is written on separate lines for a UK address. On the line after the street name, you need to write the town or city, followed by the postcode on the next line.

How do British postcodes work?

The structure of a postcode is two alphanumeric codes that show, first, the Post Town and, second, a small group of addresses in that post town. The first alphanumeric code (the Outward code or Outcode) has between two and four characters and the second (the Inward Code or Incode) always has three characters.

How do postcodes get allocated?

The unit postcodes are used to find about 30 million actual addresses or delivery points, the minimum number of delivery points for a postcode is one, the maximum is 100, and on average the postcode is allocated to 17 delivery points.

What does SW6 mean in London?

LONDON Fulham
SW6. LONDON. Fulham district: Fulham, Parsons Green. Hammersmith and Fulham.

What does EC mean in London postcode?

Eastern Central
The EC (Eastern Central) postcode area, also known as the London EC postal area, is a group of postcode districts in central London, England. It includes almost all of the City of London and parts of the London Boroughs of Islington, Camden, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Westminster.

What does SW1 mean in London?

The SW (South Western and Battersea) postcode area, also known as the London SW postcode area, is a group of postcode districts covering part of southwest London, England. SW1 was originally the South Western head district.

How are London addresses written?

Why are postcodes arranged the way they are in London?

We asked Chris Taft from the Postal Museum, who explains that ‘the arrangement of London postcodes doesn’t follow a complete logic – but there is some logic to it’. Basically, the current system (introduced during WWI) identifies a ‘central’ district, historically housing the main sorting office and ending with a ‘1’: W1, N1, SE1 and so on.

What postcodes are outside the London postal area?

Since the local government reorganisation of London in the 1960s, parts of Greater London lie outside the London postal area. These include large parts of the “TW”, “KT”, “SM”, “CR”, “HA”, and “UB” postcode areas, among a few others.

What is the difference between London postcodes and London boroughs?

So London postcodes divide London on a geographical basis for postal sorting while London Boroughs divide London by boundaries between local authorities (boroughs). London Boroughs have a larger area than London postcodes. London has 32 Boroughs.

What was the last postcode with a fully alphabetical outward code?

Girobank ‘s GIR 0AA was the last domestic postcode with a fully alphabetical outward code. That code no longer exists in the Royal Mail’s PAF system, but was taken over by the bank’s current owners, Santander UK.