UK area code
01524 area code — Lancaster
01524 is Ofcom’s Lancaster numbering area, in Lancashire, North West England. 94 phone companies hold its 297 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01524 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01995 Garstang (17 km) and 01229 Barrow-in-Furness (28 km).
01524 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Lancaster
- County
- Lancashire
- Council area
- Lancashire
- Region
- North West England
- Number format
- 01524 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0524)
- Allocated blocks
- 297 of 541 (55%) across 94 providers
- Newest block
- 20 April 2026 (4 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01524 number called you
No clear pattern in reports for these numbers yet. If a call worried you:
- 1
Call back on a number you trust
If a caller says they're your bank, HMRC, a courier or a council, hang up and ring the organisation on the number from its website or your statement, never the number that called you. Caller ID can be faked.
- 2
Forward it to 7726
On a mobile, copy the caller's number from your recent calls and text it to 7726 (it spells SPAM). Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 as they are. It's free, and your network uses the reports to investigate and block numbers.
- 3
Stop sales calls
Register your landline and mobile free with the Telephone Preference Service (0345 070 0707). Legitimate UK marketers must check it; calls should drop within 28 days. It won't stop scammers.
- 4
If you lost money or shared details
Call your bank on the number on your card (or 159 to reach most UK banks safely), then report it to Report Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland call Police Scotland on 101.
01524 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01524 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01524 234 567.
Before 1995: 01524 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0524.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01524 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01524 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01524 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 20 April 2026. 4 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01524 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01524 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01524, by allocated blocks. The holder is the company Ofcom allocated the block to; a number can since have been ported to another provider (see range holder vs current provider).
| Range holder | Allocated | All blocks | First block | Latest block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT | 91 | 91 | 15 July 1994 | 26 August 2021 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 29 | 29 | 5 September 2013 | 20 April 2026 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 15 | 15 | 8 February 2010 | 30 January 2025 |
| Sky UK Limited | 13 | 13 | 2 July 2013 | 8 September 2020 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 9 | 9 | 4 May 2007 | 24 November 2017 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 6 | 6 | 16 November 2011 | 16 November 2011 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 5 | 5 | 1 May 2008 | 12 April 2016 |
| Colt Technology Services | 4 | 4 | 1 May 2015 | 20 May 2022 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 3 | 3 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 3 | 3 | 2 May 2017 | 22 December 2023 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 3 | 3 | 2 September 2016 | 25 April 2017 |
| IOVOX Limited | 3 | 3 | 3 July 2012 | 19 September 2017 |
| Voiceflex Limited | 3 | 3 | 3 December 2007 | 4 November 2025 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 2 | 2 | 4 January 2008 | 4 January 2008 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 April 2023 | 3 April 2023 |
| Chess Limited | 2 | 2 | 6 April 2018 | 6 April 2018 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 25 October 2019 | 10 December 2019 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 2 | 2 | 27 April 2010 | 25 June 2012 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 2 | 2 | 15 June 2022 | 15 June 2022 |
| ICUK Computing Services Limited | 2 | 2 | 5 June 2020 | 5 June 2020 |
| INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED | 2 | 2 | 26 January 2026 | 26 January 2026 |
| IP Voice Networks Ltd | 2 | 2 | 20 September 2017 | 20 September 2017 |
| Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) | 2 | 2 | 24 September 2008 | 20 January 2015 |
| Invoco Ltd | 2 | 2 | 26 September 2011 | 10 March 2017 |
| KCOM Group Ltd | 2 | 2 | 8 September 2022 | 8 September 2022 |
| Kalnet4U Ltd | 2 | 2 | 23 May 2013 | 21 March 2016 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 2 | 2 | 3 April 2006 | 3 April 2006 |
| M247 Ltd | 2 | 2 | 20 May 2015 | 29 May 2015 |
| Mi Telecom Limited | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2020 | 3 July 2020 |
Showing the 30 largest of 94 holders.
Openreach exchanges at Lancaster
Exchanges Openreach lists at this location in its copper stop-sell programme, with the date new copper orders stop.
- Lancaster LCLANStop sell 04-Jun-24 · Tranche 12
All number blocks on 01524first 200 of 541, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 152400 | Protected | — |
| +44 152401 | Protected | — |
| +44 152402 | Protected | — |
| +44 152403 | Protected | — |
| +44 152404 | Protected | — |
| +44 152405 | Protected | — |
| +44 152406 | Protected | — |
| +44 152407 | Protected | — |
| +44 152408 | Protected | — |
| +44 152409 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524100 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524101 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524102 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524103 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524104 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524105 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524106 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524107 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524108 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524109 | Protected | — |
| +44 152411 | Protected | — |
| +44 152412 | Protected | — |
| +44 152413 | Protected | — |
| +44 152414 | Protected | — |
| +44 152415 | Protected | — |
| +44 152416 | Protected | — |
| +44 152417 | Protected | — |
| +44 152418 | Protected | — |
| +44 152419 | Protected | — |
| +44 152420 | Allocated | Chess Limited |
| +44 152421 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524220 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1524221 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524222 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524223 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1524224 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1524225 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 1524226 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1524227 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1524228 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1524229 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524230 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524231 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524232 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 15242330 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 15242331 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 15242332 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 15242333 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 15242334 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 15242335 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242336 | Allocated | M247 Ltd |
| +44 15242337 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 15242338 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242339 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524234 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524235 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524236 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524237 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524238 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524239 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1524240 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524241 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524242 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524243 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 15242440 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 15242441 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 15242442 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 15242443 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 15242444 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 15242445 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 15242446 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 15242447 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 15242448 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 15242449 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 15242450 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242451 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242452 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242453 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242454 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242455 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242456 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242457 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242458 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242459 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242460 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242461 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242462 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242463 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242464 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242465 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242466 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242467 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242468 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242469 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242470 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242471 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242472 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242473 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242474 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242475 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242476 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242477 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242478 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242479 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242480 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242481 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242482 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242483 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242484 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242485 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242486 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242487 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242488 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242489 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524249 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524250 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524251 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524252 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242530 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242531 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242532 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242533 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242534 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242535 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242536 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242537 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242538 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242539 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242540 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 15242541 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 15242542 | Free | — |
| +44 15242543 | Free | — |
| +44 15242544 | Free | — |
| +44 15242545 | Free | — |
| +44 15242546 | Free | — |
| +44 15242547 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242548 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242549 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524255 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 15242560 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 15242561 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 15242562 | Allocated | Reality Network Services Limited |
| +44 15242563 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 15242564 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 15242565 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 15242566 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 15242567 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 15242568 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 15242569 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 15242570 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242571 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242572 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242573 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242574 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242575 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242576 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242577 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242578 | Protected | — |
| +44 15242579 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524258 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524259 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152426 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524270 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524271 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524272 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524273 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524274 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524276 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524277 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524279 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1524280 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1524281 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524282 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1524283 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524284 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1524285 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 1524286 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1524287 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1524288 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524289 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 1524290 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524291 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 1524292 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 1524293 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 1524294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1524297 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1524298 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1524299 | Protected | — |
| +44 152430 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152431 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 152432 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152433 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152434 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152435 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152436 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 152437 | Allocated | BT |
Related lookups
- 01995 Garstang17 km away
- 01229 Barrow-in-Furness28 km away
- 01253 Blackpool29 km away
- 01539 Kendal31 km away
- BT91 allocated blocks on 01524
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)29 allocated blocks on 01524
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited15 allocated blocks on 01524
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Lancashire codesSame region
- All UK area codesBrowse every 01/02 dialling code
- Lookup any UK numberFree reverse phone lookup
- UK area codes explainedCornerstone guide
- 020 London numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- 0330 numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- How Ofcom allocates UK phone numbersCornerstone guide
FAQs about 01524
Where is area code 01524?
01524 is Ofcom's Lancaster numbering area, in Lancashire, North West England. Its exchange town is in Lancashire. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1524.
Do I need to dial 01524 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01524 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01524 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01524 numbers written?
Numbers on 01524 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01524 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1524 then the local number.
What was the 01524 area code before?
01524 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0524. Old signage or stationery showing 0524 refers to the same Lancaster numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01524 numbers?
Ofcom lists 94 providers with allocated blocks on 01524. The largest are BT with 91 of the 297 allocated blocks, Vodafone with 29 of the 297 allocated blocks and Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 15 of the 297 allocated blocks. Numbers can be ported, so a number's current provider may differ from the block's holder.
Which area codes are next to 01524?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01995 Garstang (17 km), 01229 Barrow-in-Furness (28 km), 01253 Blackpool (29 km) and 01539 Kendal (31 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01524 number?
On a mobile, text the caller's number to 7726 (free). If you lost money or shared details, call your bank and report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040), which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.