UK area code
01538 area code — Ipstones
01538 is Ofcom’s Ipstones numbering area, in Staffordshire, West Midlands England. 87 phone companies hold its 115 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01538 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01782 Stoke-on-Trent (14 km) and 01335 Ashbourne (16 km).
01538 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Ipstones
- County
- Staffordshire
- Council area
- Staffordshire
- Region
- West Midlands England
- Number format
- 01538 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0538)
- Allocated blocks
- 115 of 397 (29%) across 87 providers
- Newest block
- 17 March 2026 (2 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01538 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.
01538 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01538 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01538 234 567.
Before 1995: 01538 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 0538.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01538 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01538 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01538 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 17 March 2026. 2 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01538 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01538 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01538, 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 | 11 | 11 | 15 July 1994 | 20 March 2024 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 11 | 11 | 2 May 2017 | 26 February 2024 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 3 | 3 | 19 January 2012 | 12 February 2013 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 3 | 3 | 5 September 2013 | 10 November 2021 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 30 April 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 4 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 2 | 2 | 18 April 2005 | 12 January 2024 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 3 April 2020 | 3 April 2020 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 30 March 2012 | 30 March 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 4 January 2008 | 4 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 December 2016 | 21 December 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 19 March 2009 | 19 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 14 May 2010 | 14 May 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 8 October 2008 | 8 October 2008 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 6 February 2020 | 6 February 2020 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 5 March 2012 | 5 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 April 2023 | 3 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 13 July 2009 | 13 July 2009 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 4 July 2016 | 4 July 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 29 August 2013 | 29 August 2013 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 January 2019 | 22 January 2019 |
| Datazero Ltd | 1 | 1 | 2 November 2010 | 2 November 2010 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 December 2019 | 10 December 2019 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 April 2010 | 27 April 2010 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 13 May 2022 | 13 May 2022 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 October 2005 | 21 October 2005 |
| HAVENSTOKE COMMUNICATIONS LTD | 1 | 1 | 17 March 2026 | 17 March 2026 |
| Hello Telecom (UK) Limited | 1 | 1 | 23 July 2012 | 23 July 2012 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 25 April 2017 | 25 April 2017 |
Showing the 30 largest of 87 holders.
All number blocks on 01538first 200 of 397, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 153800 | Protected | — |
| +44 153801 | Protected | — |
| +44 153802 | Protected | — |
| +44 153803 | Protected | — |
| +44 153804 | Protected | — |
| +44 153805 | Protected | — |
| +44 153806 | Protected | — |
| +44 153807 | Protected | — |
| +44 153808 | Protected | — |
| +44 153809 | Protected | — |
| +44 153810 | Protected | — |
| +44 153811 | Protected | — |
| +44 153812 | Protected | — |
| +44 153813 | Protected | — |
| +44 153814 | Protected | — |
| +44 153815 | Protected | — |
| +44 153816 | Protected | — |
| +44 153817 | Protected | — |
| +44 153818 | Protected | — |
| +44 153819 | Protected | — |
| +44 153820 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 153821 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1538220 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1538221 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1538222 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538223 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1538224 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1538225 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1538226 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1538227 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1538228 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1538229 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 153823 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538240 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1538241 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538242 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538243 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538244 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538245 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538246 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538247 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538248 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538249 | Protected | — |
| +44 153825 | Protected | — |
| +44 153826 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153827 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 153828 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 153829 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 153830 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153831 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 153832 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1538330 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538331 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538332 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538333 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538334 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538335 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538336 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538337 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538338 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538339 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 153834 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1538350 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538351 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538352 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538353 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538354 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538355 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538356 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538357 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538358 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538359 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 153836 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153837 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153838 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153839 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1538400 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538401 | Free | — |
| +44 1538402 | Free | — |
| +44 1538403 | Free | — |
| +44 1538404 | Free | — |
| +44 1538405 | Free | — |
| +44 1538406 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538407 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538408 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538409 | Protected | — |
| +44 153841 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 153842 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 153843 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 153844 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538450 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1538451 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538452 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538453 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538454 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1538455 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538456 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538457 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538458 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538459 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538460 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538461 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538462 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538463 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538464 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538465 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538466 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538467 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538468 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538469 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538470 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538471 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538472 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538473 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538474 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538475 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538476 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538477 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1538478 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538479 | Protected | — |
| +44 153848 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153849 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1538500 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538501 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538502 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538503 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538504 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538505 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538506 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538507 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538508 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538509 | Protected | — |
| +44 153851 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 1538520 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538521 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538522 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538523 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538524 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538525 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538526 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538527 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538528 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1538529 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 153853 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 153854 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1538550 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538551 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538552 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538553 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538554 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538555 | Allocated | Planet Telecom Ltd |
| +44 1538556 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538557 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538558 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538559 | Protected | — |
| +44 153856 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 1538570 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538571 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538572 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538573 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538574 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538575 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538576 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538577 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1538578 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538579 | Protected | — |
| +44 153858 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 153859 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 153860 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 153861 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 153862 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 153863 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 153864 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 153865 | Protected | — |
| +44 153866 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 153867 | Protected | — |
| +44 153868 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 153869 | Protected | — |
| +44 153870 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153871 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 153872 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 153873 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 1538740 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538741 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538742 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538743 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538744 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538745 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538746 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538747 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538748 | Protected | — |
| +44 1538749 | Protected | — |
| +44 153875 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1538760 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1538761 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1538762 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1538763 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 1538764 | Allocated | Internetty Ltd |
| +44 1538765 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1538766 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
Related lookups
- 01782 Stoke-on-Trent14 km away
- 01335 Ashbourne16 km away
- 01260 Congleton21 km away
- 01298 Buxton23 km away
- BT11 allocated blocks on 01538
- GCI Network Solutions Limited11 allocated blocks on 01538
- TalkTalk Communications Limited3 allocated blocks on 01538
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Staffordshire 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 01538
Where is area code 01538?
01538 is Ofcom's Ipstones numbering area, in Staffordshire, West Midlands England. Its exchange town is in Staffordshire. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1538.
Do I need to dial 01538 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01538 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01538 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01538 numbers written?
Numbers on 01538 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01538 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1538 then the local number.
What was the 01538 area code before?
01538 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 0538. Old signage or stationery showing 0538 refers to the same Ipstones numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01538 numbers?
Ofcom lists 87 providers with allocated blocks on 01538. The largest are BT with 11 of the 115 allocated blocks, GCI Network Solutions Limited with 11 of the 115 allocated blocks and TalkTalk Communications Limited with 3 of the 115 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 01538?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01782 Stoke-on-Trent (14 km), 01335 Ashbourne (16 km), 01260 Congleton (21 km) and 01298 Buxton (23 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01538 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.