UK area code
01606 area code — Northwich
01606 is Ofcom’s Northwich numbering area, in Cheshire, North West England. 96 phone companies hold its 204 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01606 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01565 Knutsford (10 km) and 01477 Holmes Chapel (12 km).
01606 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Northwich
- County
- Cheshire
- Council area
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Region
- North West England
- Number format
- 01606 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0606)
- Allocated blocks
- 204 of 406 (50%) across 96 providers
- Newest block
- 26 January 2026 (1 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01606 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.
01606 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01606 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01606 234 567.
Before 1995: 01606 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 0606.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01606 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01606 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01606 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 26 January 2026. 1 block was allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01606 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01606 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01606, 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 | 40 | 40 | 15 July 1994 | 11 July 2024 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 18 | 18 | 15 November 2012 | 30 January 2025 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 14 | 14 | 6 September 2013 | 10 November 2021 |
| Sky UK Limited | 12 | 12 | 2 July 2013 | 22 September 2021 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 7 | 7 | 28 September 2007 | 13 April 2018 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 6 | 6 | 17 November 2011 | 17 November 2011 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 5 | 5 | 2 May 2017 | 26 February 2024 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 4 | 4 | 25 July 2011 | 25 July 2011 |
| Colt Technology Services | 3 | 3 | 5 May 2015 | 4 September 2024 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 3 | 3 | 16 May 2008 | 12 April 2016 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 5 October 2023 | 5 October 2023 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Invoco Ltd | 2 | 2 | 2 November 2011 | 29 February 2012 |
| Orbtalk Limited | 2 | 2 | 7 February 2012 | 7 February 2012 |
| Resilient Limited | 2 | 2 | 12 September 2011 | 12 September 2011 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 2 | 2 | 3 March 2017 | 20 December 2017 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 12 September 2012 | 12 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 21 January 2020 | 21 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 April 2012 | 5 April 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 1 November 2004 | 1 November 2004 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2017 | 17 January 2017 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 3 March 2017 | 3 March 2017 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 23 March 2009 | 23 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 24 March 2010 | 24 March 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 June 2007 | 22 June 2007 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 20 June 2016 | 20 June 2016 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 11 April 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| Buzz Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2010 | 1 March 2010 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 14 July 2009 | 14 July 2009 |
Showing the 30 largest of 96 holders.
Openreach exchanges at Northwich
Exchanges Openreach lists at this location in its copper stop-sell programme, with the date new copper orders stop.
All number blocks on 01606first 200 of 406, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 160600 | Protected | — |
| +44 160601 | Protected | — |
| +44 160602 | Protected | — |
| +44 160603 | Protected | — |
| +44 160604 | Protected | — |
| +44 160605 | Protected | — |
| +44 160606 | Protected | — |
| +44 160607 | Protected | — |
| +44 160608 | Protected | — |
| +44 160609 | Protected | — |
| +44 160610 | Protected | — |
| +44 160611 | Protected | — |
| +44 160612 | Protected | — |
| +44 160613 | Protected | — |
| +44 160614 | Protected | — |
| +44 160615 | Protected | — |
| +44 160616 | Protected | — |
| +44 160617 | Protected | — |
| +44 160618 | Protected | — |
| +44 160619 | Protected | — |
| +44 160620 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 1606210 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1606211 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 1606212 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1606213 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 1606214 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1606215 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1606216 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 1606217 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 1606218 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1606219 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 1606220 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1606221 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 1606222 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 1606223 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 1606224 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1606225 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606226 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1606227 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1606228 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1606229 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 1606230 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606231 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606232 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606233 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606234 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606235 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606236 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606237 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606238 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606239 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606240 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 1606241 | Allocated | Buzz Networks Limited |
| +44 1606242 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606243 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1606244 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1606245 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606246 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1606247 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1606248 | Allocated | Calltracks Limited |
| +44 1606249 | Allocated | Core Telecom Limited |
| +44 1606250 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 1606251 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1606252 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1606253 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606254 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1606255 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606256 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 1606257 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1606258 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1606259 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1606260 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 1606261 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1606262 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1606263 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1606264 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1606265 | Allocated | TelXL Limited |
| +44 1606266 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606267 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606268 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606269 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 1606270 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1606271 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606272 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606273 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1606274 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606275 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606276 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1606277 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1606278 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1606279 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606280 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606281 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606282 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606283 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606284 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606285 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606286 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606287 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606288 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606289 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606290 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 1606291 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606292 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606293 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606297 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606298 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606299 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 160630 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160631 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606320 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1606321 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606322 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606323 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1606324 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1606325 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606326 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606327 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606328 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606329 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 160633 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606340 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606341 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606342 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606343 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606344 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606345 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606346 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606347 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606348 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606349 | Protected | — |
| +44 160635 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606360 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606361 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1606362 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1606363 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1606364 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1606365 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1606366 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1606367 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1606368 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1606369 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1606370 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606371 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606372 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606373 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606374 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1606375 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606376 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606377 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606378 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606379 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606380 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606381 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606382 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606383 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606384 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606385 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606386 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606387 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606388 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606389 | Protected | — |
| +44 160639 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 160640 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160641 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160642 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160643 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160644 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160645 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160646 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160647 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160648 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 160649 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606500 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606501 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606502 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606503 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606504 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606505 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606506 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606507 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606508 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606509 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606510 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606511 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1606512 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1606513 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1606514 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606515 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1606516 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1606517 | Allocated | Lanonyx Telecom Limited |
| +44 1606518 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606519 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1606520 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1606521 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606522 | Protected | — |
| +44 1606523 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
Related lookups
- 01565 Knutsford10 km away
- 01477 Holmes Chapel12 km away
- 01928 Runcorn15 km away
- 01925 Warrington15 km away
- BT40 allocated blocks on 01606
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited18 allocated blocks on 01606
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)14 allocated blocks on 01606
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Cheshire 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 01606
Where is area code 01606?
01606 is Ofcom's Northwich numbering area, in Cheshire, North West England. Its exchange town is in Cheshire West and Chester. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1606.
Do I need to dial 01606 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01606 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01606 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01606 numbers written?
Numbers on 01606 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01606 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1606 then the local number.
What was the 01606 area code before?
01606 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 0606. Old signage or stationery showing 0606 refers to the same Northwich numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01606 numbers?
Ofcom lists 96 providers with allocated blocks on 01606. The largest are BT with 40 of the 204 allocated blocks, Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 18 of the 204 allocated blocks and Vodafone with 14 of the 204 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 01606?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01565 Knutsford (10 km), 01477 Holmes Chapel (12 km), 01928 Runcorn (15 km) and 01925 Warrington (15 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01606 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.