UK area code
01856 area code — Orkney
01856 is Ofcom’s Orkney numbering area, in Orkney Islands, Scotland. 83 phone companies hold its 131 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01856 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01857 Sanday (37 km) and 01847 Thurso (54 km).
01856 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Orkney
- Council area
- Orkney Islands
- Country
- Scotland
- Number format
- 01856 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0856)
- Allocated blocks
- 131 of 388 (34%) across 83 providers
- Newest block
- 22 January 2024
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01856 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 Police Scotland on 101. In Scotland fraud goes to Police Scotland rather than Report Fraud.
01856 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01856 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01856 234 567.
Before 1995: 01856 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 0856.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01856 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01856 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01856 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 22 January 2024. (See the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01856 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01856, 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 | 22 | 22 | 15 July 1994 | 15 July 2005 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 10 | 10 | 19 November 2012 | 19 November 2012 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 6 | 6 | 18 November 2011 | 18 November 2011 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 6 | 6 | 6 September 2013 | 12 November 2021 |
| Barritel Limited | 3 | 3 | 16 November 2011 | 16 November 2011 |
| Resilient Limited | 3 | 3 | 12 September 2011 | 14 May 2014 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 23 May 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Served Up Limited | 2 | 2 | 1 March 2013 | 1 March 2013 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 31 August 2011 | 31 August 2011 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 26 September 2012 | 26 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 21 January 2020 | 21 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 18 April 2012 | 18 April 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 January 2008 | 3 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 29 November 2016 | 29 November 2016 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 20 September 2017 | 20 September 2017 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 7 September 2011 | 7 September 2011 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 April 2010 | 12 April 2010 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 17 November 2020 | 17 November 2020 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 2 March 2012 | 2 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 11 April 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 July 2009 | 17 July 2009 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 18 July 2016 | 18 July 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 11 October 2012 | 11 October 2012 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 January 2019 | 21 January 2019 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 October 2023 | 5 October 2023 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 8 January 2020 | 8 January 2020 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 1 | 1 | 26 June 2012 | 26 June 2012 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 21 July 2022 | 21 July 2022 |
Showing the 30 largest of 83 holders.
All number blocks on 01856first 200 of 388, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 185600 | Protected | — |
| +44 185601 | Protected | — |
| +44 185602 | Protected | — |
| +44 185603 | Protected | — |
| +44 185604 | Protected | — |
| +44 185605 | Protected | — |
| +44 185606 | Protected | — |
| +44 185607 | Protected | — |
| +44 185608 | Protected | — |
| +44 185609 | Protected | — |
| +44 185610 | Protected | — |
| +44 185611 | Protected | — |
| +44 185612 | Protected | — |
| +44 185613 | Protected | — |
| +44 185614 | Protected | — |
| +44 185615 | Protected | — |
| +44 185616 | Protected | — |
| +44 185617 | Protected | — |
| +44 185618 | Protected | — |
| +44 185619 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856200 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1856201 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856202 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856203 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856204 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856205 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856206 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856207 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856208 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856209 | Protected | — |
| +44 185621 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 185622 | Protected | — |
| +44 185623 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 1856240 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856241 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856242 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856243 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856244 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856245 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856246 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856247 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1856248 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856249 | Protected | — |
| +44 185625 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 185626 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 1856270 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 1856271 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856273 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856274 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856277 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856279 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 185628 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 185629 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1856300 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856301 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856302 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856303 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856304 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856305 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856306 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856307 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856308 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856309 | Protected | — |
| +44 185631 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1856320 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1856321 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856322 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856323 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856324 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856325 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856326 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856327 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856328 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856329 | Protected | — |
| +44 185633 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856340 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856341 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856342 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1856343 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1856344 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856345 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856346 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856347 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856348 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856349 | Protected | — |
| +44 185635 | Protected | — |
| +44 185636 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 185637 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 185638 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 185639 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 1856400 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856401 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856402 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856403 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856404 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 1856405 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856406 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856407 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856408 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856409 | Protected | — |
| +44 185641 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 185642 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 185643 | Protected | — |
| +44 185644 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 185645 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1856460 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1856461 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856462 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856463 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1856464 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1856465 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1856466 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1856467 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1856468 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1856469 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856470 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1856471 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856472 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856473 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1856474 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1856475 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856476 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1856477 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1856478 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1856479 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1856480 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1856481 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1856482 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1856483 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1856484 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856485 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1856486 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1856487 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856488 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1856489 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1856490 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1856491 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1856492 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856493 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1856494 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1856495 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1856496 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1856497 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1856498 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856499 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1856500 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1856501 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1856502 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1856503 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1856504 | Free | — |
| +44 1856505 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1856506 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1856507 | Free | — |
| +44 1856508 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1856509 | Free | — |
| +44 1856510 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1856511 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 1856512 | Allocated | Lanonyx Telecom Limited |
| +44 1856513 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1856514 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1856515 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1856516 | Free | — |
| +44 1856517 | Free | — |
| +44 1856518 | Free | — |
| +44 1856519 | Free | — |
| +44 1856520 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856521 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856522 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856523 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856524 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856525 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856526 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856527 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856528 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1856529 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856530 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1856531 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856532 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856533 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856534 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856535 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856536 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856537 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856538 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856539 | Protected | — |
| +44 185654 | Protected | — |
| +44 185655 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856560 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1856561 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1856562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856565 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1856566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1856568 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
Related lookups
- 01857 Sanday37 km away
- 01847 Thurso54 km away
- 01955 Wick60 km away
- 01641 Strathy76 km away
- BT22 allocated blocks on 01856
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited10 allocated blocks on 01856
- Magrathea Telecommunications Limited6 allocated blocks on 01856
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Orkney 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 01856
Where is area code 01856?
01856 is Ofcom's Orkney numbering area, in Orkney Islands, Scotland. Its exchange town is in Orkney Islands. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1856.
Do I need to dial 01856 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01856 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01856 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01856 numbers written?
Numbers on 01856 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01856 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1856 then the local number.
What was the 01856 area code before?
01856 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 0856. Old signage or stationery showing 0856 refers to the same Orkney numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01856 numbers?
Ofcom lists 83 providers with allocated blocks on 01856. The largest are BT with 22 of the 131 allocated blocks, Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 10 of the 131 allocated blocks and Magrathea Telecommunications Limited with 6 of the 131 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 01856?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01857 Sanday (37 km), 01847 Thurso (54 km), 01955 Wick (60 km) and 01641 Strathy (76 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01856 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 Police Scotland on 101. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.