UK area code
01896 area code — Galashiels
01896 is Ofcom’s Galashiels numbering area, in Scottish Borders, Scotland. 88 phone companies hold its 107 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01896 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01750 Selkirk (8 km) and 01835 St Boswells (11 km).
01896 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Galashiels
- Council area
- Scottish Borders
- Country
- Scotland
- Number format
- 01896 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0896)
- Allocated blocks
- 107 of 406 (26%) across 88 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 01896 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.
01896 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01896 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01896 234 567.
Before 1995: 01896 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 0896.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01896 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01896 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01896 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 01896 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01896 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01896, 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 | 10 | 10 | 15 July 1994 | 28 January 2021 |
| Sky UK Limited | 3 | 3 | 27 June 2013 | 1 June 2023 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 3 | 3 | 18 January 2012 | 19 June 2013 |
| Chess Limited | 2 | 2 | 6 April 2018 | 6 April 2018 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 4 June 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 2 | 2 | 2 May 2017 | 22 December 2023 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 2 | 2 | 25 April 2005 | 22 September 2021 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 2 | 2 | 9 September 2013 | 12 November 2021 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 26 September 2012 | 26 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 19 April 2012 | 19 April 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 January 2008 | 3 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 29 November 2016 | 29 November 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 9 April 2009 | 9 April 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 April 2010 | 12 April 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 June 2007 | 21 June 2007 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 April 2023 | 3 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 20 July 2009 | 20 July 2009 |
| Calltracks Limited | 1 | 1 | 20 September 2013 | 20 September 2013 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 28 October 2015 | 28 October 2015 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 11 October 2012 | 11 October 2012 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| Core Telecom Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 August 2010 | 5 August 2010 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 January 2019 | 22 January 2019 |
| DRD Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 October 2023 | 5 October 2023 |
| Datazero Ltd | 1 | 1 | 21 August 2023 | 21 August 2023 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 8 January 2020 | 8 January 2020 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 22 June 2022 | 22 June 2022 |
Showing the 30 largest of 88 holders.
Openreach exchanges at Galashiels
Exchanges Openreach lists at this location in its copper stop-sell programme, with the date new copper orders stop.
- Galashiels(GL) ESGALStop sell 19-Aug-25 · Tranche 17
All number blocks on 01896first 200 of 406, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 189600 | Protected | — |
| +44 189601 | Protected | — |
| +44 189602 | Protected | — |
| +44 189603 | Protected | — |
| +44 189604 | Protected | — |
| +44 189605 | Protected | — |
| +44 189606 | Protected | — |
| +44 189607 | Protected | — |
| +44 189608 | Protected | — |
| +44 189609 | Protected | — |
| +44 189610 | Protected | — |
| +44 189611 | Protected | — |
| +44 189612 | Protected | — |
| +44 189613 | Protected | — |
| +44 189614 | Protected | — |
| +44 189615 | Protected | — |
| +44 189616 | Protected | — |
| +44 189617 | Protected | — |
| +44 189618 | Protected | — |
| +44 189619 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896200 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896201 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896202 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896203 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896204 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896205 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896206 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896207 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896208 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1896209 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 189621 | Allocated | Entanet International Ltd |
| +44 189622 | Protected | — |
| +44 189623 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 189624 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1896250 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896251 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896252 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896253 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896254 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896255 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896256 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896257 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1896258 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896259 | Protected | — |
| +44 189626 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 189627 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 189628 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 189629 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 189630 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1896310 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1896311 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1896312 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1896313 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896314 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1896315 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1896316 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1896317 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1896318 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1896319 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 189632 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 1896330 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1896331 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896332 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896333 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896334 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896335 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896336 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896337 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896338 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896339 | Protected | — |
| +44 189634 | Protected | — |
| +44 189635 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 189636 | Protected | — |
| +44 189637 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 189638 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 189639 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 189640 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 189641 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 189642 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 189643 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 189644 | Protected | — |
| +44 189645 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1896460 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896461 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 1896462 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896463 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896464 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896465 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896466 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896467 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896468 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896469 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896470 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1896471 | Allocated | Calltracks Limited |
| +44 1896472 | Allocated | Core Telecom Limited |
| +44 1896473 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1896474 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1896475 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1896476 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1896477 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1896478 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1896479 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896480 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1896481 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896482 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1896483 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896484 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1896485 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896486 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1896487 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1896488 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896489 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896490 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1896491 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1896492 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896493 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1896494 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1896495 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1896496 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1896497 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1896498 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1896499 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1896500 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896501 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1896502 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1896503 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1896504 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1896505 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896506 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1896507 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1896508 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1896509 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 1896510 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896511 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896512 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896513 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896514 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896515 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896516 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896517 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896518 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896519 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896520 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896521 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896522 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896523 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896524 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896525 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896526 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896527 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896528 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896529 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896530 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896531 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896532 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896533 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896534 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896535 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896536 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896537 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896538 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896539 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896540 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896541 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896542 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896543 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896544 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896545 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896546 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896547 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896548 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896549 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896550 | Allocated | Fluency Communications Ltd |
| +44 1896551 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1896552 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1896553 | Allocated | Mintaka Limited |
| +44 1896554 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 1896555 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1896556 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1896557 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1896558 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1896559 | Protected | — |
| +44 1896560 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1896561 | Free | — |
| +44 1896562 | Free | — |
| +44 1896563 | Free | — |
| +44 1896564 | Free | — |
| +44 1896565 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1896566 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1896567 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1896568 | Free | — |
| +44 1896569 | Free | — |
| +44 1896570 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1896571 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 1896572 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1896573 | Free | — |
| +44 1896574 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1896575 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1896576 | Free | — |
| +44 1896577 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
Related lookups
- 01750 Selkirk8 km away
- 01835 St Boswells11 km away
- 01578 Lauder12 km away
- 01450 Hawick21 km away
- BT10 allocated blocks on 01896
- Sky UK Limited3 allocated blocks on 01896
- TalkTalk Communications Limited3 allocated blocks on 01896
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Scotland 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 01896
Where is area code 01896?
01896 is Ofcom's Galashiels numbering area, in Scottish Borders, Scotland. Its exchange town is in Scottish Borders. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1896.
Do I need to dial 01896 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01896 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01896 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01896 numbers written?
Numbers on 01896 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01896 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1896 then the local number.
What was the 01896 area code before?
01896 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 0896. Old signage or stationery showing 0896 refers to the same Galashiels numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01896 numbers?
Ofcom lists 88 providers with allocated blocks on 01896. The largest are BT with 10 of the 107 allocated blocks, Sky UK Limited with 3 of the 107 allocated blocks and TalkTalk Communications Limited with 3 of the 107 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 01896?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01750 Selkirk (8 km), 01835 St Boswells (11 km), 01578 Lauder (12 km) and 01450 Hawick (21 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01896 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.