UK area code
01981 area code — Wormbridge
01981 is Ofcom’s Wormbridge numbering area, in Herefordshire, West Midlands England. 84 phone companies hold its 107 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01981 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01432 Hereford (13 km) and 01989 Ross-on-Wye (18 km).
01981 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Wormbridge
- County
- Herefordshire
- Council area
- Herefordshire, County of
- Region
- West Midlands England
- Number format
- 01981 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0981)
- Allocated blocks
- 107 of 406 (26%) across 84 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 01981 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.
01981 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01981 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01981 234 567.
Before 1995: 01981 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 0981.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01981 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01981 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01981 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 01981 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01981 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01981, 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 | 1 May 2020 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 10 | 10 | — | — |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 2 | 2 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 9 July 2014 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 2 | 2 | 28 April 2005 | 22 September 2021 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 19 January 2012 | 19 January 2012 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 28 September 2012 | 28 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 27 January 2020 | 27 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 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 20 September 2017 | 20 September 2017 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 15 April 2009 | 15 April 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 14 April 2010 | 14 April 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 8 October 2008 | 8 October 2008 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 10 July 2020 | 10 July 2020 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 11 April 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 21 July 2009 | 21 July 2009 |
| Calltracks Limited | 1 | 1 | 4 February 2014 | 4 February 2014 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 24 June 2016 | 24 June 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 October 2012 | 10 October 2012 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 January 2019 | 22 January 2019 |
| 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 | 23 June 2022 | 23 June 2022 |
| Entanet International Ltd | 1 | 1 | 20 December 2007 | 20 December 2007 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 1 November 2005 | 1 November 2005 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 December 2023 | 22 December 2023 |
Showing the 30 largest of 84 holders.
All number blocks on 01981first 200 of 406, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 198100 | Protected | — |
| +44 198101 | Protected | — |
| +44 198102 | Protected | — |
| +44 198103 | Protected | — |
| +44 198104 | Protected | — |
| +44 198105 | Protected | — |
| +44 198106 | Protected | — |
| +44 198107 | Protected | — |
| +44 198108 | Protected | — |
| +44 198109 | Protected | — |
| +44 198110 | Protected | — |
| +44 198111 | Protected | — |
| +44 198112 | Protected | — |
| +44 198113 | Protected | — |
| +44 198114 | Protected | — |
| +44 198115 | Protected | — |
| +44 198116 | Protected | — |
| +44 198117 | Protected | — |
| +44 198118 | Protected | — |
| +44 198119 | Protected | — |
| +44 198120 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1981210 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1981211 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1981212 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981213 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981214 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1981215 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1981216 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1981217 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1981218 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1981219 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 198122 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981230 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981231 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981232 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981233 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981234 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981235 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981236 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981237 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981238 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981239 | Protected | — |
| +44 198124 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198125 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198126 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 198127 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981280 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1981281 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1981282 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1981283 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981284 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1981285 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1981286 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1981287 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981288 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1981289 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981290 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981291 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981292 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981293 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981297 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981298 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981299 | Protected | — |
| +44 198130 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 198131 | Allocated | Entanet International Ltd |
| +44 198132 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 198133 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 1981340 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1981341 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1981342 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1981343 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1981344 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1981345 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1981346 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1981347 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1981348 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1981349 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 198135 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 198136 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 198137 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 198138 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 1981390 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1981391 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981392 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981393 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981394 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981395 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981396 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981397 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981398 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981399 | Protected | — |
| +44 198140 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 198141 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 1981420 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981421 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981422 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981423 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981424 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981425 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981426 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981427 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981428 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981429 | Protected | — |
| +44 198143 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 198144 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 1981450 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981451 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981452 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981453 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981454 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981455 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981456 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981457 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981458 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1981459 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 198146 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981470 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981471 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981472 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981473 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981474 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981475 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981476 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981477 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1981478 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981479 | Protected | — |
| +44 198148 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 198149 | Allocated | Nationwide Telephone Assistance Ltd |
| +44 198150 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198151 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198152 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981530 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981531 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981532 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981533 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981534 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981535 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981536 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981537 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981538 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1981539 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 198154 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198155 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198156 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 198157 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198158 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198159 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198160 | Protected | — |
| +44 198161 | Protected | — |
| +44 198162 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 198163 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 198164 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 198165 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 198166 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 198167 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 198168 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 198169 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 198170 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 198171 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 198172 | Protected | — |
| +44 198173 | Protected | — |
| +44 198174 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1981750 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1981751 | Allocated | Calltracks Limited |
| +44 1981752 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1981753 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981754 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1981755 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1981756 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981757 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1981758 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1981759 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1981760 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1981761 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1981762 | Free | — |
| +44 1981763 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1981764 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1981765 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1981766 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1981767 | Allocated | INFERNO COMMUNICATIONS LTD |
| +44 1981768 | Free | — |
| +44 1981769 | Free | — |
| +44 1981770 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1981771 | Free | — |
| +44 1981772 | Free | — |
| +44 1981773 | Free | — |
| +44 1981774 | Free | — |
| +44 1981775 | Free | — |
| +44 1981776 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981777 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981778 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981779 | Protected | — |
| +44 1981780 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1981781 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1981782 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1981783 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1981784 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
Related lookups
- 01432 Hereford13 km away
- 01989 Ross-on-Wye18 km away
- 01600 Monmouth19 km away
- 01873 Abergavenny20 km away
- BT10 allocated blocks on 01981
- Six Degrees Technology Group Limited10 allocated blocks on 01981
- Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited2 allocated blocks on 01981
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Herefordshire 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 01981
Where is area code 01981?
01981 is Ofcom's Wormbridge numbering area, in Herefordshire, West Midlands England. Its exchange town is in Herefordshire, County of. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1981.
Do I need to dial 01981 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01981 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01981 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01981 numbers written?
Numbers on 01981 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01981 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1981 then the local number.
What was the 01981 area code before?
01981 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 0981. Old signage or stationery showing 0981 refers to the same Wormbridge numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01981 numbers?
Ofcom lists 84 providers with allocated blocks on 01981. The largest are BT with 10 of the 107 allocated blocks, Six Degrees Technology Group Limited with 10 of the 107 allocated blocks and Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited with 2 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 01981?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01432 Hereford (13 km), 01989 Ross-on-Wye (18 km), 01600 Monmouth (19 km) and 01873 Abergavenny (20 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01981 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.