Postal codes in the United Kingdom facts for kids

Street name signs on Birdbrook Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, showing old "Birmingham 22" (top) and modern "B44" postcodes.

UK postal codes are known as postcodes.

UK postcodes use letters and numbers. The British Prime Minister's postcode at 10 Downing Street is SW1A 2AA.

These codes were started by the Royal Mail over a 15-year period from 1959 to 1974 – the full list is now available electronically from the Royal Mail as the Postcode Address File. They were made to help electronically sort mail.

Postcodes are now used for many other purposes such as insurance calculations, and as a way to describe United Kingdom places to sat navs.

Images for kids

Elton Road name sign in Bristol displaying the postcode district BS8
Whiteladies Road name sign outside Broadcasting House, Bristol displaying the postcode district without the postcode area BS

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Postal codes in the United Kingdom Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.