UK telephones

To call the UK from another country, remember that the international code for the UK is ++44. This has to be followed by the British area code without the initial 0, and then the number requested. For example: ++44-20-71234567. If you called the same number from within the UK, it would be 020-71234567. From the USA, you dial the international dialling code, 011, and the country code for the UK, 44. For example: 011-44-20-71234567.

Telephone area codes for London have changed a few times over the last few years.
It may be useful to be aware of these changes, in case you encounter the old codes for lack of updating (shop signs are the worst offenders in this respect, but out-of-date stationery and publications or van and lorry signs can also be misleading).
The current area code for London is 020. All London phone numbers now have 8 digits: every number of Central London now begins with 7, and every number of Outer London now begins with 8.
Previously, Central London area code was 0171, Outer London 0181.
Before that, Central London area code was 071, Outer London 081.
And even before, the code was 01 for the whole of London, centre and suburbs alike.

You can call another country from the UK direct from any telephone, private or public. To call the States, dial 001 followed by the area code and number.

If you want to make an international phone call from Britain reversing the charge, you can dial 155, which is the International Operator, and ask to make a collect call. You'll be connected with the requested number as soon as they have accepted to pay for the call.

Calls to Directory Enquiries give you information on other people's numbers.

Phone calls are charged per minute. The price per minute varies depending on the time of day, with daytime calls being more expensive than evening and weekend calls; it also depends on the destination of your call.

Most phone calls are charged geographically, with call prices related to the distance of the call. So a local call to the same area code is cheaper than a national call to another area code of the UK, which in turn is cheaper than an international call to a number in another country.

However, other calls, such as those to mobile phones or information and premium rate services, are charged at rates that are the same irrespective of where you are calling from and of the destination of the call.

The telephone codes 0800, 0500, 00800 and 0808 correspond to Freephones (sometimes spelled Freefones) and the call costs nothing. The codes 0845 and 0345 indicate that the call will be charged at local rates, the codes 0990 and 0870 at national rates.

Phone boxes

The famous red phone boxes, along with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and the double-decker buses one of the most easily recognizable traditional symbols of England, have been around for a very long time. They were in fact introduced as early as 1884, when telephone (invented by the Italian Meucci, not by Bell as erroneously and commonly believed) was still a new gadget.

Although many phone boxes are now of new design, the old red boxes are treated with much respect, even exhibited as part of sculptures in public places. It's even possible sometimes to see them in private houses front gardens.
In some natural reserves and protected areas the phone boxes are green, camouflaged, so to speak, with the surrounding veegetation.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

• Emergency: Fire, Ambulance, Police - 999
• Operator - 100
• Time - 123
• Customer Services - 150
• International Operator - 155
• UK Directory Inquiries - 118 500
• International Directory Enquiries - 118 505
• To know the last number calling your phone - 1471
• Recording service - 1571