How much does it cost to call a 01242 number?

Calls to 01242 numbers are standard geographic landline calls, charged at your provider’s normal UK landline rate and usually included in inclusive minutes — the same as calling an 03 number.

I had a missed call from a 01242 number — is it a scam?

Not necessarily, but be careful: scammers spoof local codes such as 01242 so a call looks like it’s from Cheltenham and you’re more likely to answer. If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation back on a number you find independently.

How do I dial a Cheltenham number from abroad?

Drop the leading 0 and add +44. A number written as 01242 XXXXXX becomes +44 1242 XXXXXX when dialled internationally.

Can this tool tell me who owns the number?

No. It shows the area of the dialling code and the provider Ofcom allocated the number range to — not the individual or business holding a specific number, which may also have been ported to another network.

01242 Area Code – Cheltenham | Dialling Code, Format & Call Charges

Q: Where is the 01242 area code?

01242 is the UK geographic dialling code for Cheltenham. Any number written as 01242 XXXXXX is tied to the Cheltenham dialling-code area, though with modern VoIP a business can keep its 01242 number after moving away.

Dialling code: 01242
Area: Cheltenham
Number type: Geographic landline (01/02)
Local format: 01242 XXXXXX
From abroad: +44 1242 XXXXXX
Ofcom number blocks: 379
Blocks in service: 209
Range holders: 105

Where is the 01242 area code?

The 01242 dialling code is the UK geographic area code for Cheltenham. Because 01242 is a geographic (01/02) code, a number using it is tied to the Cheltenham dialling-code area — though with modern hosted telephony (VoIP) a business can keep a 01242 number after moving premises, so the code reflects the number’s designated area rather than a guaranteed physical location today.

Ofcom currently lists 379 number blocks under 01242, of which 209 are allocated to 105 communications providers.

Cheltenham phone number format

A Cheltenham number is made up of a 5-digit area code followed by a 5 or 6-digit local number. Written in full it looks like 01242 XXXXXX (the Xs stand for the local digits). Ofcom has not reserved a fictitious drama range for 01242; for on-screen examples it recommends the unused 01632 960000–01632 960999 range.

Who holds 01242 number ranges?

Ofcom allocates 01242 numbers to providers in blocks. These providers hold the largest allocations under 01242:

Range holder (allocated by Ofcom)	Number blocks	Example range
BT	39	`01242 19XXXX`
Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited	15	`01242 339XXX`
Virgin Media Limited	8	`01242 406XXX`
Colt Technology Services	7	`01242 363XXX`
Magrathea Telecommunications Limited	7	`01242 800XXX`
TalkTalk Communications Limited	7	`01242 300XXX`
Vodafone Ltd (C&W)	7	`01242 29XXXX`
GCI Network Solutions Limited	6	`01242 79XXXX`

…and 97 more providers hold smaller allocations in this range.

Ofcom’s data shows the provider each number range was originally allocated to — not who holds an individual number today. Numbers are frequently moved (ported) between providers, and no public database reveals the person or business behind a specific number, so treat any service that claims to with suspicion.

01242 number ranges

Browse the allocated 01242 ranges by their first local digit — each guide lists the providers holding that slice of Cheltenham’s numbers:

01242 1XXXXX · 1 ranges 01242 2XXXXX · 9 ranges 01242 3XXXXX · 88 ranges 01242 4XXXXX · 27 ranges 01242 5XXXXX · 17 ranges 01242 6XXXXX · 10 ranges 01242 7XXXXX · 16 ranges 01242 8XXXXX · 25 ranges 01242 9XXXXX · 16 ranges

Call charges for 01242 numbers

Calls to 01242 geographic numbers are charged at your phone provider’s standard UK landline rate and are normally included in inclusive call minutes. UK-wide 03 numbers are guaranteed by Ofcom to cost the same as 01/02 calls, while 084, 087 and 09 numbers cost considerably more — always check the prefix before you dial.

Spotting spoofed 01242 scam calls

Fraudsters frequently spoof local dialling codes, faking the caller ID so a scam call appears to come from a Cheltenham (01242) number you might trust. Remember:

A familiar 01242 area code is not proof the caller is local or genuine — caller ID can be faked.
Banks, HMRC and the police will never ask you to move money or share passwords or one-time codes over the phone.
If a call feels off, hang up, wait a moment, and call the organisation back on a number from their official website or your statement.
Report nuisance calls to the ICO and forward scam texts to 7726 (free).

Other dialling codes in this range

Numerically adjacent UK dialling codes:

01239 Cardigan Area code guide 01241 Arbroath Area code guide 01243 Chichester Area code guide 01244 Chester Area code guide

Browse all UK area-code guides ›

Run mobiles for a business? See our business mobile network comparison or get a quote.

01242 area code – Cheltenham