How much does it cost to call a 01856 number?

Calls to 01856 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 01856 number — is it a scam?

Not necessarily, but be careful: scammers spoof local codes such as 01856 so a call looks like it’s from Orkney 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 Orkney number from abroad?

Drop the leading 0 and add +44. A number written as 01856 XXXXXX becomes +44 1856 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.

01856 Area Code – Orkney | Dialling Code, Format & Call Charges

Q: Where is the 01856 area code?

01856 is the UK geographic dialling code for Orkney. Any number written as 01856 XXXXXX is tied to the Orkney dialling-code area, though with modern VoIP a business can keep its 01856 number after moving away.

Dialling code: 01856
Area: Orkney
Number type: Geographic landline (01/02)
Local format: 01856 XXXXXX
From abroad: +44 1856 XXXXXX
Ofcom number blocks: 388
Blocks in service: 133
Range holders: 85

Where is the 01856 area code?

The 01856 dialling code is the UK geographic area code for Orkney. Because 01856 is a geographic (01/02) code, a number using it is tied to the Orkney dialling-code area — though with modern hosted telephony (VoIP) a business can keep a 01856 number after moving premises, so the code reflects the number’s designated area rather than a guaranteed physical location today.

Ofcom currently lists 388 number blocks under 01856, of which 133 are allocated to 85 communications providers.

Orkney phone number format

A Orkney 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 01856 XXXXXX (the Xs stand for the local digits). Ofcom has not reserved a fictitious drama range for 01856; for on-screen examples it recommends the unused 01632 960000–01632 960999 range.

Who holds 01856 number ranges?

Ofcom allocates 01856 numbers to providers in blocks. These providers hold the largest allocations under 01856:

Range holder (allocated by Ofcom)	Number blocks	Example range
BT	22	`01856 68XXXX`
Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited	10	`01856 300XXX`
Magrathea Telecommunications Limited	6	`01856 890XXX`
Vodafone Ltd (C&W)	6	`01856 560XXX`
Barritel Limited	3	`01856 900XXX`
Resilient Limited	3	`01856 270XXX`
Digital Space Group Limited	2	`01856 247XXX`
Fuse 2 Communications Ltd	2	`01856 497XXX`

…and 77 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.

01856 number ranges

Browse the allocated 01856 ranges by their first local digit — each guide lists the providers holding that slice of Orkney’s numbers:

01856 2XXXXX · 10 ranges 01856 3XXXXX · 13 ranges 01856 4XXXXX · 35 ranges 01856 5XXXXX · 26 ranges 01856 6XXXXX · 10 ranges 01856 7XXXXX · 13 ranges 01856 8XXXXX · 15 ranges 01856 9XXXXX · 11 ranges

Call charges for 01856 numbers

Calls to 01856 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 01856 scam calls

Fraudsters frequently spoof local dialling codes, faking the caller ID so a scam call appears to come from a Orkney (01856) number you might trust. Remember:

A familiar 01856 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:

01854 Ullapool Area code guide 01855 Ballachulish Area code guide 01857 Sanday Area code guide 01858 Market Area code guide

Browse all UK area-code guides ›

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

01856 area code – Orkney