London postcodes: How to understand them
📍 Explore the intricacies of London postcodes to help understand how they are structured and what they signify in terms of geographical location.
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London is a sprawling urban jungle divided into hundreds of neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character. One of the key components in navigating this mammoth city is understanding the London postcode system. These combinations of letters and numbers hold crucial information about specific areas and locations. Here's a guide to help you decipher and make sense of London postcodes.
The basics of London postcodes
Letters and numbers
London postcodes consist of a combination of letters and numbers, usually in the format "A1 1AA". The first part, known as the outward code, identifies the postal district. It usually contains one or two letters. The second part, known as the inward code, refines the location to a specific delivery point within that district and is composed of one number followed by two letters.
Directional significance
The letters in the postcode can provide hints about the location's general direction from the city centre. For example, postcodes that start with "E" are generally found in the east of London, while those starting with "SW" are in the southwest.
Numeric nuances
The numerical portion of the postcode can offer insights into the relative location of one area in relation to others. For instance, in the W1 postcode area, W1A is at the northern end, while W1T is towards the west.
Street signs
Even street signs in London will show the area breakdown of a postcode with red writing at the bottom right corner of the sign. Although most people use their phones and Google maps to navigate the city today, these codes used to play a vital role in helping Londoners know where they are going.
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Postcodes for areas of the city
Central London: EC and WC
Central London is divided into two main postcode areas: EC (East Central) and WC (West Central). EC postcodes are to the northeast of Charing Cross, while WC postcodes are to the northwest. These areas are home to some of London's most iconic landmarks and bustling business districts.
Neighbourhoods and surrounding areas
As you move further away from the city centre, the postcodes change accordingly. For example, the N postcodes are to the north of central London, E postcodes are to the east, S postcodes are to the south, and W postcodes are to the west.
Subdivisions within postcode areas
Less common, but some postcode areas are quite large and encompass multiple neighbourhoods. For instance, the SE postcode area covers areas as diverse as Greenwich, Dulwich, and Peckham. Each of these neighbourhoods will have a more specific inward code.
Specificity and granularity
The more specific the postcode, the smaller the area it covers. For instance, SW1A 1AA is a very specific postcode, covering a single building (Buckingham Palace), while SW1A covers a larger area that includes St. James's Park and the surrounding streets.
