Get a 01242 Area Code Local Phone Virtual Number for Cheltenham, UK

The 01242 area code is a UK phone geographic dialing code that covers the town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. As part of the United Kingdom’s national numbering plan, it connects homes and businesses across Cheltenham, a renowned spa town and cultural hub.

Unlike North American overlay systems, 01242 is not currently overlaid by another area code. Cheltenham operates within the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone and observes British Summer Time (BST) during daylight saving periods.

The 01242 area code is located in the United Kingdom and exclusively serves the town of Cheltenham and its surrounding areas in Gloucestershire, including Bishops Cleeve. As a significant cultural and tourist destination, Cheltenham is known for its Regency architecture, festivals, and proximity to the Cotswolds.

The 01242 dialing code covers the Cheltenham urban area, including suburbs and nearby villages such as Prestbury, Bishop’s Cleeve, Charlton Kings, and Andoversford. It is a geographic local area code, meaning it is specifically tied to this region and helps distinguish local landline numbers.

Unlike in North America, UK area codes are not typically overlaid, so 01242 remains the Cheltenham area code for the UK area. This makes it a familiar and trusted number for residents and businesses alike. Calls made to 01242 area code numbers from outside the UK(handling international calls) must include the country code (+44), followed by 1242 and the local six-digit number. It’s a key identifier for Gloucestershire communications, facilitating incoming calls and outgoing calls.

The 01242 area code was introduced on April 16, 1995, as part of a significant UK telecommunications update known as “PhONEday.” This nationwide renumbering initiative added a ‘1’ after the initial ‘0’ in many geographic area codes to expand number capacity and future-proof the phone system against growing demand. Prior to this change, Cheltenham used the 0242 area code. The switch to 01242 allowed for a much larger pool of numbers to support the town’s growth, increased communication needs, and the rise of digital and business phone communications.

PhONEday marked a significant step in modernizing the UK’s telephone infrastructure. The transition was carefully managed with public campaigns to ensure awareness and minimize disruption or any technical issues. Today, 01242 continues to serve as the exclusive phone code for Cheltenham, strengthening its identity as a vibrant cultural, tourist, and service centre in the South West of England.

You can purchase a 01242 local area code phone virtual phone number from a VoIP provider (internet telephony) like Dialaxy. Follow these simple steps:

A 01242 area code business phone number works by providing your local company with a dedicated line that connects you to customers in Cheltenham and the surrounding Gloucestershire region. It uses VoIP technology, allowing you to make and receive live calls over the internet.

This means you can use your business phone number from any device, smartphone, laptop, or desktop, regardless of your physical location. Whether you’re based in Cheltenham or managing operations remotely, a 01242 number gives your business a strong local presence. By choosing a 01242 code number, your company also gains access to a variety of advanced call management features.

These include call forwarding(ideal for handling busy calls), voicemail-to-email, auto-attendants, call recording, call transfer, and SMS capabilities, all designed to enhance customer service and internal efficiency.

Additionally, a 01242 helps you appear more credible to local customers, encouraging them to engage with a business they perceive as familiar and trustworthy. It’s a modern, cost-effective solution for companies looking to establish or expand their reach in the Cheltenham market. It improves both receiving and managing calls.