Telephones UK

Having opened in January 2002 this site is now celebrating its sixth anniversary. It contains over 900 pictures and information on a wide range of old telephones, new telephones, cordless telephones, telephone kiosks, telephone systems, answering machines, sockets and other miscellaneous pieces of equipment that have been supplied by the General Post Office, Post Office Telephones or by British Telecom. There is also a section about old dialling codes, with particular emphasis on the Birmingham area as well as three pages which contain around 300 old dial labels.

Many of the photographs shown are taken from my own collection of old telephones, others belong to friends who kindly let me take photos. Many other people have kindly contributed pictures for the site. My thanks and appreciation go to all the folk that have kindly contributed to the site. All contributors are now listed on the Acknowledgements page. A brief description is given with the year (or approximate year) of manufacture of the telephone illustrated, not its first release date. I am also adding further details about each phone when I have the opportunity.

If you are connected to this site using a 56k dial-up narrowband connection then please be patient as some pages contain a lot of large images. Click on an image to view a full screen picture. To tour the entire site just keep pressing the 'Topic' button at the bottom of each page.

The site is still being added to, as I have the time. If anyone has any pictures or information on old telephones, old dial labels or has any GPO literature that I can use or if you notice any errors please let us know.

In response to the results of our recent survey asking for more detailed information, we have now began adding links to the relevant N-diagram. These diagrams were used by Post Office technicians when installing or servicing instruments and small systems. The full range of subscriber's apparatus was covered. This is invaluable information for collectors wishing to restore items to working order. This information is kindly supplied by Sam Hallas, who together with various contributors, has scanned many of the N-diagrams in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. A full index is available, to view the relevant N-diagram click on

The Telephones UK site has been designed and constructed by Mike Fletcher

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This site was last updated on 06 April 2008

CALL THE TELEPHONES UK SPEAKING CLOCK SERVICE ON 0871 789 3642

Telephones UK has its own popular Speaking Clock Service which features the authentic voice of Pat Simmons. Being radio controlled (synchronised with the main MSF atomic clock which broadcasts from Anthorn in Cumbria, UK) it is normally very accurate. It is a TIM2000 Speaking Clock project designed by Andy Emmerson.

The number to directly access the Speaking Clock is 0871 789 3642, if dialling from abroad the number is +44 871 789 3642. The cost of calling this number from a BT line is 10p per minute, maximum cost 15p.

When dialled the clock will speak for 90 seconds, you can hang up before this time, but the line will be engaged until the 90 seconds has elapsed.

We do aim to provide a reliable service, however we cannot guarantee that it will be 100% accurate, due to circumstances beyond our control. Should you experience persistent problems, please contact us via our feedback page. Our clock has no connection with the genuine BT Speaking Clock service nor with the THG.

During periods of high demand callers may receive either engaged tone or ringing tone when the speaking clock equipment is in use. If this occurs then please redial again, a little later.

Information on the history of the BT Speaking Clock is now available on this page.

I have my original BT TSX50 (Mitel SX50) telephone system installed in my Television shop to which I have recently added a second one. The two systems are connected together by a SSDC5 private circuit. The upgraded set-up now has a capacity of 96 extensions, which are used to operate and demonstrate my ever growing telephone collection.