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Slide 1 TELEPHONES UK Compiling an illustration of UK Telephones & Telephony Equipment spanning the last Century - since 2002 Telephone type: 312L

The Telephones UK website was first published in February 2002 and is now nineteen years old. In June 2021 the website was completely redesigned on a WordPress platform offering a fresh new mobile friendly style,  higher quality images and with SSL security. The site now consists of around seventy pages and contains well in excess of 2800 pictures and information. It covers a wide range of old telephones, newer 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. The site has eleven pages containing photographs and information on telephone exchanges within the UK. There is also a section about old dialling codes, with particular emphasis on the Birmingham area, as well as a page which has around 300 old dial labels. Not to mention approximately two hundred and fifty BT user guides.

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. 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. 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.

If you are connected to this site via a slow connection then please be patient as some pages contain a lot of large images. Click on an image to view a full screen picture. 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. Note that the Telephones UK web site looks purely at historical telephones and telecoms through the last 100 years plus, we do not sell any of the items pictured.

In response to the results of our recent survey asking for more detailed information, we will be 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. N-diagrams will be added as this site is gradually updated. 

N-Diagrams

Why not call the Telephones UK Speaking Clock services on 0871 976 2819 & 0871 976 2839

Speaking Clock

Telephones UK has its own popular Speaking Clock Service which features the authentic voice of Pat Simmons.

The number to directly access the Speaking Clock is 0871 976 2819if dialling from abroad the number is +44 871 976 2819.

We also have a second Speaking Clock line on a separate number 0871 976 2839 which features a variety of speaking clock voices from the past, please see the Speaking Clock page for further details.

Calls to our Speaking Clock services remain the same, the cost is 13p per minute, plus VAT, plus your phone company’s access charge.

When dialled the clock will speak for a set period of time, typically between 40 and 60 seconds, you can hang up before this time, but the line may remain engaged until the time has elapsed.

Our Speaking Clock is radio controlled by the MSF Radio Time Signal in Anthorn, Cumbria to enable it to remain accurate at all times. We aim to provide a reliable service, 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 short while later.

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

Telecommunications Heritage Group

THG

I have been a proud member of the Telecommunications Heritage Group since 2002. The THG was formed in 1986 with the aim of bringing together all those engaged in the study, preservation, and collection of the heritage of communications. It now has over 450 members worldwide. The THG is a club or society, not a trading organisation, and they cater for researchers, collectors, historians, operators of restored apparatus and all people just interested in the subject for its own delight.

Interests covered by the Telecommunications Heritage Group (UK) include old telephones, telegraphs, phone kiosks and other hardware. Included in the very reasonable membership fee is a high quality quarterly journal. The complete heritage of telecommunications – civil, military, transport, public, private, ancient and modern, British and foreign – is studied across the membership. A number of members offer help on particular subjects such as kiosk restoration and railway telecommunications. Some enthusiasts own restored vehicles or telephone kiosks, whilst others are responsible for running complete multi-exchange telephone systems on preserved railways, using vintage telephone equipment. Quite a few museums and preservation bodies have close links with the group. For further information about the group and details on how to join please visit the official THG web site at: www.thg.org.uk.

Important note: This website is not endorsed by or associated with the Telecommunications Heritage Group in any manner.