020 3, 020 7 or 020 8: choosing a London number
All London numbers start 020, but the next digit still carries meaning for many callers. What 020 3, 020 7 and 020 8 say about you, and how to get one.
A London number is one of the strongest signals a business can send. It suggests scale, ambition and easy access to the capital, and with a virtual number you can have one wherever you are based.
One area code, three familiar starts
London has a single area code: 020. The digit after it is part of the local number, which is why the correct way to write a London number is 020 7946 0000, not "0207 946 0000". Even so, many Londoners still read meaning into that next digit:
- 020 7: traditionally central London. Often seen as the most prestigious.
- 020 8: traditionally outer London, from Wimbledon to Enfield.
- 020 3: introduced in 2005 as London ran short of numbers, covering the whole city. The most widely available.
In practice, all three work anywhere in London and cost callers exactly the same.
Which should you choose?
If image matters most (a West End address, professional services, a brand that wants to feel central) an 020 7 number fits. If you serve a particular part of outer London, 020 8 will feel local. If you simply want a London number at the lowest cost, 020 3 is a great choice and there is a wide selection, including memorable numbers.
Pair it with a London address
A London number works best alongside a London address. Our virtual offices in Piccadilly and Kensington give you a central business address with mail handling, and a London number to match.
What it costs
London numbers are £4.99 a month with 1,000 free UK minutes. Standard numbers have no setup fee; memorable numbers have a one-off charge. Calls divert to any UK landline or mobile, or into our cloud phone system. Search London numbers.