01242 Area Code — Cheltenham, UK

01242 is the UK dialling code for Cheltenham, allocated by Ofcom under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. Our database has tracked 100 distinct 01242 numbers across 153 public lookups.

Quick facts

About the 01242 dialling code

01242 is the UK geographic dialling code for Cheltenham, allocated by Ofcom under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. It is used by landlines — and increasingly VoIP lines — registered to the Cheltenham area.

A full Cheltenham number is normally written as 01242 XXXXXX. You can dial the local part on its own from within the same area, or the full number from anywhere in the UK.

Because of UK number portability and internet calling, a 01242 number no longer guarantees the caller is physically in Cheltenham. Fraudsters also "spoof" local codes like 01242 so an unknown call looks like a nearby business or neighbour — so treat an unexpected call on what is actually said, not on the area code alone.

Top searched 01242 numbers

These are the 01242 numbers most-looked-up by visitors to our number checker. Click any number to see its full lookup page with risk-level, range holder, and community reports.

Is a call from 01242 safe?

Most 01242 calls are ordinary local calls from Cheltenham homes and businesses. The main risk to be aware of is "neighbour spoofing", where a scammer fakes a local 01242 prefix so you are more likely to answer. Never share bank details, passwords or one-time security codes with an unexpected caller, even when the number looks local — hang up and call the organisation back on a number you have verified yourself.

To call a 01242 (Cheltenham) number from outside the UK, drop the leading zero and dial +44 1242 followed by the local number.

Operators serving Cheltenham

These UK communications providers have been allocated 01242 number blocks by Ofcom. The number of blocks per operator gives a rough sense of how widely each provider serves this area.

How to block and report 01242 spam calls

Block 01242 on your phone

• iPhone: open Phone → Recents, tap the (i) next to 01242, scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
• Android: open the Phone app, press and hold 01242 in your recent calls, then tap Block / Report spam.
• Network level: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three all offer free spam-call blocking in their app or online account settings.

Report 01242

• Scam texts: forward the message to 7726 (free) — it spells "SPAM" on the keypad — to report it to your mobile network.
• Scam or fraud calls: report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales & NI) or Police Scotland on 101.
• Nuisance / marketing calls: report to the ICO and register with the free Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to reduce unsolicited sales calls.

Frequently asked questions about the 01242 code

Check another UK number

Have the full 10- or 11-digit number? The UK Phone Number Checker shows the Ofcom range holder, risk level, and any community reports for that specific number.