01538 Area Code — Ipstones, Leek & Cheadle
01538 is the UK dialling code for Ipstones in Staffordshire, also serving Leek, Cheadle and Cheddleton, allocated by Ofcom under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. Our database has tracked 97 distinct 01538 numbers across 119 public lookups.
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Quick facts
Area code
01538
Location
Ipstones
County
Staffordshire
Region
West Midlands
Number type
Geographic landline
Number format
01538 XXX XXX
Operators serving
8+
Call cost
Standard rate
About the 01538 dialling code
01538 is the UK geographic dialling code for Ipstones, allocated by Ofcom under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. It is used by landlines — and increasingly VoIP lines — registered to the Ipstones area.
A full Ipstones number is normally written as 01538 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 01538 number no longer guarantees the caller is physically in Ipstones. Fraudsters also "spoof" local codes like 01538 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.
Map of the 01538 dialling area
The marker shows Ipstones; the shaded circle is an approximate indication of the area the 01538 code serves — exact Ofcom charging-area boundaries are irregular and don't follow a neat radius.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. View larger map
Areas typically served by 01538
Settlements in and around the Ipstones dialling area that typically use 01538 numbers. Approximate — Ofcom charging-area boundaries don't follow town or county lines exactly, and properties near a boundary may take a neighbouring code.
Calling 01538 from abroad
From outside the UK, dial your international access prefix, then the UK country code 44, then 1538 (the area code without its leading zero) and the local number.
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| United States & Canada | 011 44 1538 … |
| Europe / most of the world | 00 44 1538 … |
| Australia | 0011 44 1538 … |
| Any mobile phone | +44 1538 … |
History of the 01538 code
The code was 0538 until PhONEday, 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted after the leading zero to create 01538.
Top searched 01538 numbers
These are the 01538 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.
| Number | Searches | Last looked up |
|---|---|---|
| 01538 262055 | 8 | 23 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 755078 | 3 | 5 Jul 2026 |
| 01538 722864 | 3 | 27 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 712311 | 2 | 9 Jul 2026 |
| 01538 704246 | 2 | 6 Jul 2026 |
| 01538 380602 | 2 | 3 Jul 2026 |
| 01538 722858 | 2 | 28 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 722831 | 2 | 28 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 752136 | 2 | 28 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 752142 | 2 | 27 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 722859 | 2 | 27 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 384129 | 2 | 26 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 722865 | 2 | 26 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 752117 | 2 | 26 May 2026 |
| 01538 388129 | 1 | 8 Jul 2026 |
| 01538 384133 | 1 | 29 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 752141 | 1 | 29 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 384167 | 1 | 29 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 722866 | 1 | 28 Jun 2026 |
| 01538 384127 | 1 | 28 Jun 2026 |
Is a call from 01538 safe?
Most 01538 calls are ordinary local calls from Ipstones homes and businesses. The main risk to be aware of is "neighbour spoofing", where a scammer fakes a local 01538 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 01538 (Ipstones) number from outside the UK, drop the leading zero and dial +44 1538 followed by the local number.
Operators serving Ipstones
These UK communications providers have been allocated 01538 number blocks by Ofcom. The number of blocks per operator gives a rough sense of how widely each provider serves this area.
| Provider (Ofcom-allocated) | Allocated blocks |
|---|---|
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 11 |
| BT | 11 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 3 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 3 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 2 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 2 |
Ofcom number ranges on 01538
Ofcom's National Numbering Plan lists 397 number blocks under 01538, of which 117 are allocated to 89 communications providers. The first allocated blocks are shown below — look up any full number with the number checker to see its exact range holder.
| Number block | Status | Range holder (Ofcom-allocated) |
|---|---|---|
0153820… | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
0153821… | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
01538220… | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
01538221… | Allocated | API Telecom Limited |
01538223… | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
01538224… | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
01538225… | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
01538226… | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
01538227… | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
01538228… | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
01538229… | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
01538240… | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
Showing 12 of 117 allocated blocks. Source: Ofcom telephone numbering data, updated weekly.
How to block and report 01538 spam calls
Block or report 01538
- You can block 01538 directly from your recent-calls list on iPhone or Android, and forward scam texts free to 7726.
- Scam or fraud calls should be reported to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or Police Scotland (101); persistent marketing calls to the ICO / TPS.
Full step-by-step instructions for every phone, network-level blocking and all UK reporting routes are in our guide: How to block and report unwanted calls in the UK.
How to stop unwanted calls for good
Blocking 01538 numbers stops that one number, but determined nuisance callers simply switch numbers. Silencing unknown callers, enabling your network's free spam shield and registering with the TPS cut the volume across the board — our canonical guide walks through each step: How to block and report unwanted calls in the UK.
Frequently asked questions about the 01538 code
Where is the 01538 area code?
The 01538 area code is allocated by Ofcom to Ipstones in Staffordshire, United Kingdom. It is a geographic UK landline dialling code under the National Telephone Numbering Plan. The surrounding dialling area also takes in Leek, Cheadle, Cheddleton and nearby villages.
Is 01538 always a Ipstones number?
Numbers with the 01538 prefix were originally allocated by Ofcom to Ipstones. With UK number portability and VoIP allowing geographic relocation while keeping the same number, the call origin can differ from the original area, but the prefix's official assigned location remains Ipstones.
How do I block 01538 spam calls?
On iPhone, tap the (i) next to the number in Recents and choose Block this Caller. On Android, long-press the number in Recents and choose Block. To prevent unknown 01538 numbers ringing, enable Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone) or your dialler's spam filter (Android). Forward spam texts to 7726 free of charge.
How much does a 01538 call cost?
Calls to UK 01538 geographic numbers are charged at your provider's standard rate and are usually included in inclusive minutes on any modern landline or mobile plan.
Neighbouring dialling codes
Codes covering areas around Ipstones — useful when a caller is nearby but outside the 01538 boundary.
Living in or moving to Ipstones?
Our free postcode reports cover house prices, crime, broadband and schools for the districts around Ipstones.
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.