What year were postcodes first introduced in the UK?

Answer 1

UK postal codes are known as postcodes.

UK postcodes are alphanumeric. These codes were introduced by the Royal Mail over a 15-year period from 1959 to 1974 — the full list is now available electronically from the Royal Mail as the Postcode Address File. They have been widely adopted not just for their original purpose of automating the sorting of mail but for many other purposes such as insurance premium calculations and as a way to describe United Kingdom locations to route planning software.

UK postcodes are copyrighted, there is a project to help create a free postcode system - see http://www.freethepostcode.org/

However, as the format of the codes does not achieve its objective of primarily identifying the main sorting office and sub-office they have been supplemented by a newer system of five-digit codes called Mailsort. Mail users who can deliver mail to the post office sorted by Mailsort code receive discounts, whilst delivery by postcode provides no such incentive.

Answer 2

There was a trial in Norfolk in the mid 1960s - 1966 I think. Ours was NOR 51X. Obviously things have been refined since then!
The postcodes introduced before then, for those who harp on about 1959, were for London, which was carved up into E, N, W, S and SW etc.

Answer 3

Snookler was right about Norwich being the first to trial the system but I thought it was 1958 but could have been 1959. Ours was NOR 88R and it took some getting used to the new postcodes when they were changed in the mid-60's. Hope this and other answers clarifies it for you. Have a good day

Answer 4

1966 was the year postcodes in the uk was introduced

Answer 5

1959 by Royal Mail

Answer 6

wrong........ postcododes were introduced in 1959