01206 at a glance
- Type
- Geographic (landline area code)
- Region
- Essex
- Country
- United Kingdom (+44)
- Number format
- 01206 XXXXXX (area code + 6-digit local number)
- From abroad
- +44 1206
- Cost to call
- Charged as a standard UK landline call; usually included in landline and mobile call bundles.
01206 is the area code for Colchester and surrounding parts of north-east Essex. Colchester, which became a city in 2022, has Roman origins, a large army garrison and the University of Essex. Calls from 01206 numbers may come from Colchester City Council, Colchester Hospital, GP practices, the university, schools, military-related services or local businesses. Like all UK geographic numbers, 01206 numbers can be ported or used through VoIP services in any location, and scammers can spoof caller ID, so a Colchester number on screen is not proof of the caller's identity.
Who called me from 01206?
The prefix tells you where the line was originally registered (Colchester), but not who is behind it. Numbers can be ported between networks and caller ID can be spoofed, so a familiar code is no guarantee. Search the full number to see its current carrier, line type and whether other people have reported it. Read our UK phone number guide for mobile prefixes, networks and the scams currently doing the rounds.