Finding data

National Statistics Postcode Directory (Formerly the All Fields Postcode Directory) provides a look up table of postcodes in the United Kingdom. The directory links them to a wide range of geographical units and other indicators. Fields cover administrative, electoral and census units. Postzon information, including a full UK National Grid reference is provided.

The dataset is made up of a file of all the postcodes in the UK, along with the corresponding geographical unit fields and a National Grid Reference. Each entry also contains the date when the postcode was introduced or terminated.

Spatial Coverage:

United Kingdom

Data Creator:

Office for National Statistics.

Time Period:

Annual dataset from 1980 to current year. Quarterly from 2005.

Data Publisher:

Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Note:

Obtained from the Office for National Statistics by the ESRC Census Programme and disseminated via UKBORDERS via Postcode Directory Download.

National Statistics Postcode Directory should be used for comparisons of geographic areas within the United Kingdom.

Data Access:

Zipped files available for download from the UKBORDERS service. Individual EASE registration required for all Census Programme datasets. UKBORDERS also provide access to the Postcode data Selector which enables users to subset the NSPD for chosen geographies and corresponding indicators.

In contrast to Postcode Directory Download, this allows you to select only the postcodes and fields that you require. You have the option of obtaining the output data in csv, dbf or Shapefile format.

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