Postcode map or database

Robboseven

I need to get hold of a postcode map or database or spreadsheet (preferably free or cheap) which will show more detail than the one I currently use. At the moment the one I use just shows the code eg. AB and lists the main town or city for that code, in this case Aberdeen. I also have a map which shows the boundaries of that code.

Does anybody know where I can get one which will show just the next part of the code eg. LE13 is Melton Mowbray? I don't need any more detail than that. I know I can get individual details from royalmail.com but I really need it in list or map form.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Deleted User]

I did a little project on this a while ago.. the only online link I can find to the datafile is here now:

http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/W.Langdon/fandf/p/ukpostcodes.txt (1.8mb)

There is not always a 1 to 1 relationship between postcode and area name

Tallymanjohn

I've got an Excel spreadsheet (cannot remember where I got it from) which shows codes to the detail you want (ie LE13 is Melton, LE18 is Wigston etc.). It's about 2Mb so if you want it please send me a PM. As it's a spreadsheet you can sort it by location or code.

Robboseven

Many thanks to both of you for the info. Saved me hours and hours

[Deleted User]

I've actually got that databased and linked to map coordinates... it's such a shame this information isn't freely available.

Astaroth

Its not freely available as Royal Mail makes a hell of a lot of money selling the information and software companies make a lot of money making software/ webservices which takes the RM data and makes it into a more business friendly service.... given how much the updates cost too I have to say that I am surprised that they dont change post codes more frequently.

Tallymanjohn

I think they'd have too many complaints, especially from businesses, if they changed postcodes too frequently - re-doing stationery, updating their own records etc.

Astaroth

But it hasnt "stopped" the likes of BT chaing area codes/ introducing new ones etc... obviously not an every year occurance but then I guess the natural need for new postcodes for new residential estates etc gives sufficient demand from businesses to buy the quarterly updates without artificially increasing this through changing existing codes

[Deleted User]

I don't have 'the' official list, just high-level info that i've gleened from various files found on the net.

This sort of info is pretty important to use for geocoding - translating post-codes into map locations. It's all free in the USA.. i still think it should be open information in the UK also

BaritoneUK

ringo_24601 wrote:

It's all free in the USA.. i still think it should be open information in the UK also

http://www.freethepostcode.org/

Astaroth

Nice idea but dont think it would work.... have to agree that free would be nice... have had a few website ideas that could have been great ideas but I wasnt anywhere near confident it would work to invest the thousands needed for access to the database