I ended up writing a perl script, using the LWP module, to query Streetmap with every possible postcode sector (eg BD4 6), and parsed the results to get the lattitude and longitude.
This took about 12 hours, so I didn't bother trying to get the full postcode.
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Reply to: Postcodes
Collapse
You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
- You are not logged in. If you are already registered, fill in the form below to log in, or follow the "Sign Up" link to register a new account.
- You may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
- If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
Logging in...
Previously on "Postcodes"
Collapse
-
Guest replied
-
Guest repliedThe db that comes from royal mail is about 5gb and cost me 7k when i got it from royal mail 18mo ago !
-i-
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedTry Streetmap. It won't give you the full address - house number, etc., but it will pinpoint the place on a map.
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedThanks for all the replies.
I was hoping that someone could point me to a list on the Internet. I've priced up the PAF and for Internet use they want something like 4 grand per year. An internet based unlimited search costs £0.05 per postcode lookup. I can't find a public lookup for postcodes which allows unlimited use - they're all limited to about 20 searches.
I would settle for a postcode zone file - eg "B14 6**" which shows grid references and district.
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedWhy not try MapQuest on the web to find the address from a postcode?
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedPostcodes
If all you need is to "resolve" a postcode to get a corresponding address, then you can just quickly bang a script together to query one of the many public websites that do just that.
you can also try commercial product called quickaddress (used it for cc checks).
alex
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedRe: postcodes
I use AFD and whilst not cheap they do give a good service.
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedpostcodes
You can get a list of all postcodes from the royal mail (or whatever they are called this week).
If you want addresses as well you need PAF which is the Postoffice Address File(?) - you buy the license from the post office and get cd's at regular intervals. PAF is resold by various companies with various software. some just repackage the basic info some adds useful demographic info.
gb mailing (?) used to do it, there are a couple of players who have the market pretty much sewn up
do a google on PAF postcodes and see all the entries
Leave a comment:
-
Guest repliedPostcodes
I used a commercial product some years back, I think it was called "AFD Postcode..".
Only cost a couple of hundred quid, covered all UK and was easily used from MS-Office, VB, C++ etc.
Leave a comment:
-
Postcodes
Does anyone know where I can get a list of postcodes and their corresponding addresses? Preferably free.Tags: None
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- Umbrella, PEO/GPP, or salaried EOR. Which is up 153% in 2026? Aug 6 08:43
- Outside IR35 isn’t making a comeback in 2026/27 — it’s something more complex Aug 5 04:55
- Why contractors keep putting off their pension (and why I'm one of them) Aug 4 02:43
- HMRC loan charge settlement offer: 3 things to check before you sign Aug 3 07:41
- HMRC standstill agreements extended to 72 months: why the term's doubled, and what to check before signing Jul 31 05:53
- Who owns the loans? Inside the mystery of the loan charge recall scandal Jul 30 06:20
- Umbrella company winding-up petitions in 2026: the practical guide for contractors Jul 29 05:29
- Payments on Account deadline: what contractors must do before July 31st — maybe for the final few times Jul 28 08:01
- Andy Burnham's first 100 days: five things contractors need from the new PM Jul 27 00:53
- Starmer vs Burnham on housing: What their rival plans mean for your contractor mortgage Jul 22 00:59

Leave a comment: