Norwich: the birthplace of the modern postcode Norwich: the birthplace of the modern postcode Royal Mail's postcode system was trialled in Norwich in 1959. It was then rolled out across Britain, completing with the recoding of Norwich in 1974. This plaque was installed in 2014 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the completion. Next to this site stood the Kings Head Inn from which the first Norwich Post Master, John Sotherton, ran the first General Post Office in the City from 1649 to 1666.