Our Campaign
For centuries, historic counties have defined our local identity, community, and heritage. Yet their names and boundaries are being lost because of confusion caused by modern bureaucracy. The Campaign for Historic Counties exists to restore recognition of the traditional counties of the United Kingdom – and to celebrate the local pride they represent.
Latest News
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Lancashire Day Celebrated Across Historic County
Lancashire Day on 27 November celebrates the county’s rich heritage, identity, and community spirit, emphasizing historic boundaries and uniting residents through events and the red…
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Devolution Offers Hope for Britain’s Historic Counties
The devolution agenda in the UK offers a crucial opportunity to restore genuine county identities, promoting cultural heritage and clarity by separating historic counties from…
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The Case for the Historic Counties of Great Britain
Britain’s historic counties, vital to national identity, face confusion from administrative changes, erasing cultural heritage. Restoring clarity between county names and boundaries is essential for…
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‘County of X’ or ‘X-shire’ : both are correct!
Most counties are named after towns or cities, indicating their association, such as Flintshire for Flint and Cheshire for Chester. Both naming forms are acceptable.
Our Counties
Oxfordshire
Discover
County of Oxford
County Day 19 October
✨ Ford of oxen: 1st record 912
👑 County by early 10th C
🏰 Oxford University from 12C
🖋️ Domesday: Oxenefordscire
A shire of scholars, rivers and rolling countryside. 📚🌊
Peeblesshire
Discover
Siorrachd nam Pùballan
Tweeddale
✨ Upper Tweeddale
👑 Shire from 12th century
🏰 Named from Peebles town
🖋️ ‘Tweeddale’ in charters
A Borders shire of valleys, wool and rivers. 🐑🌊
Pembrokeshire
Discover
Sir Benfro
County Day 1 June
✨ Welsh, Irish, Norse
👑 Lordship then county 13C
🏰 Haverfordwest
🖋️’Penbrokeshire’ in records
A coastal county of castles, saints and seafarers. ⚓⛪
Why Counties Still Matter
In the words of Gustav Mahler: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire”. Our counties are not relics of the past – they are part of who we are. They connect us to our landscapes, our families, and our shared story as a nation. Let’s protect and celebrate them before they fade from memory.
Get Involved
Support Our Campaign
No outside funding supports our work – only supporters like you keep our maps, research, videos, and advice to MPs alive. Every donation helps preserve the counties you love for future generations.
Campaign for Historic Counties 