Historic Counties Institute

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England · Geographic county

Bedfordshire county flag

Bedfordshire flag: Red and yellow quarters are crossed by a black vertical band bearing three white scallop shells.
Flag artwork supplied by the Flag Institute UK Flag Registry; reproduced as the registered public flag. Optimised to WebP without changing the design. Artwork and public-use information.

Registered county flag

CountyBedfordshire
Geographical groupingEngland
Registration recorded by British County Flags11 September 2014
Design attributionCollege of Arms
Status checked24 October 2026

Design and symbolism

Red and yellow quarters are crossed by a black vertical band bearing three white scallop shells. Blue and white waves run horizontally through the design.

History and use

The quarters recall the Beauchamp family; the shells come from the heraldry of the dukes of Bedford. The waves represent the Great Ouse. Adapted from earlier civic arms, the county flag reverses the blue and white waves to improve their definition and is available for community use.

Sources and acknowledgements

County geography follows the Historic Counties Standard, published by the Historic Counties Trust, as used by RealCounties. Read our source and status guidance.

Flag-profile text: Historic Counties Institute, CC BY-SA 3.0, drawing on the credited research. Artwork has its own credit above.