Media resources
Press / Media
Information, wording and contacts for journalists and media organisations covering the historic counties of Britain and Ireland.
The Historic Counties Institute can provide clear background, comment and source material on historic county geography, county identity, terminology, public recognition, boundary questions and the distinction between historic counties and administrative areas.
Media background
The Historic Counties Institute works to improve public understanding and practical use of the historic counties of Britain and Ireland.
This page provides concise background information, suggested wording, useful links and contact details for journalists, editors, local media, broadcasters, bloggers and researchers.
In one sentence
The Historic Counties Institute promotes clear public understanding and practical use of the historic counties of Britain and Ireland as enduring geographical and cultural areas, distinct from council areas, lieutenancies, postcodes and statistical geographies.
Short description
The Historic Counties Institute is an educational and evidence-led organisation working to improve public understanding of the historic counties.
Through RealCounties.com and the Real Counties Map, it provides information, articles, source material and practical tools to help people identify, describe and compare historic county geography accurately.
The core distinction
Use the right geography for the right story.
Most errors come from treating council areas, lieutenancies, postcodes and statistical geographies as if they define the county itself.
Official source journalists can check
ONS Index of Place Names
The Office for National Statistics includes historic counties in the Index of Place Names for Great Britain. Its user guide describes the historic counties as long-standing counties, distinct from later administrative counties and county councils, and says they are:
“recommended as a stable, unchanging geography which covers the whole of Great Britain.”
That makes the ONS Index of Place Names a useful neutral reference for journalists checking historic county terminology and place descriptions. The Index of Place Names is a Great Britain source, so it should not be presented as covering Ireland.
Key facts
For quick reference
Geography
Historic counties
Historic counties are geographic and cultural areas, not council areas.
Administration
Council areas
Council areas are administrative areas for local government services.
Ceremony
Lieutenancies
Lieutenancies are ceremonial areas. They are not historic counties – and there is no such term in law as ‘ceremonial counties’, which is the phrase often incorrectly used.
Post
Postcodes
Postcodes and post towns are postal geography and do not define counties.
Data
Statistics
Statistical geographies are used for data and analysis. They are not county definitions.
Public use
County identity
Historic counties continue to be used in identity, heritage, family history, local history, sport, flags, records, mapping and description of place.
Map
Compare geographies
The Real Counties Map allows users to compare the historic counties with council areas and lieutenancies.
Sources
Evidence hub
The Evidence & Sources page brings together official statements, legislation, standards and historical sources.
Common wording
Getting the wording right
Recommended
- the historic county of Durham
- the county of Lancaster
- historic county boundaries
- council area
- lieutenancy area
- postcode area
- statistical geography
Avoid or use carefully
- Do not describe lieutenancy areas as historic counties. They are also not “ceremonial counties”.
- Do not describe council areas as if they define the historic counties.
- Do not use postcodes as evidence of county identity.
- Avoid saying historic counties were abolished by local government reform.
- Avoid presenting the 1974, 1975 or any other local government changes as changes to the historic counties themselves.
- Avoid using the phrase “modern county” where the accurate term is council area, administrative area or lieutenancy area.
Useful links
Background and sources
About
Historic Counties Institute
Who HCI is, what RealCounties.com is and how the map is used.
Evidence
Evidence & Sources
Official statements, legislation, standards, census material and source notes.
Start
Start Here
A clear introductory route into the historic county distinction.
Map
Real Counties Map
Search places, open historic counties and compare public geographies.
Support
Support the Work
Support helps keep RealCounties.com public, practical and free to use.
Story
Where It Began
The origin story behind the work and the question that started it.
Media contact
For comment or enquiries
For media comment, background, source material or clarification, contact the Historic Counties Institute.
Please include your outlet, deadline and the subject you are covering.
Images and logos
Media assets
Approved logos, images and screenshots can be provided for media use on request. Please contact us before publishing modified versions of HCI or RealCounties.com graphics.