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Do postcodes tell you which county you are in?
Postcodes are postal geography, not county boundaries. This explainer shows why a postcode cannot tell you which geographic county a place belongs…
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Lancashire will not disappear: what local government reorganisation actually changes
The Government selected a four-unitary model for Lancashire in July 2026, but the programme was paused for review in September. Whatever the…
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What Actually Happened to the Counties in 1974?
The 1974 local government reorganisation in England and Wales replaced administrative counties with new council areas, but historic counties were not abolished…
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What did the Local Government Act 1888 actually create?
The Local Government Act 1888 established elected county councils and administrative areas, distinct from England and Wales’s historic counties, without abolishing the…
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What are “ceremonial counties”? What the term actually means
In England, “ceremonial county” is a widely used label for lieutenancy geography, but it is not the formal name of the category…
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What is a lieutenancy area – and why is it not a county?
A lieutenancy area is the territory assigned to a lord-lieutenant. It is a purpose-specific statutory area, separate from the enduring geographic county.
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Proposed Ridgeway Council is 75% Berkshire – and creates a rare opportunity to fix the lieutenancies
The proposed Ridgeway Council would be predominantly Berkshire by geographic county. The Oxfordshire and West Berkshire reorganisation decision was paused for Government…
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Local government is changing again. This time, fix the lieutenancies for good
HCI argues that England’s local-government reorganisation is an opportunity to realign lieutenancy areas with the geographic counties and separate them from changing…
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Geography
Places & Boundaries
Which county a place lies in, county boundaries, detached parts and boundary interpretation.
Foundations
Explainers & County Geography
County geography, terminology, legal distinctions and the history behind common county questions.
Public policy
Government & Policy
Local-government reform, council naming, lieutenancy reform, consultations and HCI policy interventions.
Evidence
Research, Evidence & Mapping
Census work, official sources, Ordnance Survey evidence, statistics and RealCounties mapping developments.
Identity
County Identity & Culture
County days, flags, boundary signs, heritage, celebrations, sport and cultural identity.
Institute
HCI News & Campaigns
Announcements, campaigns, corrections secured, Parliamentary engagement and organisational progress.
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