Welcome
The Association of British Counties (ABC) is a society dedicated to promoting awareness of the continuing importance of the 92 historic counties of the United Kingdom.
The ABC believes that the historic counties are an important part of the culture, geography and heritage of The United Kingdom. The ABC contends that Britain needs a fixed popular geography, one divorced from the ever-changing names and areas of local government but, instead, one rooted in history, public understanding and commonly held notions of community and identity. The ABC, therefore, seeks to fully re-establish the use of the historic counties as the standard popular geographical reference frame of Britain and to further encourage their use as a basis for social, sporting and cultural activities.
More information about what the historic counties are and why they matter can be found in our An introduction to the historic counties factsheet.
Featured Articles
Reclaiming our counties: the end of “county councils”
On 16th July 2026, the Rt Hon Steve Reed (Secretary of State of Housing, Communities and Local Government) confirmed that all the remaining 1974 local government “counties” in England will be abolished on 1st April 2028. This final end of the 1974 fake “counties” will … Continue reading
County Days of Summer
County Days come thick and fast at this time of the year. We present some highlights from the most recent. Sussex Day – Tuesday 16th June 2026 Sussex Day is celebrated on 16th June, the feast day of St Richard of Chichester, the county’s patron … Continue reading
Yorkshire – County Durham border in Teesdale marked by new road signs
Six crossing of the River Tees have been marked by new road signs showing the border between County Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire. Two further signs mark the Yorkshire – Westmorland border at Ley Seat Edge. This project was instigated by the Yorkshire … Continue reading