The 92 Historic Counties of the United Kingdom

Historic County Flags and Celebrations.

The flags of 50 historic counties were raised in the heart of Parliament Square in a resplendent celebration of the nation’s heritage on Historic County Flags Day 23 July 2019. This increased to 52 in 2021.

England

Bedfordshire
28 November
Berkshire
Buckinghamshire
29 July
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Cornwall
5 March
County Durham
20 March
Cumberland
24 September
Derbyshire
22 September
Devon
4 June
Dorset
1 June
Essex
26 October
Gloucestershire
21 September
Hampshire
15 July
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Huntingdonshire
25 April
Kent
26 May
Lancashire
27 November
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
1 October
Middlesex
16 May
Norfolk
27 July
Northamptonshire
25 October
Northumberland
5 August
Nottinghamshire
25 August
Oxfordshire
19 October
Rutland
13 September
Shropshire
23 February
Somerset
11 May
Staffordshire
1 May
Suffolk
21 June
Surrey
Sussex
16 June
Warwickshire
Westmorland
29 September
Wiltshire
5 June
Worcestershire
Yorkshire
1 August

County Divisions

East Riding of Yorkshire
24 August
North Riding of Yorkshire
22 August
West Riding of Yorkshire
29 March
Rape of Arundel
Rape of Bramber
Rape of Chichester
Rape of Hastings
Rape of Lewes
Rape of Pevensey

From the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government

16 July 2019

The government attaches great importance to the history and traditions of this country. Our history helps to define who we are and where we come from, and we are stronger as a nation when we cherish and champion our local traditions.

Understanding the past and how we have developed helps us to face the future with confidence and as a shared experience.

The tapestry of England’s historic counties is one of the bonds that draws our nation together. The promotion of the historic counties can bring real benefits:

  • The historic counties are an important element of English traditions which support the identity and cultures of many of our local communities, giving people a sense of belonging, pride and community spirit. They continue to play an important part in the country’s sporting and cultural life as well as providing a reference point for local tourism and heritage. We should all seek to strengthen the role that they can play.
  • The celebration of the historic counties can equally deliver real benefits for communities in terms of economic development and tourism, providing an important opportunity to make our rich past contribute to a bright future. That is why the government has been active in promoting the historic counties of England, and we have already done a number of things to make it easier for partners to celebrate the historic counties. These are summarised and brought together in this document.

Scotland

Caithness
East Lothian
(Haddingtonshire)
Kirkcudbrightshire
Orkney
16 April
Shetland
21 June
Sutherland

Wales

Anglesey (Sir Fôn)
Caernarfonshire
(Sir Gaernarfon)
28 November
Flintshire
(Sir y Fflint)
Glamorgan
(Morgannwg)

Merionethshire
(Meirionnydd)
Monmouthshire
(Sir Fynwy)
25 September

Pembrokeshire
(Sir Benfro)
1 June

Proposed County Flags (not yet officially adopted)

Brecknockshire
(Sir Frycheiniog)
Carmarthenshire
(Sir Gaerfyddin)
Ceredigion
(Sir Aberteifi)
Denbighshire
(Sir Ddinbych)
Montgomeryshire
(Sir Faldwyn)
Radnorshire
(Sir Faesyfed)
Historic County Flags Day – 23 July

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