Welcome
The Association of British Counties (ABC) is a society dedicated to promoting awareness of the continuing importance of the 92 historic (or traditional) 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.
Featured Articles
Monmouthshire – geographical confusion taken to its illogical conclusion
The biggest challenge facing the identities of the historic counties is their continued confusion with local government areas. Whilst moves towards unitary local government in England provide an opportunity to clear up this longstanding confusion, a quick look at the local government map of Wales … Continue reading
Westmorland Day – 29th September
Westmorland Day is celebrated on 29th September. On this day in 1397, Ralph Neville was created the first Earl of Westmorland by Richard II. This date was chosen in a public vote at the Westmorland county show in 2013. Westmorland was one of the last … Continue reading
Monmouthshire Day – 25th September
Monmouthshire Day is celebrated on September 25th, the feast day of Saint Cadoc. We present our portrait of the county and a Map of Monmouthshire. Monmouthshire is a maritime county in south-east Wales. Monmouthshire was once the heart of the Kingdom of Gwent, then the … Continue reading