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

County Durham Day – 20th March
County Durham Day is celebrated each 20th March, the date of Saint Cuthbert’s death. In anticipation of the big day, we present our Portrait of County Durham. County Durham is a maritime county in the north-east of England. Known as “the Land of the Prince … Continue reading

A Portrait of Cornwall
For St Piran’s Day (5th March) we present our portrait of Cornwall. The Royal Duchy of Cornwall is a maritime county which forms the tip of the south-west peninsula of Great Britain. Cornwall is a county of astounding landscapes and distinct identity. Both coasts provide … Continue reading

Shropshire Day – 23rd February
The first county day of 2021 is Shropshire Day on Tuesday 23rd February, the feast day of St Milburga. Sadly, the covid restrictions will mean this is a lower key affair than usual but there are still many ways to celebrate the charms of this … Continue reading