A county town is the 'capital' of a county in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its original meaning of where the county administration is based. Many county towns are in fact cities, but all are referred to as county towns irrespective of whether city status is held or not.

Note that in Eastern Canada and the United States of America, the term county seat is usually used for the same purpose. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States. However, in the state of Louisiana the term parish seat is used instead. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States.

Contents 1 List of county towns 1.1 Historic counties of England 1.2 Counties of Scotland 1.3 Historic counties of Wales 1.4 Historic counties of Northern Ireland 1.5 Traditional counties of the Republic of Ireland 1.6 Other counties of the Republic of Ireland 2 County Halls 2.1 England 2.2 Wales 3 References

List of county towns

Historic counties of England

County	County town
Bedfordshire	Bedford
Berkshire	Abingdon 1
Buckinghamshire	Buckingham 2
Cambridgeshire	Cambridge
Cheshire	Chester
Cornwall	Truro 3
Cumberland	Carlisle 4
Derbyshire	Derby
Devon	Exeter
Dorset	Dorchester
County Durham	Durham
Essex	Chelmsford
Gloucestershire	Gloucester
Hampshire	Winchester although the county is named after Southampton
Herefordshire	Hereford
Hertfordshire	Hertford
Huntingdonshire	Huntingdon
Kent	Maidstone 5
Lancashire	Lancaster
Leicestershire	Leicester
Lincolnshire	Lincoln
Middlesex	Brentford, Clerkenwell, the City of London or Westminster for different functions 6
Norfolk	Norwich
Northamptonshire	Northampton
Northumberland	Alnwick 7
Nottinghamshire	Nottingham
Oxfordshire	Oxford
Rutland	Oakham
Shropshire	Shrewsbury
Somerset	Taunton 8
Staffordshire	Stafford
Suffolk	Ipswich
Surrey	Guildford 9
Sussex	Chichester or Lewes 10
Warwickshire	Warwick
Westmorland	Appleby
Wiltshire	Wilton 11
Worcestershire	Worcester
Yorkshire	York

1. Lent assizes were held at Reading, where the county gaol and house of correction were situated; summer assizes were held at Abingdon, which was the site of the county bridewell. Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Bedford is the County town of Bedfordshire, England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the Bedford borough Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. Buckingham is a Town situated in north Buckinghamshire, England, approximately from the border with Northamptonshire. History Cambridgeshire is noted as the site of some of the earliest known Neolithic permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, along with sites at Fengate The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. Chester is the County town of Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77040 Cornwall ( Kernow ˈkɛɹnɔʊ is the most southwesterly county of England, on the Peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar Truro (ˈtruːrəʊ Truru is a city in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, and is the centre for administration leisure Cumberland is one of the 39 Historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1915 and now forms part of Carlisle (pronounced CARLYLE(emphasis on the first syllable is a City in northern England the largest settlement in Cumbria. History The area that is now Derbyshire was first visited probably briefly by humans 200000 years ago during the Aveley Interglacial as evidenced by a Middle Derby (pronounced "dar-bee" /dˈɑːbɪ/ is a city in the East Midlands of England. Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Exeter ( (IPA ˈeksɪtər is a city, district and County town of Devon, England. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast Dorchester is a Market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 Durham (ˈdʌrəm in RP, locally ˈdʏrəm is a small city and main settlement of the City of Durham district of County Durham, England Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. History See also History of Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a historic county mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 10th century Gloucester (ˈɡlɒstɚ) is a city, district and County town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Wildlife Hampshire has wildlife typical of the island of Great Britain Winchester or Winton ( archaic) is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40000 within a radius of its centre Southampton ( IPA /ˌsaʊθˈhæmptən/ is the largest city in the county of Hampshire, on the south coast of England Constitution Herefordshire was reconstituted both as a new Non-metropolitan district (effective 19th July 1996 and as a new County comprising the area of the Hereford ( ˈhɛrɨfəd is a city, Civil parish and County town of Herefordshire, England. Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Hertford (standard pronunciations /'hɑːtֽfəd/ and /'hɑːֽfəd/ local pronunciation /'ɑːʔֽfəd/ is the affluent County town of Hertfordshire, History The earliest English settlers in the district were the Gyrwas, an East Anglian tribe who early in the 6th century worked their way up the Ouse and the Cam Huntingdon is a town in the county of Cambridgeshire in East Anglia, England. KENT (1400 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format Maidstone is the County town of Kent, England, south-east of London. Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Lancaster (pronounced ˈlæŋˌkæstə or ˈlænˌkæstə is a City in Lancashire, England. Leicestershire (ˈlɛstəʃə(r or ˈlɛstəʃɪə(r abbreviation Leics Leicester (ˈlɛstə is the largest city and Unitary authority area in the East Midlands of England, and is the traditional Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. Brentford is a suburb in the London Borough of Hounslow at the Confluence of the River Thames and the River Brent in West London Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. For London as a whole see the main article London. The City of London is a geographically The City of Westminster ( is a borough of London with city status. Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. History Roman The Romans had their regional capital at Venta Icenorum on the river to the south which is near modern-day Caistor St Edmund Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants This article is about Northampton in England for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation Northampton ( is a large Market Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west Alnwick ( IPA /ˈænɪk/ is a small Market town in north Northumberland, England. Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, Rutland is a county of mainland England, bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire, and southeast by Oakham is the County town of Rutland, England. It lies east from Leicester, and has a Shropshire (ˈʃrɒpʃɪə/ /-ʃə alternatively known as Salop or abbreviated in print only Shrops, is a county in the Shrewsbury ( /ˈʃruːzbri/ or /ˈʃroʊzbri/ is the County town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county Taunton is the County town of Somerset, England. The Unparished area (or former Municipal borough) of Taunton has a Population Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. This article is about the town of Stafford England For the larger local government district see Borough of Stafford. Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. Ipswich ( ˈɪpswɪtʃ is a Non-metropolitan district and the County town of Suffolk, England on the Estuary of the River Orwell Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. Guildford ( IPA /ˈgɪlfəd/ is the County town of Surrey, England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England. It has a long history as a settlement its Roman past and its subsequent importance Lewes (ˈluːɨs Lewis) is the County town of East Sussex, England and gives its name to the Local government district in which it Geography Warwickshire is bounded to the northwest by the West Midlands Metropolitan county and Staffordshire, by Leicestershire to Warwick (ˈwɒrɪk worrick (silent w in middle is the County town of Warwickshire, England. Westmorland (formerly also spelt Westmoreland, an even older spelling is Westmerland) is an area of north-west England and one of the 39 Historic counties Appleby-in-Westmorland is a town in Cumbria in North West England. Etymology The county formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the River Wylye Wilton is a town in Wiltshire, (of which it was once the County town) England, with a rich heritage dating back to the Anglo-Saxons. Worcestershire (ˈwʊstəʃə abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. Yorkshire is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in Great Britain. York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. Knights for the shire were nominated at Reading and elected at Abingdon. ^[1]
2. Sir John Baldwin, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, caused the county assizes to be moved to Aylesbury. Knights for the shire continued to be elected at Buckingham. The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica considered Buckingham to be the county town. ^[1]
3. The County Assize Court sat at Bodmin, and the 1911 Britannica considered Bodmin to be the county town. The Court of Assize, or Assizes, is a medieval term for Legal codes (such as Assizes of Jerusalem) that continues to be used in modern times Bodmin (Bosvenegh is a Town in Cornwall, United Kingdom, with a population of 12778 (2001 census Launceston was also historically considered the county town. Launceston (Lannstefan the English name is ˈlɔːns(tən /ˈlɑːns(tən/ or /ˈlæns(tən/ usually without the 't' by the Cornish but with by everyone else is ^[2]
4. Knights of the Shire were elected at Cockermouth
5. East Kent and West Kent had separate administrations until 1814, with East Kent sessions meeting at Canterbury, and West Kent at Maidstone, the over-all county town. In English and Welsh politics from Mediaeval times until the Representation of the People Act 1884, Knights of the Shire were representatives of counties Cockermouth is a town within the Allerdale borough of Cumbria, England, and is so named because it is at the confluence of the River Cocker East Kent and West Kent are one-time traditional subdivisions of the English county of Kent, kept alive by the Association of the Men of Kent and Kentish West Kent and East Kent are one-time traditional subdivisions of the English county of Kent, kept alive by the Association of the Men of Kent and Kentish
6. Knights of the Shire were elected at Brentford; sessions presided over by Middlesex Justices of the Peace were held at Clerkenwell; trials for persons accused of the most serious crimes took place in the Old Bailey before the Aldermen of the City prior to the committing of the accused to Newgate Prison (which functioned as the county gaol for Middlesex) if found guilty; while the county council had its headquarters at the Middlesex Guildhall in Westminster from its establishment in 1889 until its abolition in 1965. For the prison in East Granby, Connecticut, see Old Newgate Prison. The Middlesex Guildhall is a building on the south-west corner of Parliament Square in London. ^[3]
7. Alnwick's position as the county town seems to have been based largely on its castle being the seat of the Duke of Northumberland, although Knights of the Shire were elected at the town too. ^[4] Assizes for the county however were held mainly or exclusively in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Morpeth Castle was used as the prison for Northumberland, and the county gaol was built there in 1824. ^[5][6]
8. Knights of the Shire were elected at Ilchester. Ilchester is a Village and Civil parish, situated on the River Yeo five Miles north of Yeovil, in the English county of Somerton temporarily became the county town in the late thirteenth century, when the shire courts and county gaol were moved from Ilchester. Somerton is a town in the English County of Somerset, on the River Cary, near Yeovil and Street, northeast of ^[7]
9. Southwark is listed as the county town by Stewart (1828). Southwark or The Borough is an area of south-east London in the London Borough of Southwark, situated 1 ^[2] Quarter Sessions were held at Newington by Southwark. Newington is an area within the London Borough of Southwark in London, England. Southwark or The Borough is an area of south-east London in the London Borough of Southwark, situated 1
10. Horsham was occasionally described as the county town of Sussex due to the presence of the county gaol and the periodic holding of the county assizes and quarter sessions in the town. Horsham is a Market town situated on the River Arun in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England with a population of roughly 50000 The last assizes were held there in 1830, while the gaol was closed in 1845. ^[8]
11. Wiltshire County Council note that Wiltshire "never had a well recognised county town". Wilton had served as the seat of Quarter Sessions and for election of Knights of the Shire until 1832. Knights had been nominated at Devizes. ^[9]A 1870s gazetteer describes "Salisbury and Devizes" as the "county towns". Salisbury (ˈsɒlzbri ˈsɔːlzbri ('Solzbry' or ˈzɔːwzbri ('Zawzbry' — moving from RP to local dialect) is a cathedral city in the Devizes is a small Market town and Civil parish in the heart of the English county of Wiltshire, in the southern United Kingdom ^[10] The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica names only Salisbury. The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc

Counties of Scotland

County	County town
Aberdeenshire	Aberdeen1
Angus	Forfar
Argyll	Lochgilphead (formerly Inveraray)²
Ayrshire	Ayr
Banffshire	Banff
Berwickshire	Duns (formerly Berwick-upon-Tweed, formerly Greenlaw)
Bute	Rothesay
Caithness	Wick
Clackmannanshire	Alloa (formerly Clackmannan)
Cromartyshire	Cromarty
Dumfriesshire	Dumfries
Dunbartonshire	Dumbarton
East Lothian	Haddington
Fife	Cupar
Inverness-shire	Inverness
Kincardineshire	Stonehaven (formerly Kincardine)
Kinross-shire	Kinross
Kirkcudbrightshire	Kirkcudbright
Lanarkshire	Lanark³
Midlothian	Edinburgh4
Morayshire	Elgin
Nairnshire	Nairn
Orkney	Kirkwall
Peeblesshire	Peebles
Perthshire	Perth
Renfrewshire	Renfrew5
Ross-shire	Dingwall (also the county town of Ross and Cromarty)
Roxburghshire	Jedburgh (formerly Roxburgh)6
Selkirkshire	Selkirk
Shetland	Lerwick
Stirlingshire	Stirling
Sutherland	Dornoch7
West Lothian	Linlithgow
Wigtownshire	Wigtown8

1. In 1900 Aberdeen became a county of a city and thus outside Aberdeenshire. Aberdeenshire or the County of Aberdeen ( Siorrachd Obar Dheathain in Gaelic) is a Registration county of Scotland. Aberdeen ( pronounced; Aiberdeen Obar Dheathain is Scotland 's third most populous city and one of Scotland's 32 local government council Angus ( Aonghas in Gaelic) is one of the 32 local government Council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. Forfar is a town and former Royal burgh of approximately 13500 people located in the Unitary authority of Angus in Scotland. Argyll, Archaically Argyle ( Earra-Ghàidheal in modern Gaelic) is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part Lochgilphead ( Scottish Gaelic Ceann Loch Gilb kʲan̴̪ ɫ̪ɔx ˈg̊ilib̥ is a town and former Burgh in Scotland, with a population Inveraray ( Inbhir Aora in Gaelic) is a town and former Royal Burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, located on the western shore Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir ʃir̴əxg̊ iɲiɾʲˈaːɾʲ is a Registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, Ayr (Inbhir Àir Mouth of the River Ayr) is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde, in south-west Scotland. The County of Banff is a Registration county for property and Banffshire (ˈbæmfʃə ( Siorrachd Bhanbh in Gaelic) is a Lieutenancy area Banff ( Gaelic Banbh) and Macduff (Gaelic MacDhuibh) are neighbouring towns situated on Banff Bay, both of which are former Berwickshire or the County of Berwick is a Registration county, a Committee area of the Scottish Borders Council, and a lieutenancy Duns was created a Burgh of Barony in 1490 by James IV, and is a former County town of Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders. Berwick-upon-Tweed ( ˈbɛrɪk- ( Scots: Berwick or historically South Berwick) situated in the county of Northumberland, is the northernmost Greenlaw is a small town in the Borders of Scotland. It was for a time the County town of Berwickshire. The County of Bute ( Siorrachd Bhòid in Gaelic) is one of the registration counties of Scotland. The town of Rothesay (Baile Bhòid is the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Geography Caithness extends about 40 Miles (64 Kilometres) north-south and about 30 miles (50 km east-west Wick ( Inbhir Uige in Gaelic) is an Estuary Town and a former Burgh in the north of the Highland council area Clackmannanshire ( Siorrachd Chlach Mhannainn in Gaelic; nicknamed "the wee county" and sometimes called Clacks is one of the 32 local government Alloa ( Allmhagh Mòr in Gaelic is a small Burgh in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, 6 miles to the east of Stirling, on the north Clackmannan District 1975-96 Cromartyshire ( Siorrachd Chromba in Gaelic) was a county in the Highlands of Scotland, consisting of a series of Enclaves The Royal Burgh of Cromarty ( Cromba in Gaelic) is a Burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries ( Siorrachd Dhùn Phris in Gaelic) is a Registration county of Scotland. Dumfries (dəmˈfriːs is a town and former Royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland and is situated close to the Name Dumbarton was formerly the county town and the county was originally also spelled Dumbartonshire. Dumbarton ( Gaelic Dùn Breatainn d̪̊unˈb̊ɾʲɛhd̪̊ɪɲ is a Burgh in Scotland, lying on the north bank of the River Clyde East Lothian ( Lodainn an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 Unitary council areas in Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. Haddington is a town and former Royal Burgh in East Lothian, Scotland Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland Cupar is a town and former Royal burgh in Fife, Scotland. The town is approximately equidistant between the larger settlements of Dundee Inverness-shire also known as the county of Inverness or Siorrachd Inbhir Nis in Gaelic, was a general purpose county of Scotland, Inverness (Inbhir Nis iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ is a city in northern Scotland. The County of Kincardine, also known as Kincardineshire or The Mearns (from A' Mhaoirne meaning 'The Stewartry' was a local government Stonehaven ( Steenhive in the Doric dialect of Scots) and Cala na Creige in Gaelic is a town with around fourteen thousand inhabitants See also Abernethy and Kincardine, Kincardine Ross and Cromarty Kincardine ( Gaelic: Cinn Chàrdainn) or Kincardine-on-Forth Kinross-shire, officially the County of Kinross, was a county of Scotland. Kinross ( Gaelic: Ceann Rois) is a Burgh in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (kɚˈkuːbriː Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt in Gaelic) or Kirkcudbrightshire (kɚˈkuːbriːʃɚ was formerly a Kirkcudbright, (kɚˈkuːbriː ("Kirr Coo Bree" (Cille Chuithbeirt is a town in the south of Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway. Lanarkshire ( Siorrachd Lannraig in Gaelic) officially the County of Lanark, was formerly a county of Scotland. Lanark is a small town in the Central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland Midlothian ( Meadhan Lodainn in Gaelic) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Moray ( Moireibh in Gaelic) is one of the Registration counties of Scotland, bordering Nairnshire to the west Inverness-shire Elgin (Eilginn is a former Cathedral city and a former Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland and is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray County The county also known as Nairnshire or Siorrachd Inbhir Narann in Gaelic, was described in 1846 as "about twenty-two miles in Nairn ( Gaelic: Inbhir Narann) is a town in the Highland council area of Scotland. Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. Peeblesshire ( Siorrachd nam Pùballan in Gaelic) the County of Peebles or Tweeddale was a county of Scotland. Peebles ( Gaelic: Na Pùballan is a Burgh in the Committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, Perthshire ( Siorrachd Pheairt in Gaelic) officially the County of Perth, is a Registration county in central Scotland. Perth (Peairt is a town and former Royal burgh in central Scotland. Renfrewshire ( Siorrachd Rinn Friù in Scottish Gaelic) is one of 32 Council areas of Scotland. Renfrew ( Rinn Friù in Scottish Gaelic) is a town located west of Glasgow on the west coast of Scotland. Ross-shire, or the County of Ross, ( Siorrachd Rois in Scottish Gaelic) is a former county of Scotland. Dingwall ( Inbhir Pheofharain in Gaelic) is a town and former Royal burgh in the highlands of Scotland. Ross and Cromarty Committee area (1996-date Ross and Cromarty lieutenancy area (1996-date Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a Registration county of Scotland. Jedburgh (Referred to locally Jeddart or Jethart is a town and former Royal burgh in the Scottish Borders and historically in Roxburghshire. The destroyed Royal burgh of Roxburgh (or Rosbroch) was an important trading Burgh in High Medieval to early modern Scotland Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk ( Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Shalcraig) is a Registration county of Scotland. Selkirk, a town and former Royal burgh in the Scottish Borders, lies on the River Ettrick, a tributary of the River Tweed. Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of For the aircraft see Saro Lerwick Lerwick is the only Burgh and main port of the Shetland Islands Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling ( Siorrachd Sruighlea in Gaelic) is a Registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling Stirling ( Gaelic: Sruighlea, Scots: Stirlin) is a city and former ancient Burgh in Scotland, and is at Sutherland (In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas Dùthaich 'Ic Aoidh (NW Asainte (Assynt and Cataibh (East Dornoch ( Gaelic: Dòrnach, d̪̊ɔːɾnəx is a town and Seaside resort, and former Royal burgh in the Highlands of Scotland West Lothian ( Lodainn an Iar in Gaelic) is one of the 32 unitary Council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. Linlithgow ( pronounced) ( Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Iucha, Scots Lithgae) is a town and former Royal Burgh in The County of Wigtown, or Wigtownshire ( Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige) is a Registration county in the south west of Scotland It is not to be confused with the town in north-west England called Wigton Wigtown ( Gd: Baile na h-Uige
2. Inverary was regarded as the county town until 1890, when the Argyll County Council was created with headquarters in Lochgilphead.
3. The headquarters of the Lanark County Council established in 1890 were in Hamilton. Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west- Central Lowlands of Scotland.
4. Edinburgh was a county of itself, and therefore lay outside the county of Midlothian.
5. The headquarters of Renfrew County Council were in Paisley from 1890. Paisley (Pàislig is a town and former Burgh in the west- Central Lowlands of Scotland.
6. Newtown St Boswells was the administrative headquarters of the county council established in 1890.
7. The headquarters of Sutherland County Council were at Golspie from 1890. Golspie is a coastal village in Sutherland, Highland, Scotland.
8. Stranraer became the administrative headquarters of the Wigtown county council in 1890, and was sometimes described as the "county town" thereafter. Stranraer ( Gaelic: An t-Sròn Reamhar, ən̴̪ t̪ɾɔːn ɾãũ

Historic counties of Wales

County	County town
Anglesey	Llangefni (formerly Beaumaris)
Brecknockshire	Brecon
Caernarvonshire	Caernarfon
Cardiganshire	Cardigan
Carmarthenshire	Carmarthen
Denbighshire	Ruthin (formerly Denbigh)
Flintshire	Mold (formerly Flint)
Glamorgan	Cardiff
Merionethshire	Dolgellau
Monmouthshire	Monmouth
Montgomeryshire	Montgomery
Pembrokeshire	Haverfordwest (formerly Pembroke)
Radnorshire	Presteigne (formerly New Radnor)

Historic counties of Northern Ireland

County	County town
County Antrim	Antrim
County Armagh	Armagh
County Down	Downpatrick
County Fermanagh	Enniskillen
County Londonderry	Derry
County Tyrone	Omagh

Note - Despite the fact that Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, it is not the county town of any county. History There are numerous Megalithic monuments and Menhirs present on Anglesey testifying to the presence of mankind in prehistory Llangefni is the County town Notable residents John Elias, preacher lived in the town 1830&ndash1841 Christmas Evans The Royal Borough of Beaumaris (the first syllable is pronounced as in beautiful, so byoo-maris, not bow-maris) (Biwmares is the former Brecknockshire (Sir Frycheiniog also known as the County of Brecknock, Breconshire, or the County of Brecon is one of thirteen historic counties Brecon (Aberhonddu is an historic Market town in southern Powys, mid Wales, with a population of roughly 8000 with around 6000 in the surrounding area Caernarfonshire (Sir Gaernarfon sometimes also spelt as Caernarvonshire and Carnarvonshire, is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Cardiganshire (Sir Aberteifi was an ancient county of Wales created in 1282 Cardigan (Aberteifi is a Town in the County of Ceredigion in West Wales. Geography The county is bounded to the north by Ceredigion, to the east by Powys, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea, to the south by the Carmarthen ( Welsh Caerfyrddin - caer fort + Myrddin Moridunum is the County town of Carmarthenshire, Wales. The old Denbighshire (Sir Ddinbych is one of thirteen Historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county, which covered an area in north-east Wales Ruthin ( Welsh: Rhuthun) pronounced RITH-in Denbigh (Dinbych is a Market town in Denbighshire, North Wales. The old Flintshire (Sir Y Fflint is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales, mostly based on Wales north-east coast Mold (Yr Wyddgrug is a Town in Flintshire, North Wales, on the River Alyn. Flint (Y Fflint is a Town in Flintshire, North Wales, lying on the Estuary of the River Dee. Glamorgan or Glamorganshire (Morgannwg is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Merionethshire (Meirionnydd Sir Feirionnydd is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county Dolgellau (pronounced /dɔl'gɛɬaɨ/ occasionally /-gɛɬi/ is a Market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, Monmouthshire, also known as the County of Monmouth (Sir Fynwy is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county This is about the Welsh town of Monmouth For other uses see Monmouth (disambiguation. Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn (Sir Drefaldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. The historic County town of Montgomery (Trefaldwyn meaning "The Town of Baldwin" in Mid Wales lies just three Miles from the English border Geography Pembrokeshire is a maritime County, bordered by the sea on three sides by Ceredigion (Cardiganshire to the northeast and by Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd is the County town of Pembrokeshire, in south-west Wales. Pembroke (Penfro is the traditional County town of Pembrokeshire in west Wales. Radnorshire (Sir Faesyfed is one of thirteen ancient and former administrative counties of Wales. Presteigne (Llanandras the church of St Andrew) was the County town of the historic county of Radnorshire, Wales. New Radnor is a Village in Powys, Mid Wales. Traditional County Town It was the original County town of County Antrim ( Contae Aontroma or simply Aontroim in Irish) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, and one of nine counties Antrim ( is a town in County Antrim in the northeast of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the Six Mile Water, half a mile northeast from Lough County Armagh ( Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish - from the height of Macha) is a county in Ulster in the north east of Ireland The City of Armagh ( is an ancient religious site of worship of both celtic paganism and Christianity and the oldest of the five cities in Northern Ireland, County Down, ( Ulster Scots: Coontie Doun. is one of the nine counties that form the province of Ulster and one of six counties that form Downpatrick ( is a town in County Down in Northern Ireland, about 33 km south of Belfast. County Fermanagh (fɚr'mænɘ Contae Fhear Manach or Fear Manach ('Men of Monach'in Irish) is the westernmost of the six counties that form Northern Enniskillen ( is the county town (and largest town in County Fermanagh and the west of Northern Ireland. Omagh (pronounced /'omæ/) is the County town of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. Greater Belfast straddles two counties (Antrim and Down).

Traditional counties of the Republic of Ireland

The term county capital is also used.

County	County town
County Carlow	Carlow
County Cavan	Cavan
County Clare	Ennis
County Cork	Cork
County Donegal	Lifford
County Dublin	Dublin
County Galway	Galway
County Kerry	Tralee
County Kildare	Naas
County Kilkenny	Kilkenny
County Laois	Portlaoise
County Leitrim	Carrick-on-Shannon
County Limerick	Limerick
County Longford	Longford
County Louth	Dundalk
County Mayo	Castlebar
County Meath	Trim (Navan - de facto)
County Monaghan	Monaghan
County Offaly	Tullamore
County Roscommon	Roscommon
County Sligo	Sligo
County Tipperary	Previously Cashel and Clonmel. County Carlow (Contae Cheatharlach is a County in Ireland located towards the south east of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. Carlow ( is an inland Town in the south-east of Ireland in County Carlow, 84 km from Dublin. County Cavan ( Contae an Chabháin in Irish) is a County in Ireland. Cavan (ˈkævən) is the county seat of County Cavan in Ireland. County Clare ( Irish: Contae an Chláir) commonly referred to as simply Clare, is a county on Ireland and part of the wider Ennis ( is the County town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway County Cork (Contae Chorcaí is the most southerly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. Cork (Corcaigh is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland 's third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall. Lifford ( Leifear in Irish) is the County Town of Donegal, Ireland. County Dublin (Contae Bhaile Átha Cliath or more correctly today the Dublin Region ( Réigiúin Átha Cliath) is the area that contains the city of Dublin Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe is located on the West Coast of Ireland. Galway (Gaillimh is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. County Kerry ( Contae Chiarraí in Irish) is a southwestern county of Ireland. Tralee (Trá Lí (or Tráigh Lí is the county town of County Kerry, in the southwest corner of Ireland. County Kildare (Contae Chill Dara is an Irish County located to the southwest of Dublin in the province of Leinster. Naas (ˈneɪs Irish: Nás na Ríogh nɑːs nə riː or An Nás nɑːs is the county town of County Kildare, Ireland. County Kilkenny ( is a landlocked county in Ireland. The county takes its name from the city of Kilkenny and has a population of 87558 Kilkenny, ( is a city and county town of County Kilkenny in Ireland. County Laois (liːʃ Contae Laoise in Irish) formerly also Laoighis or Leix, is a County in the midlands of Ireland, Portlaoise (older spelling Portlaoighise; former name Maryborough in Irish Port Laoise a shortening of Port Laoighse) is the County County Leitrim ( is one of the counties of Ireland and is part of the province of Connacht. Carrick-on-Shannon ( is situated in County Leitrim in Ireland on the County Roscommon border County Limerick ( Contae Luimnigh in Irish) is a County in the Province of Munster, located in the mid-west of Ireland with County Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster County Longford (Contae an Longfoirt is a county situated in the Irish Midlands, in northwest Leinster. Longford ( An Longfort in Irish) is the county town of County Longford in the Midlands of Ireland. County Louth (Contae Lú is a County on the East coast of Ireland, on the border with Northern Ireland. Dundalk (Dún Dealgan is the County town of County Louth in Ireland, situated close to the border with Northern Ireland. Castlebar ( is the County town of and at the centre of County Mayo, Ireland. County Meath (Contae na Mí is a county in Ireland, often informally called The Royal County Trim ( is the traditional County town of County Meath in Ireland, although the county town is now Navan. Navan (ˈnævən) is the largest town and County town or administrative capital of County Meath, Ireland. County Monaghan ('mɔnəhən Irish: Contae Mhuineacháin) is a county in Ireland. Monaghan (Muineachán is a town in Ireland, the administrative capital of County Monaghan. County Offaly (Contae Uíbh Fhailí is a County in Leinster, Ireland, bordered by seven other counties Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath Tullamore ( Tulach Mhór in Irish) is a town in County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. Not to be confused with Roscommon County Michigan, United States County Roscommon (Contae Ros Comáin is a County located in central Ireland Roscommon (Ros Comáin is the county seat of County Roscommon in Ireland. County Sligo ( is a county in the province of Connacht in the west of Ireland. Sligo (disambiguation Sligo ( (ˈslaɪɡoʊ "sly-go" Irish ˈɕlʲɪɟəx is the County town of County Sligo in Ireland. County Tipperary (Contae Thiobraid Árann is a County in Ireland situated in the Province of Munster. Cashel (Caiseal Mumhan meaning Stone Fortress of Munster) is a Town in County Tipperary, in the southern midlands of Ireland, which is also Clonmel ( Cluain Meala in Irish) in County Tipperary is the county seat of South Tipperary County Council. Since 1898 shared between Clonmel (south) and Nenagh (north). Clonmel ( Cluain Meala in Irish) in County Tipperary is the county seat of South Tipperary County Council. Nenagh ( An tAonach in Irish) is the county town of North Tipperary, Ireland. Tipperary Town has never been county town. Tipperary ( Irish: Tiobraid Árann, lit "The well of Arra" is the name of a town (pop 4546 in the south-west of County Tipperary, Ireland
County Waterford	Dungarvan (previously Waterford). County Waterford (Contae Phort Láirge is a County in the province of Munster on the south coast of Ireland. Dungarvan ( Dún Garbháin in Irish) is a town and Harbour on the south coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. Waterford ( or Windy fjord;) is a city in Ireland. It is the primary city of the South East region and the fifth largest in the country
County Westmeath	Mullingar
County Wexford	Wexford
County Wicklow	Wicklow

Other counties of the Republic of Ireland

• County of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown - Dún Laoghaire
• County of Fingal - Swords
• County of North Tipperary - Nenagh
• County of South Dublin - Tallaght
• County of South Tipperary - Clonmel

County Halls

Over time, the location of administrative headquarters (County Halls) have moved away from the traditional county town. County Westmeath (Contae na hIarmhí is a County situated in the Irish midlands, also popularly called the "Lake county" in the western part of the province Mullingar ( An Muileann gCearr in Irish, meaning "the left-handed or wry mill" is the administrative centre of County Westmeath, Ireland County Wexford (Contae Loch Garman is a maritime county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. Wexford (derived from Old Norse Veisafjǫrðr (in some sources spelled "Waes Fiord" – veisa meaning "mudflat stagnant pool" County Wicklow (Contae Chill Mhantáin is a county on the east coast of Ireland, immediately south of Dublin. Wicklow ( is the County seat of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of the capital Dublin on the east coast of the island it has a population The County of Dun Laoghaire&ndashRathdown (Contae Dhún Laoghaire&ndashRáth an Dúin is a county in Ireland formed from part of the old county of Dublin Dún Laoghaire (in Irish d̪ˠuːn̪ˠ ˈɫeːrʲə sometimes spelled Dún Laoire; Anglicised as Dunleary, dʌn ˈlɪəri is a suburban The County of Fingal ( is a county in Ireland. It was formed from part of the historic County Dublin. Swords (Sord Cholm Cille is a medium-sized suburban town located in Fingal, Ireland, close to Dublin Airport. North Tipperary County (Contae Thiobraid Árann Thuaidh known until 2002 as Tipperary North Riding) is an Administrative county in Ireland, consisting Nenagh ( An tAonach in Irish) is the county town of North Tipperary, Ireland. The County of South Dublin (Contae Átha Cliath Theas is a county in Ireland, with its county seat located in Tallaght. Tallaght (pronounced /'tælæ/ Tamhlacht is the largest town and county seat, of South Dublin County, Ireland. South Tipperary County (County Thiobraid Árann Theas known until 2002 as Tipperary South Riding) is an Administrative county in Ireland, consisting of Clonmel ( Cluain Meala in Irish) in County Tipperary is the county seat of South Tipperary County Council. Furthermore, in 1965 and 1974 there were major administrative boundary changes in England and Wales and administrative counties were replaced with new metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties. History The Roman occupation of Britain was the first period in which the area of present-day England and Wales was administered as a single unit (with the exception An administrative county was an Administrative division in England and Wales and Ireland used for the purposes of Local government. The metropolitan counties are a type of county-level Administrative division of England. A non-metropolitan county or shire county in England, is a county-level entity which is not a Metropolitan county. The boundaries underwent more major alterations between 1995 and 1998 to create unitary authorities and some of the ancient counties and county towns were restored for administrative purposes. See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions (Note: not all headquarters are or were called County Halls or Shire Halls eg: Cumbria County Council's HQ is called The Courts). Before 1974 many of the county halls were located in towns and cities that had the status of a county borough ie: a borough outside of the county council's jurisdiction. County borough is a term introduced in 1889 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (excluding Scotland) to refer to a Borough or a City

England

County council	Date	Headquarters
Avon	1974 to 1996	Bristol
Bedfordshire	1889 onwards	Bedford
Berkshire	1889 to 1998	Reading (county borough until 1974)
City and County of Bristol	1996 onwards	Bristol
Buckinghamshire	1889 onwards	Aylesbury
Cambridgeshire	1889 to 1965 1974 onwards	Cambridge
Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely	1965 to 1974	Cambridge
Cheshire	1889 onwards	Chester
Cleveland	1974 to 1996	Middlesbrough
Cornwall	1889 onwards	Truro
Cumberland	1889 to 1974	Carlisle (county borough from 1914)
Cumbria	1974 onwards	Carlisle
Derbyshire	1889 onwards	Matlock (moved from Derby, county borough 1958)[11]
Devon	1889 onwards	Exeter (county borough until 1974). The former County of Avon was a non-metropolitan county and ceremonial county in the west of England, named after the River Avon, which Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds) is a County in England that forms part of the East of England region. Bedford is the County town of Bedfordshire, England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the Bedford borough Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South Reading (ˈrɛdɪŋ as Redding) is a town in England, located at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, midway between Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London Buckinghamshire (abbreviated Bucks) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. See also Aylesbury Urban Area Aylesbury is the County town of Buckinghamshire in south east England. History Cambridgeshire is noted as the site of some of the earliest known Neolithic permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, along with sites at Fengate The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely was from 1965 to 1974 an Administrative county of England. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England Cheshire (or archaically the County of Chester) is a county in North West England. Chester is the County town of Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77040 Cleveland is an area in the north east of England. Its name means literally "cliff-land" referring to its hilly southern areas which rise to nearly. Middlesbrough ( IPA ( Received pronunciation) is a Town in the Tees Valley sub-region of the North East of England Cornwall ( Kernow ˈkɛɹnɔʊ is the most southwesterly county of England, on the Peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar Truro (ˈtruːrəʊ Truru is a city in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, and is the centre for administration leisure Cumberland is one of the 39 Historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1915 and now forms part of Carlisle (pronounced CARLYLE(emphasis on the first syllable is a City in northern England the largest settlement in Cumbria. Boundaries and divisions Cumbria is neighboured by Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Lieutenancy Carlisle (pronounced CARLYLE(emphasis on the first syllable is a City in northern England the largest settlement in Cumbria. History The area that is now Derbyshire was first visited probably briefly by humans 200000 years ago during the Aveley Interglacial as evidenced by a Middle Matlock is the County town of Derbyshire, England. It is situated at the south eastern edge of the Peak District, and is twinned Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Exeter ( (IPA ˈeksɪtər is a city, district and County town of Devon, England. In 1963 the Devon County Buildings Area was transferred from the county borough of Exeter to the administrative county of Devon, of which it formed an exclave until 1974. [12]
Dorset	1889 onwards	Dorchester
Durham	1889 onwards	Durham
Essex	1889 onwards	Chelmsford
Gloucestershire	1889 onwards	Gloucester (county borough until 1974)
Greater London	1965 to 1986 2002 onwards	County Hall, Lambeth (Greater London Council) City Hall, Southwark (Greater London Authority)
Greater Manchester	1974 to 1986	Manchester
Hampshire	1889 onwards	Winchester
Herefordshire	1889 to 1974 1998 onwards	Hereford
Hereford and Worcester	1974 to 1998	Worcester
Hertfordshire	1889 onwards	Hertford
Humberside	1974 to 1996	Beverley
Huntingdonshire	1889 to 1965	Huntingdon
Huntingdon and Peterborough	1965 to 1974	Huntingdon
Isle of Ely	1889 to 1965	March
Isle of Wight	1890 onwards	Newport
Kent	1889 onwards	Maidstone
Lancashire	1889 onwards	Preston (moved from Lancaster, County Hall opened in 1882, county borough until 1974)
Leicestershire	1889 onwards	Glenfield (moved from county borough of Leicester in 1967)
Lincolnshire, Parts of Lindsey	1889 to 1974	Lincoln (county borough)
Lincolnshire, Parts of Holland	1889 to 1974	Boston
Lincolnshire, Parts of Kesteven	1889 to 1974	Sleaford
Lincolnshire	1974 onwards	Lincoln
London	1889 to 1965	Spring Gardens, Westminster until 1922, County Hall at Lambeth thereafter. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast Dorchester is a Market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 Durham (ˈdʌrəm in RP, locally ˈdʏrəm is a small city and main settlement of the City of Durham district of County Durham, England Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. History See also History of Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is a historic county mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 10th century Gloucester (ˈɡlɒstɚ) is a city, district and County town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Greater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London, England. County Hall (sometimes called London County Hall LCH is a building in Lambeth, London, that was the headquarters of London County Council and later the Lambeth is a place in the London Borough of Lambeth, although the area is now more commonly known as Waterloo, after the railway station whose viaduct separates the The Greater London Council (GLC was the top-tier Local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986 City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority which comprises the Mayor of London and London Assembly. Southwark or The Borough is an area of south-east London in the London Borough of Southwark, situated 1 The Greater London Authority ( GLA) is the city-wide governing body for London, England. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 Wildlife Hampshire has wildlife typical of the island of Great Britain Winchester or Winton ( archaic) is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40000 within a radius of its centre Constitution Herefordshire was reconstituted both as a new Non-metropolitan district (effective 19th July 1996 and as a new County comprising the area of the Hereford ( ˈhɛrɨfəd is a city, Civil parish and County town of Herefordshire, England. Hereford and Worcester was an English county created on 1 April 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 from the area of the former administrative Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Hertford (standard pronunciations /'hɑːtֽfəd/ and /'hɑːֽfəd/ local pronunciation /'ɑːʔֽfəd/ is the affluent County town of Hertfordshire, Humberside was a Non-metropolitan county of England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. Beverley is a Market town, Civil parish and the County town of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, located between the River History The earliest English settlers in the district were the Gyrwas, an East Anglian tribe who early in the 6th century worked their way up the Ouse and the Cam Huntingdon is a town in the county of Cambridgeshire in East Anglia, England. Huntingdon and Peterborough was a short-lived Administrative county in East Anglia in the United Kingdom. Huntingdon is a town in the county of Cambridgeshire in East Anglia, England. The Isle of Ely is a historic region around the city of Ely now in Cambridgeshire, England but previously a county in its own right March is a Fenland market town in the Isle of Ely area of Cambridgeshire, England. The Isle of Wight is an English Island and county in the English Channel between three and five miles (8 km from the south coast of the Newport is the County town of the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England. KENT (1400 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format Maidstone is the County town of Kent, England, south-east of London. Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea Preston ( ˈprɛstən is a city and local government district in Lancashire, England, located on the River Ribble. Lancaster (pronounced ˈlæŋˌkæstə or ˈlænˌkæstə is a City in Lancashire, England. Leicestershire (ˈlɛstəʃə(r or ˈlɛstəʃɪə(r abbreviation Leics Glenfield is a satellite town and suburb of Leicester, England. Leicester (ˈlɛstə is the largest city and Unitary authority area in the East Midlands of England, and is the traditional Lindsey was a unit of local government until 1974 in Lincolnshire, England, covering the northern part of the county Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. Holland is an area of south-east Lincolnshire, England. The name is still recognised locally and survives in the district of South Holland. Boston ( is a town and small Port in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England. The Parts of Kesteven are a traditional subdivision of Lincolnshire, England. Sleaford is a town within the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. The County of London was a ceremonial county and administrative county of England from 1889 to 1965 Westminster is an area of Central London, within the City of Westminster. County Hall (sometimes called London County Hall LCH is a building in Lambeth, London, that was the headquarters of London County Council and later the Lambeth is a place in the London Borough of Lambeth, although the area is now more commonly known as Waterloo, after the railway station whose viaduct separates the
Merseyside	1974 to 1986	Liverpool
Middlesex	1889 to 1965	Middlesex Guildhall at Westminster in County of London
Monmouthshire	1889 to 1974	Newport (county borough)
Norfolk	1889 onwards	Norwich (county borough until 1974)
Northamptonshire	1889 onwards	Northampton (county borough until 1974)
Northumberland	1889 onwards	Newcastle upon Tyne 1889 - 1981: Northumberland County Hall was situated within an exclave of Northumberland (Moot Hall Precincts) within the county borough of Newcastle 1889 - 1974; the area became part of the county of Tyne and Wear in 1974 and was thus extra-territorial Morpeth since 1981[13]
Nottinghamshire	1889 onwards	West Bridgford (moved from county borough of Nottingham in 1959)
Oxfordshire	1889 onwards	Oxford (county borough until 1974)
Soke of Peterborough	1889 to 1965	Peterborough
Rutland	1889 to 1974 1997 onwards	Oakham
Shropshire	1889 onwards	Shrewsbury
Somerset	1889 onwards	Taunton
Staffordshire	1889 onwards	Stafford
East Suffolk	1889 to 1974	Ipswich (county borough)
West Suffolk	1889 to 1974	Bury
Suffolk	1974 onwards	Ipswich
Surrey	1889 onwards	Inner London Sessions House, Newington, until County Hall, Kingston upon Thames opened in 1893 (Kingston has been in Greater London since 1965)
East Sussex	1889 onwards	Lewes
West Sussex	1889 onwards	Chichester (originally jointly with Horsham)[8]
Tyne and Wear	1974 to 1986	Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Warwickshire	1889 onwards	Warwick
West Midlands	1974 to 1986	Birmingham
Westmorland	1889 to 1974	Kendal
Wiltshire	1889 onwards	Trowbridge
Worcestershire	1889 to 1974 1998 onwards	Worcester (county borough until 1974)
Yorkshire, East Riding	1889 to 1974 1996 onwards	Beverley (later HQ of Humberside)
Yorkshire, North Riding	1889 to 1974	Northallerton
North Yorkshire	1974 onwards	Northallerton
South Yorkshire	1974 to 1986	Barnsley
Yorkshire, West Riding	1889 to 1974	Wakefield (county borough from 1915)
West Yorkshire	1974 to 1986	Wakefield

Wales

County council	Date	Headquarters
Anglesey	1889 to 1974 1996 onwards	Llangefni
Brecknockshire	1889 to 1974	Brecon
Caernarfonshire	1889 to 1974	Caernarfon
Carmarthenshire	1889 to 1974 1996 onwards	Carmarthen
Cardiganshire	1889 to 1974	Aberaeron
Clwyd	1974 to 1996	Mold
Denbighshire	1889 to 1974	Denbigh
Dyfed	1974 to 1996	Carmarthen
Flintshire	1889 to 1974	Mold
Glamorgan	1889 to 1974	Cardiff (county borough)
Gwent	1978 to 1996	Cwmbran
Gwynedd	1974 to 1996	Caernarfon
Mid Glamorgan	1974 to 1996	Cardiff (extraterritorial)
Merionethshire	1889 to 1974	Dolgellau
Monmouthshire	1889 to 1974	Newport (county borough)
Montgomeryshire	1889 to 1974	Welshpool
Pembrokeshire	1889 to 1974 1996 onwards	Haverfordwest
Radnorshire	1889 to 1974	Llandrindod Wells
Powys	1974 onwards	Llandrindod Wells
South Glamorgan	1974 to 1996	Cardiff
West Glamorgan	1974 to 1996	Swansea

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of England, Vol. Merseyside is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1365900 Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The Middlesex Guildhall is a building on the south-west corner of Parliament Square in London. The County of London was a ceremonial county and administrative county of England from 1889 to 1965 Monmouthshire, also known as the County of Monmouth (Sir Fynwy is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county Newport (Casnewydd is a city and principal area in Wales, in the United Kingdom. Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. History Roman The Romans had their regional capital at Venta Icenorum on the river to the south which is near modern-day Caistor St Edmund Northamptonshire (or archaically the County of Northampton; abbreviated Northants This article is about Northampton in England for other places of the same name see Northampton (disambiguation Northampton ( is a large Market Northumberland is a county in the North East of England. The non-metropolitan county of Northumberland borders Cumbria to the west Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Morpeth is the County town of Northumberland, England. It is situated on the River Wansbeck which flows east through the town Nottinghamshire (abbreviated Notts) is an English county in the East Midlands, which borders South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire West Bridgford is a town in the county of Nottinghamshire, England. Nottingham ( is a city in the Ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire, England. History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, The Soke of Peterborough is an historic area of England that is traditionally associated with the City and Diocese of Peterborough, but considered History Early history Present-day Peterborough is the latest in a series of settlements which have at one time or other benefited from its situation where the Nene Rutland is a county of mainland England, bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire, and southeast by Oakham is the County town of Rutland, England. It lies east from Leicester, and has a Shropshire (ˈʃrɒpʃɪə/ /-ʃə alternatively known as Salop or abbreviated in print only Shrops, is a county in the Shrewsbury ( /ˈʃruːzbri/ or /ˈʃroʊzbri/ is the County town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county Taunton is the County town of Somerset, England. The Unparished area (or former Municipal borough) of Taunton has a Population Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. This article is about the town of Stafford England For the larger local government district see Borough of Stafford. East Suffolk, along with West Suffolk, was created in 1888 as an Administrative county of England. Ipswich ( ˈɪpswɪtʃ is a Non-metropolitan district and the County town of Suffolk, England on the Estuary of the River Orwell West Suffolk was an Administrative county of England created in 1889 from part of the county of Suffolk. Bury St Edmunds is a town in the county of Suffolk, England and formerly the County town of West Suffolk. Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. Ipswich ( ˈɪpswɪtʃ is a Non-metropolitan district and the County town of Suffolk, England on the Estuary of the River Orwell Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. Gallery Newington is an area within the London Borough of Southwark in London, England. County Hall is the main government building for the county of Surrey in England. Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough Greater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London, England. East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the Lewes (ˈluːɨs Lewis) is the County town of East Sussex, England and gives its name to the Local government district in which it Settlements Most settlements in West Sussex are either along the south coast or are situated in the M23 corridor Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England. It has a long history as a settlement its Roman past and its subsequent importance Horsham is a Market town situated on the River Arun in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England with a population of roughly 50000 Newcastle upon Tyne ( (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and Metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, England Geography Warwickshire is bounded to the northwest by the West Midlands Metropolitan county and Staffordshire, by Leicestershire to Warwick (ˈwɒrɪk worrick (silent w in middle is the County town of Warwickshire, England. The West Midlands is a Metropolitan county in western central England with a population of 2591300 Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um Westmorland (formerly also spelt Westmoreland, an even older spelling is Westmerland) is an area of north-west England and one of the 39 Historic counties Kendal is a Market town and Civil parish within the South Lakeland district of Cumbria, England. Etymology The county formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the River Wylye Trowbridge is the County town of Wiltshire, England, situated on the River Biss in the west of the county approximately 12 miles (19 km southeast Worcestershire (ˈwʊstəʃə abbreviated Worcs) is a county located in the West Midlands region of central England. Worcester (ˈwʊstə is a city and County town of Worcestershire, in the West Midlands of England. Beverley is a Market town, Civil parish and the County town of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, located between the River The North Riding of Yorkshire was one of the three historic subdivisions of the English county of Yorkshire, alongside the East and West Northallerton (ɴɔːɵɑːlɜɾtʌn is a Market town in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county in Northallerton (ɴɔːɵɑːlɜɾtʌn is a Market town in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England Divisions and environs South Yorkshire is divided into four local government districts they are the City of Sheffield, the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, and west of Doncaster The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. Wakefield lies at the heart of the City of Wakefield, a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of Wakefield lies at the heart of the City of Wakefield, a Metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. History There are numerous Megalithic monuments and Menhirs present on Anglesey testifying to the presence of mankind in prehistory Llangefni is the County town Notable residents John Elias, preacher lived in the town 1830&ndash1841 Christmas Evans Brecknockshire (Sir Frycheiniog also known as the County of Brecknock, Breconshire, or the County of Brecon is one of thirteen historic counties Brecon (Aberhonddu is an historic Market town in southern Powys, mid Wales, with a population of roughly 8000 with around 6000 in the surrounding area Caernarfonshire (Sir Gaernarfon sometimes also spelt as Caernarvonshire and Carnarvonshire, is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Geography The county is bounded to the north by Ceredigion, to the east by Powys, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea, to the south by the Carmarthen ( Welsh Caerfyrddin - caer fort + Myrddin Moridunum is the County town of Carmarthenshire, Wales. Cardiganshire (Sir Aberteifi was an ancient county of Wales created in 1282 Aberaeron (Mouth of the River Aeron is a Seaside resort Town in Ceredigion, Wales. Clwyd is a preserved county of Wales. From 1974 until 1996 it was a county with a County council, and was divided into six districts Mold (Yr Wyddgrug is a Town in Flintshire, North Wales, on the River Alyn. The old Denbighshire (Sir Ddinbych is one of thirteen Historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county, which covered an area in north-east Wales Denbigh (Dinbych is a Market town in Denbighshire, North Wales. Dyfed ('dɪ ved is a preserved county of Wales. Dyfed was created by the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974. Carmarthen ( Welsh Caerfyrddin - caer fort + Myrddin Moridunum is the County town of Carmarthenshire, Wales. The old Flintshire (Sir Y Fflint is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales, mostly based on Wales north-east coast Mold (Yr Wyddgrug is a Town in Flintshire, North Wales, on the River Alyn. Glamorgan or Glamorganshire (Morgannwg is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Gwent is a preserved county and a former local government county in south-east Wales. Cwmbran (Cwmbrân is a New town in Wales within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire, and within the modern County borough of History Gwynedd was an independent kingdom from the end of the Roman period until the 13th Century when it was conquered and subjugated by England Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Mid Glamorgan is a ceremonial preserved county of Wales. From 1974 until 1996, it was also an administrative county with a county council Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Merionethshire (Meirionnydd Sir Feirionnydd is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county Dolgellau (pronounced /dɔl'gɛɬaɨ/ occasionally /-gɛɬi/ is a Market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, Monmouthshire, also known as the County of Monmouth (Sir Fynwy is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county Newport (Casnewydd is a city and principal area in Wales, in the United Kingdom. Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn (Sir Drefaldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Welshpool (Y Trallwng is a Town in Powys, Wales, only 4 miles (6 km from the border with England. Geography Pembrokeshire is a maritime County, bordered by the sea on three sides by Ceredigion (Cardiganshire to the northeast and by Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd is the County town of Pembrokeshire, in south-west Wales. Radnorshire (Sir Faesyfed is one of thirteen ancient and former administrative counties of Wales. Llandrindod Wells (Llandrindod known locally as "Llandod" is a Town in Powys, Wales. This article is about the county of Wales For the ancient kingdom see Kingdom of Powys. Llandrindod Wells (Llandrindod known locally as "Llandod" is a Town in Powys, Wales. South Glamorgan is a preserved county of Wales. It was originally formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, as a county council Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. West Glamorgan is a preserved county and former administrative county of Wales, one of the divisions of the ancient county of Glamorgan. Swansea ( Abertawe "mouth of the Tawe " is a city and county in Wales. I, 1831
2. ^ ^{a b} Stewart, Alexander (1828). A compendium of modern geography. Oliver & Boyde.  
3. ^ Justice in Eighteenth-Century Hackney (Process and Procedures), by Ruth Paley British History Online
4. ^ Alnwick (St. Mary and St. Michael), A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 39-44, accessed 26 January 2008.
5. ^ Morpeth (St. Mary), A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 345-350, accessed January 26 2008
6. ^ Northiam - Nortoft, A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 433-439. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51184. Date accessed: 26 January 2008.
7. ^ Somerton archaeological survey (Somerset County Council)
8. ^ ^{a b} General history of Horsham - The town as county centre, Victoria County History of Sussex, Volume VI British History Online
9. ^ Why is Trowbridge the county town of Wiltshire?. Wiltshire County Council (January 9, 2003).
10. ^ Wilson, John Marius (1872). Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales: WILTS. The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales is a substantial topographical Dictionary first published between 1870 and 1872 edited by the Reverend A. Fullarton and Co.
11. ^ Removal of County Headquarters, The Times, January 28 1958
12. ^ Frederic A. Youngs, Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol. 1: Southern England, London, 1979, p. 83
13. ^ County Hall moved to Morpeth on April 21, 1981 (see notice in London Gazette issue 48579, dated April 10, 1981)

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