Which County Does London Belong To?

By Robert Palmer

London is a city that has a rich history and is often regarded as one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world. However, there is often confusion when it comes to which county London belongs to. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question.

Which County Does London Belong To?

The short answer to this question is that London does not belong to any county. Yes, you read it right!

London has been considered a separate entity ever since the Greater London Council was abolished in 1986. Since then, London has been governed by the Greater London Authority (GLA), which is responsible for various aspects of the city such as transport, policing, and planning.

This means that unlike other cities in the UK such as Manchester or Birmingham, which belong to counties like Greater Manchester or West Midlands respectively, London stands alone as a distinct administrative region.

History of London’s County Status

London was originally part of Middlesex county until 1889 when it became a separate county known as County of London. The County of London was further divided into smaller boroughs in 1965, which were later combined with neighbouring counties to form Greater London.

The creation of Greater London was intended to provide a more unified approach towards governance and administration while also ensuring that some of the surrounding areas could benefit from being part of one larger metropolitan area.

What Does This Mean for Residents and Visitors?

As mentioned earlier, since there is no county council governing London anymore, residents and visitors have to deal with different authorities for various services. For example, Transport for London (TfL) manages public transport within the city while local councils are responsible for areas such as waste collection and housing.

This can sometimes lead to confusion among visitors who may not be aware of who exactly they need to approach for different services. However, with information easily available online, it is not difficult to navigate through the various authorities and find what you need.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, London is a city that does not belong to any county. It has its own governing body in the form of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and is responsible for its own administration. While this may seem confusing at first, it is important to understand that this unique status has allowed London to become the global city it is today.