This might sound like an odd question, and on Yorkshire Day I can hear many people screaming of courses it’s a county, why else would we have our own day?
As a Southerner now having adopted Yorkshire as my home, it’s not that simple, which is why I set about trying to answer this question by Googling that very question… the result?
There isn’t a clear answer. You see administratively, Yorkshire as a county in its own right no longer exists. Instead it is made up of four different counties – West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. It was divided up in 1974 to make it easier to administer, but historically there have been divisions spanning centuries and the borders have changed.
However, ask anybody from Yorkshire and they will tell you categorically that Yorkshire is a county in its own right, afterall, there is a Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Yorkshire Tea and many other brands that define themselves as from Yorkshire rather than specifying any administrative region.
If we look at it purely in terms of administration then, for the purposes of government it is a region made up of four distinct counties.
However, what really defines a county? If it’s that it creates a sense of belonging and identity, one of which its people are hugely proud and that has common identifiable traits including a rich industrial heritage, beautiful country side and people known for their openness and friendly nature then yes.
What do you think defines Yorkshire? Let us know on our socials.