List of towns in England facts for kids
This is a list of towns in England.
Historically, towns were any settlement with a charter, including market towns and ancient boroughs. The process of incorporation was reformed in 1835 and many more places received borough charters, whilst others were lost. All existing boroughs were abolished on 1 April 1974 and borough status was reformed as a civic honour for local government districts. At the same time a limited number of former boroughs and other settlements became successor parishes, with the right to be known as a town and preserve their charter. Boroughs that did not become successor parishes formed unparished areas, but were able to preserve their charters without a corporate body by appointing charter trustees. Since 1 April 1974 any parish council in England has the right to resolve to call itself a town council and many communities have taken up this right, including areas that preserved continuity with charter trustees. However, no successor parishes have exercised this right (e.g. Ilkley).
This list does not include cities in England.
Designated new towns
Town | Ceremonial county | Status |
---|---|---|
Basildon | Essex | new town (designated 1949) |
Bracknell | Berkshire | new town (designated 1949) |
Milton Keynes | Buckinghamshire | new town (designated 1967) |
Redditch | Worcestershire | new town (designated 1964) |
Telford | Shropshire | new town (designated 1968) |
Washington | Tyne and Wear | new town (designated 1964) |
Welwyn Garden City | Hertfordshire | new town (designated 1948) |
- 1 Successor parish under the Local Government Act 1972
- 2 Rochester has held city status, but does not currently