South Midlands
South Midlands | |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Region | East Midlands(part) East of England(part) South East England(part) |
| Counties |
|
| Countiesincluded in some definitions |
|
| Time zone | UTC+0(Greenwich Mean Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1(British Summer Time) |
TheSouth Midlandsis an area ofEnglandwhich includesNorthamptonshire,the northern parts ofBuckinghamshireandOxfordshireand the western part ofBedfordshire.Unlike theEast MidlandsorWest Midlands,the South Midlands is not one of theNUTS statistical regions of the United Kingdom.
An early definition
[edit]The1851 censusdefined a South Midland division which comprisedMiddlesex(except theMetropolitanportion),Hertfordshire,Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire,Huntingdonshire,Bedfordshire andCambridgeshire.[1]
To understand why the South Midland division extends so far south, it may help to know that some 19th-century geographers defined a Central Plain consisting of the middle parts of England, lying between the valleys of theRiver Trentand theRiver Thamesto the north and south, and between theFen districtand the high ground bordering the valley of theRiver Severnto the east and west.[2]
Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth area
[edit]
In 2008, the Government referred to an area centred on theCity of Milton Keynesas theMilton Keynes and South Midlands growth area.This area comprises the whole ofBedfordshire,the whole ofNorthamptonshire,and parts ofBuckinghamshire(the City of Milton Keynes and other parts of north Buckinghamshire).[citation needed]It straddles the boundaries of other regions of England, including portions of theEast Midlands,East of EnglandandSouth East England.[3]
The main settlements areAylesbury,Milton Keynes,Northampton,Corby,Kettering,Wellingborough,Rushden,BedfordandLuton.A report in 2002 found that: "The most successful economies are those of Milton Keynes and Northampton. Bedford, Corby and theLuton/Dunstable/Houghton Regis areaare in need of regeneration. "[4]The region is served byLondon Luton Airport(the fifth busiest airport in the United Kingdom), and has important road and rail links, being served by theM1 motorwayand both theWest CoastandEast Coastmain lines, connecting it withLondon,Birminghamand thenorth of England.
Other examples
[edit]- TheCouncil for British ArchaeologySouth Midlands region covers Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire andOxfordshire.[5]
- The English Powerlifting Association South Midlands district covers the counties of Oxfordshire,Berkshire,Buckinghamshire,Hampshire,and theIsle of Wight.[6]
- ThePagan FederationSouth Midlands district covers Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.[7]
- TheSouth Midlands Leaguewas formed by football teams from Bedfordshire and some adjoining counties.
- TheSouth Midlands Korfball Associationcoverskorfballcompetitions and teams in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and theLondon Borough of Harrow.[8]
- The South Midlands Authorities covers the authorities of the Borough of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire.[9]
Gallery
[edit]-
Milton Keynes -
Northampton -
Bedford -
Aylesbury -
Luton
See also
[edit]- Historical and alternative regions of England
- Middle Anglia
- Five Boroughs of the Danelaw § The Danish burhs to the south
- Cambridge - Milton Keynes - Oxford corridor
- North Midlands
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
References
[edit]- ^Map of the South Midlands Counties.
- ^W. Hughes,Manual of British Geography,1851,page 15.
- ^Milton Keynes South MidlandsArchived1 August 2008 at theWayback Machine.
- ^Roger Tym and Partners,Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study: Final Report of the Study,Chapter 8: ConclusionsArchived14 October 2006 at theWayback Machine.
- ^Council for British Archaeology South Midlands Region.
- ^Divisions of the English Powerlifting Association
- ^The Pagan Federation,South Midlands.
- ^"Area Associations – England Korfball".
- ^Hutson, Rebecca (30 July 2024)."South Midlands Authorities launched to unite region and drive economic growth".Northampton Chronicle and Echo.Retrieved30 July2024.