Leicestershire

Lore & Background

Leicestershire's external boundaries have changed little since the Domesday Survey, though minor exchanges occurred, such as the Measham-Donisthorpe exclave for the Netherseal area. In 1974, the Local Government Act 1972 abolished the county borough status of Leicester and the county status of Rutland, making them districts of Leicestershire, but both became unitary authorities again on 1 April 1997, with Rutland regaining ceremonial county status.

Reader's Guide

Leicestershire's significance lies in its role as the traditional birthplace of modern fox hunting, associated with Hugo Meynell, who lived in Quorn and is called the 'father of modern fox-hunting'. The county's symbol—a fox—appears on the flag of Leicestershire, made official in July 2021, the last flag registered for an historic county of England. During the Industrial Revolution, the Leicestershire coalfield was exploited, and Leicester became known for shoemaking; manufacturing continues in Leicester and Loughborough. The county is also known for Stilton cheese and Melton Mowbray pork pies. The geographical centre of England is in Leicestershire, near Fenny Drayton, as calculated by the Ordnance Survey in 2013.

Did You Know?

• The geographical centre of England is in Leicestershire, near Fenny Drayton, calculated by the Ordnance Survey in 2013.
• The flag of Leicestershire, featuring a fox under a heraldic cinquefoil, was made official in July 2021.