Is Greater London In South East

[eve1974]

I always thought Greater London was in south east England but...

Now I’m not so sure as Greater London seems to be excluded on maps of south east England.


I’m looking for the LEGAL definition of if greater London is ... south east of or is separate

[JimF]

Greater London differs according to definition. Some say it is only the London postcodes: N, S, W, E, WC, EC etc. Others say it's the confines of the London Orbital or even the M25.

[Zacs-Master]

Geographically or politically?

[woofgang]

I don't think there is a legal definition.....I mean why would there be?

[eve1974]

Yes JimF that’s true ... and part of why I’m so confused. Is Greater London (wherever

[JimF]

https://www.definitions.net/definition/GREATER+LONDON

[ichkeria]

Do you mean is Greater London in the south east of England (yes obviously) or does the south east of England include a place called Greater London - the answer to that also surely is “yes”

[Prudie]

The phrase that comes to my mind is 'London and the South-East' which implies they are separate.

[eve1974]

pressed answer before I was finished.

JimF yes it’s confusing and the more I look online the more confused I get.

Seems that Greater London (whichever boundaries people decide on) is separate to south east of England ?


Zacs - geographically

Wolfgang - i presumed needs to be a legal definition Cos surely each “area” of U.K. must be defined in some statute book somewhere?

[JimF]

I don't believe I've ever seen a road sign indicating the way to "Greater" London, though. Plenty for "Central" London as the motorways draw closer to the capital, and all round the London Orbital.

[Zacs-Master]

Geographically, yes.

[eve1974]

Prudie that is a very good point! Hmmm...

All these years I just presumed London was part of south east but .... maybe not?

[Zacs-Master]

I’m not sure why an area needs to be defined.

[JimF]

(Greater) London is in the South-East of England - where else would it be?

[237SJ]

Greater London is a generic term. It encompases Surrey, Middlesex etc

[eve1974]

Ichkeria up until recently I thought same but if you google what are the south east counties London is not included. Furthermore google maps exclude Greater London in the “south east” highlighted areas

[jno]

it depends who you ask. Geographically, yes, that's where it is. But a guide book, for instance, may well list them as separate. I don't know of any legal definition of the south-east.

This considers some of the options (and also see the comments at the end)

https://londonist.com/2013/05/what-counts-as-london

[237SJ]

If the phone number is 020 8 then it's Greater London (I think there is sure to be a pedant who will tell me that I`m wrong though)

[Zacs-Master]

London isn’t a county. Why would it be in a list or map of SE counties?

[gingejbee]

Greater London may well be separated from the rest of the South-East on maps and in road atlases etc because it is usually shown in greater detail ie in a larger scale.

[237SJ]

I live in Greater London and I live in a county (Middlesex). My town used to be in Surrey but the boundaries changed. Greater London has quite an interesting history as far a boundary changes are concerned. It depends in what capacity you are talking about.