Greater London
The Formation of Greater London
The concept of Greater London as a single administrative unit was formalised in 1965 with the creation of the Greater London Council (GLC), although discussions about coordinating London's governance go back much further. The GLC replaced earlier, smaller county structures and brought together areas from the historic counties of Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Essex, and Hertfordshire to create a unified metropolitan government.Since its formation, the boundaries of Greater London have remained broadly consistent. There have been only minor administrative changes over time - mainly in terms of borough boundaries - but the geographic extent has remained steady.
Pre-1965 Administration of What Is Now Greater London
1. Inner London
Much of Inner London was already part of the County of London, which was established in 1889. The County of London included areas like Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, and parts of Hackney and Islington. It was governed by the London County Council (LCC), which was the main precursor to the GLC.2. Outer London
Outer London, on the other hand, consisted of suburbs and towns that fell within the surrounding Home Counties. These areas were governed either by municipal boroughs, urban districts, or rural districts, under the jurisdiction of their respective county councils. The main counties that lost land to form Greater London were:- Middlesex – Almost entirely absorbed into Greater London. Middlesex ceased to exist as an administrative county in 1965. Boroughs like Enfield, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Hounslow were previously part of Middlesex.
- Surrey – Parts of northern Surrey, such as Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Sutton, and Merton, were incorporated into Greater London. The remainder of Surrey continues to exist as a county today.
- Kent – Eastern districts such as Bexley and Bromley were taken from Kent and brought into Greater London.
- Essex – Boroughs like Redbridge, Havering, and Barking & Dagenham were formerly part of Essex.
- Hertfordshire – Some areas such as Barnet were transferred from Hertfordshire to the new Greater London area.
Were These Counties Completely Absorbed?
No, the counties were not completely absorbed—only parts of them were incorporated into Greater London. Here's what happened:Middlesex was the only county that was effectively abolished as a result. Most of its territory became part of Greater London, while small remaining parts were transferred to Surrey and Hertfordshire.
The other counties—Surrey, Kent, Essex, and Hertfordshire—lost significant areas to London but continue to exist as administrative and ceremonial counties today.
Why Was Greater London Created?
The creation of Greater London and the GLC aimed to bring coherent governance to an urban region that had sprawled well beyond the boundaries of the old County of London. By the mid-20th century, London had grown into a vast conurbation, but its government remained fragmented among dozens of councils with differing priorities and resources.The Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London (1957–1960) proposed the new boundaries and administrative structure, which led to the London Government Act 1963 and the formation of Greater London in 1965.
Area and Size of Greater London
Greater London spans an area of approximately 1,572 square kilometres (or 607 square miles). This makes it one of the most extensive city regions in Europe.It is important to note that Greater London is not the same as the London metropolitan area. The metropolitan area extends even further beyond Greater London into the surrounding counties, including parts of Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Berkshire, and Surrey. While Greater London is an official administrative region, the metropolitan area is defined by broader socio-economic and commuting patterns.
Population of Greater London
As of the most recent estimates, Greater London has a population of around 9 million people. This makes it the most populous region in the United Kingdom by far.The population has seen significant growth over the past two decades due to domestic migration, international immigration, and a relatively high birth rate. London remains a global magnet for people seeking education, employment, and cultural opportunities.
Inner and Outer London
Greater London is divided into two main sub-regions: Inner London and Outer London. These divisions are used for both administrative and statistical purposes and reflect historical development patterns.- Inner London comprises the central part of the city, traditionally more densely populated and urbanised.
- Outer London covers the suburbs and peripheral boroughs, often more residential and less densely populated.
Boroughs of Inner and Outer London
Greater London consists of 32 London boroughs plus the ancient and separate City of London. Here's how they are grouped:Inner London Boroughs:
- Camden
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Islington
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets
- Wandsworth
- Westminster
Outer London Boroughs:
- Barking and Dagenham
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Brent
- Bromley
- Croydon
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Kingston upon Thames
- Merton
- Newham
- Redbridge
- Richmond upon Thames
- Sutton
- Waltham Forest
Is Inner London the same area as Central London?
While Inner London and Central London sound similar and do overlap, they are not the same - they refer to different concepts and areas.Central London
- A functional and unofficial term typically used to refer to the core of the city where government, commerce, tourism, and cultural institutions are concentrated.
- Most commonly defined by the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) for planning purposes.
- Includes parts of multiple boroughs (such as Westminster, Camden, Southwark, etc.), but does not correspond to any administrative boundary.
- Its boundaries can be flexible depending on context (e.g. transport, tourism, business).
Inner London
- A more official and statistical designation, defined for administrative and economic purposes.
- Comprises 12 boroughs plus the City of London:
- Camden
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Islington
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets
- Wandsworth
- Westminster
- City of London
- Used by the Office for National Statistics, funding bodies, and government for things like population counts, deprivation indexes, and tax bases.
Key Differences
- Inner London is a broader, official zone used for statistical purposes.
- Central London is a smaller, functional core, often referring to areas within the Central Activities Zone.
Do Boroughs Correspond with Travelcard Zones?
While there is some correlation between Inner London boroughs and the central Travelcard Zones (1 and 2), the two systems are not directly aligned. Travelcard Zones are concentric pricing zones for public transport fares, while borough boundaries are administrative. For example:- Camden and Westminster are firmly within Zone 1.
- Some parts of boroughs like Tower Hamlets and Southwark straddle Zones 1 and 2.
- Outer London boroughs typically start from Zone 3 outward, with places like Croydon or Enfield reaching Zones 5 and 6.
Inner London Population as a Share of Greater London
Inner London has a population of around 3.5 million people, which is approximately 39% of the total population of Greater London. The remaining 61% resides in the Outer London boroughs.Despite having a smaller area than Outer London, Inner London has a much higher population density and is home to many of London's most iconic landmarks, government buildings, and financial districts.
Fun Facts About Greater London
- Greater London has more than 8 million trees - almost one for every resident - making it one of the greenest major cities in the world.
- The River Thames, which flows through Greater London, is tide-affected up to Teddington Lock, giving parts of the city a subtly changing waterfront.
- Greater London has over 300 languages spoken, making it one of the most linguistically diverse areas on Earth.
- The city hosted the Olympic Games three times: in 1908, 1948, and 2012 - the only city to have done so.
Conclusion
Greater London is not just a capital - it is a vast and dynamic region that encompasses centuries of history, incredible diversity, and a complex urban structure. Understanding its boundaries, boroughs, and demographics helps reveal the depth and variety that make London a city like no other. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, there's always more to explore in every corner of Greater London.Quick Facts about Greater London
| Official Name | Greater London |
| Created | 1965 |
| Area | 1,572 km² (607 sq mi) |
| Population | Approximately 9 million |
| Inner London Population | ~3.5 million (39%) |
| Outer London Population | ~5.5 million (61%) |
| No. of Boroughs | 32 boroughs + City of London |
| Notable Feature | Over 8 million trees - almost one per resident! |
| Languages Spoken | Over 300 |
| Olympic Host | 1908, 1948, 2012 |
Map of Greater London
Painting of Greater London (View image in full size)
