The debate over where the boundary between North England and South England lies is a topic that never fails to ignite passionate discussions among Brits.
Few people can agree on the exact location of this north-south divide. However, one northerner, Alex from Preston, has created a map so precise that many believe he’s nearly nailed it. Alex frequently posts videos on TikTok, showcasing British culture to his American girlfriend, Tay.
In recent videos, he taught her how to prepare “proper beans on toast” and introduced her to some northern slang words. Tay reciprocated by inviting Alex to experience his first-ever Thanksgiving meal.
As part of her ongoing education about Britain, Tay asked Alex to explain the concept of the north-south divide. Alex began by highlighting Lancashire, his home county, which he described as “obviously northern” due to its “decent bants” and being “sound as f**k”.
Using this as his northern benchmark, he identified all areas further north than Lancashire, including Northumberland, Carlisle, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, Cumbria, East Riding of Yorkshire, York, West Yorkshire and York. He also included Greater Manchester, stating that “all Mancs are northern”, along with Liverpool, the Mirror reports.
He added: “All Scousers are, well Scousers are Scousers, but they’re also northern.” Chester was deemed “just about” northern, but he noted: “If you’re from Cheshire you’re posh as f**k.”
When he moved to Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Lincolnshire, Alex was uncertain if they should be considered part of the north, hence he placed question marks next to them. Ultimately, Alex chose to draw the line for the north-south divide just above these areas, remarking, “I don’t go to these gaffes”.
Alex, from Preston
Alex has his own take on the geography of England; he considers Birmingham, Leicestershire, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, and Northampton as the Midlands, thus not northern. He even circled Norfolk, commenting in a Brummie accent, “It’s not northern that”.
He then pointed out that when people start sounding ‘posh’, as they do in places like Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, and Buckinghamshire, it feels like the south to him. Alex drew the southern boundary line just below Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.
He mentioned that the only southern places he’s visited are London, and Devon and Cornwall, which he jokingly referred to as “basically France”. For counties such as Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, Alex admitted he’d “only heard of because of cricket”, describing them as “posh” with “more money and better jobs”.
Alex’s map garnered admiration from many, with one individual declaring: “Most accurate north/south divide one has ever seen. Anyone who says differently is probably southern.”
Another concurred, adding: “Finally someone recognises midlands isn’t either! But I do believe we have more in common with north.”
A third person chimed in: “Basically bang on, but I’d argue specifically Norfolk and Cambridgeshire are south, the line should veer northwards to exclude from from midlands.”
Another commented: “As a Preston las myself, I completely agree. Someone from Newcastle called me a southerner the other day??” One person simply stated: “He’s completely right.”
However, the statement understandably sparked outrage in some individuals. “Oi! Warwickshire is Midlands for sure,” one person argued.
A Norfolk resident countered: “As someone from Norfolk we certainly aren’t in the midlands. We’re East Anglia,” A Londoner weighed in, saying: “From an actual southerner (London), anywhere north of Watford is the north.”
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