This is a list of non-metropolitan counties of England by area. It includes those non-metropolitan counties (also known as shire counties) with a two-tier county council structure and does not include metropolitan counties or unitary authorities. In cases where a unitary authority has been detached from a shire county the area of the unitary authority is excluded. For example, the area of Luton is excluded from the area for Bedfordshire. Source: [wikipedia: list of non-metropolitan counties of england by area]