| Cricket format | First-class cricket (3 days) |
|---|---|
| Tournament format(s) | League system |
| Champions | Lancashire (1st title) |
| Participants | 14 |
| Matches | 132 |
| Most runs | Bobby Abel (1,833 for Surrey) |
| Most wickets | Tom Richardson (238 for Surrey) |
The 1897 County Championship was the eighth officially organised running of the County Championship, and ran from 3 May to 30 August 1897. Lancashire County Cricket Club won the championship for the first time, narrowly beating Surrey.