The British League was the top-flight ice hockey league in the United Kingdom from 1982 until 1996,[1] when it was replaced by the Ice Hockey Superleague and the British National League.

The league changed format several times.

The top level was originally split into three regional sections and combined as the Premier Division in 1983.

In 1996 a major reorganization of the league structure led the two remaining divisions to split into different leagues; resulting in the dissolution of the British Hockey League and the creation of the Ice Hockey Superleague to replace the premier division, and the British National League to replace division 1, respectively.

Durham Wasps and Whitley Warriors were the only two teams to consistently feature in the top division of the BHL throughout the duration of the league's history.