Originally intended to diplace 10,000 tons standard, these cruisers differed considerably from the Southhampton type. The 6 inch triple turrets allowed 45 degree elevation and ramming was by hand, but the endless chain shell and cordite hoists were direct to the gunhouse with no break at the working chamber. The after turrets were raised, with 'Y' at forecastle deck level. The shell rooms for the 6 inch were above the magazines so that their crowns were formed by the lower deck and all the ring bulkheads extended to this level.

Unfortuanatly although th AA armament was increased, the 4 icnh magazines were well forward of the guns and ammunition supply was unsatisfactory. There was an athwartships catapult and hanger abaft the bridge. Box protection to ammunition spaces was given up in this class, and replaced by extending the belt fore and aft. Horizontal protection was 3 inch over ammunition spaces, 2 inchs over the machinery which was further aft than in Southamton, and 2 in - 1.5 inch over the stearing gear. Tactical diameter was 640yds at 12 kts.

Consideration was given to arming this class (or the next large cruisers, which were abandoned under the revised treaty limit of 8000 tons) with power loaded quadruple 6 inch turrets with the shell and charge rammed in one operation, but design work was suspended in January 1937.