Some of the weird British laws still in effect today include a ban on carrying planks of wood along pavements—unless you’re unloading them from a vehicle. Oddly enough, it’s illegal to fly a kite in public places or to gamble in libraries. You might be surprised to learn it’s also against the law to be drunk in a pub or any licensed venue, and walking cows during daylight hours is prohibited. Other bizarre regulations include the rule that beached whales or sturgeons must be offered to the monarch, and it’s a criminal offence to impersonate a police officer or member of the armed forces.
As someone who loves curious facts and quirky history, I went deep into some of the UK’s weirdest laws still in effect. Some are just outdated, some have funny backstories, and others leave you wondering why they haven’t been deleted yet.
Let’s dive into 10 of the strangest laws in the UK — and why they still matter (or don’t).
According to the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, it’s illegal to carry a plank, pole, ladder, or similar long object on a public pavement. The idea was to prevent people from blocking walkways or accidentally hitting someone with a wooden beam. Unless you’re moving it from a vehicle to a nearby spot, this could get you in legal hot water.
It’s not exactly something the average person worries about today, but the law still exists. It’s a fun reminder of how detailed and oddly specific some old rules were.
You’d think flying a kite would be the picture of innocent fun, right? Not under the same 1839 law. In public places, flying a kite is forbidden if it causes “annoyance or obstruction.”
While enforcement is rare, it technically means you could get in trouble for enjoying a breezy day in the park with your kite. Probably best to keep your kite-flying lowkey just in case.
Under the Library Offences Act 1898, gambling in a public library is a no-go. This law was put in place to keep public spaces quiet, respectful, and suitable for reading or studying.
The same act also bans using offensive language or being drunk inside a library. So if you’re thinking of holding a poker night between the bookshelves — think again.
This one surprises a lot of people. The Licensing Act of 1872 says it’s illegal to be drunk on licensed premises — meaning pubs, bars, or anywhere alcohol is sold.
That’s right: getting drunk in the place where people usually drink alcohol can technically break the law. Of course, enforcement usually only happens if someone’s causing a problem. But still, it’s an amusing contradiction.
Under the Metropolitan Streets Act 1867, it’s illegal to walk cattle through the streets of London between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. This was meant to prevent traffic chaos and animal mess in crowded city areas.
You probably won’t see too many people walking cows through central London these days, but if they did — they’d be breaking the law.
This one dates way back to a law from 1324, during King Edward II’s reign. It states that any whale or sturgeon found on the UK’s shores belongs to the monarch. These creatures are known as “royal fish.”
So if you ever find a beached whale or sturgeon on your next beach walk, you’re legally supposed to inform the King.
Under the Seamen’s and Soldiers’ False Characters Act 1906 (and later laws), it’s illegal to impersonate a police officer or member of the armed forces. This includes wearing a uniform in public if it could mislead others.
It makes sense for safety and fraud reasons. But it also means your police costume might be better left for private parties — not Halloween on the street.
Another odd law from the Metropolitan Police Act: you’re not allowed to shake or beat a rug, mat, or carpet in the street after 8 a.m. Back in the day, it was all about keeping the streets clean.
You can still clean your rug — just don’t do it outside unless it’s before 8 in the morning. Even then, be careful not to block the walkway.
The Salmon Act 1986 includes a section that makes it illegal to “handle salmon in suspicious circumstances.” This law was created to prevent poaching and illegal fish sales.
Though the wording sounds like a comedy skit, it’s a real law and can still be enforced. So if you find a salmon on the sidewalk and don’t have a good reason for it — you might want to put it back.
In some parts of the UK, old local laws make it illegal to string clotheslines across public streets. This rule, like many others, dates back to the Victorian era.
It was about keeping the view tidy and avoiding clotheslines becoming hazards. Today, it’s rarely enforced, but technically still part of some local bylaws.
The UK’s legal system is full of laws that date back hundreds of years. Some have been updated or removed, but others still sit quietly in legal books, forgotten and unenforced.
Getting rid of an old law isn’t always easy. It often takes time, money, and attention and lawmakers usually focus on more current issues. So quirky, outdated laws tend to stay unless they cause a real problem.
Are These Laws Actually Used?
Most of these are not actively enforced. Laws like impersonating a police officer or being drunk and disorderly in a pub can be used if needed. But many like the plank rule or kite-flying law are mostly ignored.
Still, there have been rare cases where people have been fined or warned for breaking lesser-known laws. So even if the rules sound silly, they’re still technically the law.
Comparing the UK With Other Countries
The UK has some odd rules that don’t exist in many other places:
The UK isn’t alone in having weird laws. For example:
So while British laws are strange, they’re not the only odd ones out there.
Britain’s quirky laws remind us how much history is packed into everyday life. While most of these laws are rarely enforced, they highlight the way societies used to function — and how much has changed.
Next time you’re out and about, think twice before flying a kite or carrying a long stick down the street. You might just be bending a law you never knew existed.
If you enjoyed this list, check out Britannia Blog for more fun facts, travel tips, and strange stories from across the UK!
What are some weird UK laws?
Some of the weirdest include bans on flying kites in public, carrying planks on pavements, handling salmon suspiciously, and gambling in libraries.
What is the weird fish law in the UK?
The Salmon Act 1986 makes it illegal to handle salmon in suspicious circumstances, to combat fish poaching and illegal sales.
Is it illegal to gamble in a library in the UK?
Yes. Under the Library Offences Act 1898, gambling in public libraries is illegal, along with being drunk or using offensive language.
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