1. Carrying a Salmon Suspiciously Is Illegal
Under the Salmon Act 1986, it is illegal to “handle salmon in suspicious circumstances.” This law was created to prevent illegal fishing, but technically, if you’re walking down the street with a salmon and acting strangely, you could be breaking the law.
2. It’s Illegal to Be Drunk in a Pub
According to the Licensing Act 1872, it is illegal to be drunk in a pub. This law, originally meant to control public drunkenness, means that technically, many pub-goers break the law every weekend.
3. It’s an Offence to Wear a Suit of Armour in Parliament
A law from 1313 states that no one may enter Parliament wearing a suit of armour. This medieval law was created to prevent violence in government debates and remains in effect today.
4. It’s Illegal to Fly a Kite in a Public Place
Under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, flying a kite in a public place is illegal if it causes annoyance to others. This means that enjoying a windy day in a park with a kite could technically land you in trouble.
5. Handling a Cow While Drunk Is Forbidden
The Licensing Act 1872 doesn’t just ban being drunk in pubs—it also makes it illegal to be in charge of a cow, horse, or steam engine while intoxicated. This law was designed to prevent accidents, but it’s amusing to think of someone drunkenly leading a cow down the street.
6. It’s Illegal to Shake a Carpet in the Street
The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 prohibits shaking or beating a carpet or rug in the street. However, you are allowed to shake a doormat—just not after 8 AM.
7. It’s an Offence to Handle a Nuclear Weapon Without Permission
Under the Nuclear Explosions Act 1998, it is illegal to cause a nuclear explosion without authorisation. While this law is obvious, it’s amusing to think about why it needed to be written down explicitly.
8. It’s Illegal to Sing Profane Songs in Public
The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 also makes it illegal to sing obscene or profane songs in the street. This means if your karaoke performance gets a bit too wild outside, you could be breaking the law.
9. It’s Illegal to Stick a Postage Stamp Upside Down on a Letter
Many believe it’s treason to place a stamp featuring the monarch’s face upside down, but in reality, this law is more of a myth than an enforced rule. However, defacing currency with the Queen or King’s image can still be considered an offence.
10. It’s an Offence Not to Report a Dead Body
Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, if you discover a dead body and fail to report it, you could be breaking the law. So, if you ever find yourself in such a situation, make sure to call the authorities!
Conclusion
From carrying fish suspiciously to getting drunk in a pub, the UK has some truly weird laws. While many of these are outdated or rarely enforced, they remain part of Britain’s legal history. Next time you fly a kite or shake a rug, be careful—you might be breaking the law!