1. It’s Illegal to Wear Armor in Parliament
One of the most peculiar strange laws UK historians often cite is the Statute Forbidding Bearing of Armour 1313. This law makes it illegal to wear a suit of armor in the Houses of Parliament. While originally intended to prevent armed threats in royal courts, it technically remains valid today.
2. You Can’t Handle Salmon Suspiciously
Under the Salmon Act 1986, it’s illegal to handle salmon in suspicious circumstances. While it sounds comical, the law is actually meant to tackle the illegal salmon trade. But the wording leaves plenty of room for imagination.
3. Knocking on a Door and Running Away is Technically Illegal
Also known as “knock knock ginger,” this childhood prank could result in a fine under the 1839 law from the Metropolitan Police Act. It states that knocking on doors with intent to cause annoyance is against the law.
4. No Public Drunkenness in a Pub
It may sound ironic, but under the Licensing Act 1872, it’s illegal to be drunk in a licensed premises. This law was intended to control public disorder but seems quite contradictory today.
5. Cleaning a Doormat After 8 a.m. Might Get You Fined
Another oddity from the Metropolitan Police Act 1839: it’s illegal to beat or shake a carpet, rug, or doormat in the street after 8 a.m. You can shake them before that time—just not afterward.
6. It’s Illegal to Slide on Ice in the Streets
Sliding on icy pavements for fun? You could be fined under another part of the 1839 Metropolitan Police Act, which criminalizes sliding on ice in public places, as it can “annoy” pedestrians.
7. No Handling Cows While Drunk
The Licensing Act 1872 strikes again—making it illegal not only to be drunk in a pub but also while in charge of a cow, horse, or steam engine. That’s one way to avoid animal-related accidents.
8. You Can’t Hang Clothes Across the Street
In certain boroughs, it’s technically illegal to hang clothes or bedding across the street on a line. These local council laws aim to preserve public cleanliness and visual aesthetics.
9. It’s Illegal to Fly a Kite in a Public Place
Another old law from the 1839 Act, flying a kite in a public place with the potential to “annoy” passersby is technically against the law. You may want to stick to parks for kite flying.
10. Keeping a Pet Pig Named Napoleon
This oddity stems from the now-disbanded Animal Farm-related censorship practices. While not a current law, it was once illegal to name a pig Napoleon in honor of Orwell’s anti-authoritarian message.
11. No Picking Up Seaweed on the Beach
Believe it or not, collecting seaweed from a beach without the local council’s permission is illegal in many coastal regions. This law helps protect coastal ecosystems and public cleanliness.
12. Taxi Drivers Must Carry Hay for Horses
An old but never-repealed law from the Hackney Carriage Act once required taxi drivers to carry hay and oats for horses. While obviously outdated, it’s technically still on the books.
13. Don’t Shake Your Rug Out the Window
Shaking a rug or mat out of your window could violate the Public Health Act. It’s considered a public nuisance, particularly in densely populated areas.
14. You Can’t Play Knock-Down-Ginger or Ring-and-Run
Already mentioned in another context, this prank also falls under anti-harassment laws today. It’s considered a form of antisocial behavior, especially when done repeatedly.
15. Don’t Handle Explosive Substances… Obviously
This might not seem so “strange,” but the Explosive Substances Act 1883 makes it a serious crime to be in possession of explosives without lawful purpose—yet its extremely broad language sometimes gets cited in odd cases.
16. No Piggyback Rides in Certain Areas
Local bylaws in parts of the UK prohibit piggyback rides on certain streets or in certain parks. These are often passed in response to rowdy behavior from students or youth gatherings.
17. It’s Illegal to be Found Drunk in Charge of a Child
Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, it’s illegal for someone to be drunk while in charge of a child under the age of seven. This law is more serious than strange, but it’s one many don’t know about.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are these strange laws UK-wide or local?
Many of these laws apply across the UK, but some are local council bylaws specific to certain regions or boroughs.
2. Can you really get arrested for flying a kite?
While technically against the law in some areas, enforcement is rare unless it causes disruption or danger.
3. Why hasn’t Parliament repealed these old laws?
Many outdated laws remain because there’s little political motivation or public demand to repeal them.
4. Can you actually be fined for handling salmon suspiciously?
Yes, under the Salmon Act 1986, it’s possible—though modern use of the law is aimed at illegal fishing activities.
5. What’s the strangest of all these laws?
Arguably, the law requiring taxi drivers to carry hay for horses tops the list due to how obsolete it is.
6. Are kids still getting in trouble for “knock knock ginger”?
Yes, in some cases. Repeated door knocking that causes distress may fall under harassment or antisocial behavior laws.
Conclusion
While many of these strange laws UK citizens often laugh about are relics from centuries past, they still technically exist today. Though enforcement is uncommon, knowing these quirky regulations can be both amusing and informative. They reveal how deeply rooted and occasionally bizarre the UK’s legal history can be. So next time you’re tempted to fly a kite in the street or sneak a piggyback ride in a public park, you might just be breaking the law—at least on paper.
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