Britain has a long and often eccentric legal history, filled with laws that range from the oddly specific to the downright peculiar. While many of these strange statutes were repealed years ago, a surprising number remain in force ‘technically’ today.
From witches to salmon, and even enforced archery, the scope of these unusual regulations is broad and often bizarre.
So, in no particular order, here are some of the strangest laws ever to appear on the British statute books…
1. “It is illegal to handle salmon in ‘suspicious’ circumstances.”
Although this may sound ridiculous it is actually a real law, enacted by Parliament as recently as 1986, in section 32 of the Salmon Act. The purpose of this law was to try and crack down on illegal fishing/poaching and to protect the salmon population from decreasing.
So, what does this law really mean?
Well, it’s not about looking suspicious, but it is rather about possessing salmon under suspicious circumstances. For example, if you were to buy a salmon on the street, with no proof of the salmon’s origin and/or handle salmon you reasonably believe was poached (of the stolen variety, not in a nice hollandaise sauce!). In which case, you may be hit with a penalty fine depending on the circumstances.
If it was a small quantity of fish, or a first time or accidental offence, you might be let off. However, if a defendant has repeated this crime, with the explicit intention of acquiring the salmon by nefarious means, then they may be prosecuted in magistrates court or crown court, with a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Although this law is very rarely used, it is still in force to this day, and you could still be prosecuted for looking ‘fishy’.
2. Mandatory longbow shooting for all Englishmen on Sundays
Imagine being fined for not practising archery on your day off. Well, in 16th century Tudor England this was a distinct possibility. This was due to a law passed in 1541, under the Unlawful Games Act, making it compulsory for Englishmen to practice archery after church on Sunday. This law stated that all able bodied Englishmen were required to own a longbow and that householders must ensure that their servants would also compete in these practices.
So, why was this law passed?
Although there has been the assumption that the law was designed to instil discipline in England’s male population it was in fact passed due to England having no full time army at the time. Instead, it depended on ordinary people to fight when called upon. As such, the Unlawful Games Act requirements would mean that they had the skills required in case they were called upon to fight.
Interestingly, this law remained in place until 1960, when National Service itself was also abolished, thanks to advancing military technology.
Looking back, this law shows us how seriously England once took archery as an essential part of its survival.
3. It is Illegal to carry a plank of wood in the street
It might sound bizarre, but in certain parts of the UK, you could technically be breaking the law just by walking down the street with a piece of wood. This unusual law comes from section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. Its main purpose is to maintain public safety, and to avoid injuries or accidents.
So, what does this law actually mean?
Well, this law does not ban carrying a plank of wood completely. It is essentially a health and safety warning to stop you causing an obstruction or accident in public.
Although this law still technically exists today, it is rarely enforced and is mostly used in extreme cases. So, next time you are tempted to carry a plank of wood down the street, maybe think twice, since you might be breaking a two hundred year old law!
4. It is illegal to pretend to be a witch
Believe it or not, there was once a law that did not punish people for being witches but instead punished them for pretending to cast spells. This rather strange law comes from the Witchcraft Act of 1735. The act was predominantly passed to prevent fraud and deception of the general public, and to promote rational thinking.
Although the Witchcraft Act was repealed in 1951, and replaced with the Fraudulent Mediums Act, it was still used as recently as the 20th century. In 1944, Helen Duncan was prosecuted under the Witchcraft Act, for claiming that she could contact the dead and hold seances. This case had a major significance, as it showed just how outdated the law was. By 1944, most people no longer believed in witches or magic, yet Helen Duncan was still prosecuted under a law written in the 1700s.
Thanks to this prosecution, we saw a major change in the law with the introduction of the Fraudulent Mediums Act. So, although this law did not catch any real life Elphabas, it did play an important role in reflecting societies shift from superstition to scepticism and marked a turning point in how the law dealt with deception rather than belief.
5. It is illegal to be drunk in a pub
It might sound ironic, but in the UK, being drunk in a pub – the very place designed for drinking – is technically against the law. This obscure law comes from Section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872.
So, why does this law exist?
Well, the rationale for this law lies in protecting public safety, by attempting to prevent disorderly behaviour not only in pubs but also in licensed buildings. It also encourages people to drink more responsibly.
When the law was originally introduced, it was designed to hold pubs accountable and to prevent people from becoming too intoxicated in public spaces. The Licensing Act 2003 goes a step further and states that it is an offense for a publican to continue to serve someone who appears drunk.
Although the Licensing Act 1872 is rarely enforced and is mainly used when someone is becoming aggressive or dangerous, it is still in place in the UK today. While it may seem strange, the law against being drunk in a pub serves a clear role in maintaining public order and responsible drinking. After all, the law is there to protect everyone’s safety, regardless of whether they are carrying salmon or not!
Josh Masson is a freelance writer and A-level law student with an interest in history, politics and the UK’s weird and wonderful legislature!
Published: 20th June 2025.
