Our top 10 weird and wonderful UK laws

In the UK, most people are aware of what they legally can, and cannot, do. However, in Britain, thanks to a few forgotten laws, there are some illegal things we may do without even knowing it!

This is a law that many wouldn't wish to hear, and some of us have already unknowingly broken, but yes it is in fact illegal to be drunk in a pub in the UK! This somewhat surprising law has been around since 1839. If you are caught drunk in a pub, highway or another public place, you could face a fine of £200!

If, on the off chance, you happen to wake up tomorrow and think it seems like a nice day to take your cow for a walk… HALT right away! It is illegal to walk a cow through the street in daylight hours, well specifically from 10 am to 7pm. 

This law was originally found in the Metropolitan Streets Act, while the Highway Act 1980 forbids leaving mud and dung from cows on the road. Allowing cows to sleep or mooch in the road could land you a fine too.

Many of us love a drive-through. They provide a convenient way to grab some fast food while out and about, without the trouble of parking and getting out of the car, and are now even easier to use now that contactless payment is an option. 

Using our mobile phones to make payments is commonplace now, and perfectly suited for paying for your drive-through order. However, when doing so, we may be breaking the law! 

If, when using your mobile to pay, your engine is running and your handbrake isn't in operation, you are technically operating a vehicle whilst using a mobile phone. This is, as we're sure you're aware, against the law in the UK. Therefore, if caught, you could receive points on your licence and be fined £200 - making that delicious takeaway that bit more expensive!

Perhaps not something you would expect to engage in during your visit to your local book hub, but gambling in a British public library is illegal under the Library Offences Act 1898  This was made illegal as it was thought it would disrupt those using the library to study or read. It is also illegal to use foul language.

So when you scroll through your phone as you take a break from skimming pages of books, do not be tempted to purchase your weekly lottery ticket or you will break the law!

The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 classified it illegal to bang or shake your rug or your carpet outdoors in the street after 8am. However, if it is just your doormat you wish to dust off, then rest assured that it is allowed before 8am.

We don't think you would be the only culprit if you admitted to a game of knockdown ginger in the UK as a kid. Or perhaps you know it better as ‘ding dong ditch' or ‘nicky nicky nine doors'? Either way, this game is in fact illegal. The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 states that it's against the law to knock on a person's front door and then run off immediately after.

If you have been invited to a fancy dress party and toyed with the idea of dressing up as a police officer, think again. According to UK law it is illegal to impersonate a police officer,  as stated in the Police Act 1996. 

Dressing up as a soldier in the armed forces is also illegal. The Seaman's and Soldier's False Character Act 1906 states that it is against the law in the UK for someone to pretend that they are in the armed forces. 

Back in 1906, the risk of fraudulent use of identification papers was higher than it is now. But it does remain against the law to dress up as a police officer or a member of the armed forces, and you could be sent to prison for breaking this UK law.

Well, salmon at least. Yes, the Salmon Act 1986 (specifically Section 32) makes “handling salmon in suspicious circumstances'' illegal. This is part of wider law that bans possessing salmon where it was taken, killed or landed illegally, and it also covers more freshwater fish, including trout, eels, smelt and lamprey.  So next time you leave your local supermarket with a fillet of salmon or some trout in your grocery bag, make sure your face has no hint of suspicion.

Queuing is a staple of life in the UK. And whilst most of us realise it is rude and frowned upon to do so, it can be quite tempting to try and push your way to the front of the line. 

Do so in London's underground stations however and you run the risk of breaking the law, as it is actually illegal to jump the queue here. This UK law was created to avoid the danger of pushing to get onto trains, as well as to avoid the frustration that can be caused when people push in queues.

We all know the UK law not to drink and drive, but did you know it is illegal to be drunk when in charge of a cow? You might think what a weird UK law this is but it does have some logic. It was created to keep people safe and try to stop accidents involving these large, somewhat powerful animals from occurring.

While these particular laws and rules may seem strange, and somewhat silly, the vast majority of laws are created with public safety in mind, to protect us from harm. Unfortunately, despite this, accidents of course do still occur. 

Thankfully, if you've been injured in an accident, for example an accident in public or an accident at work, we're here to help you get your life back. Fill in the callback form below with your contact details and a member of our friendly, helpful team will be in touch to see if you could make a compensation claim for your injuries.

^{Last updated 21.06.23}