There are a few little-known laws which could land you in trouble at the beach, including stealing seashells
As the summer holidays have finally arrived in the UK, and with the country on course for a potential heatwave, heading out to the beach may be on the cards. But before you head out on your beach getaway, there are some little-known laws which could land beach-goers in hot water.
Visitors lounging on the beach could face fines of up to £1,000 for simply taking seashells away from the sand. An expert from the University of Law has shared some advice for beachgoers to be aware of so they don’t find themselves in trouble.
Some of the laws may come as a complete surprise, as they concern a number of the most common seaside activities. Aruna Verma, Moorgate Campus Dean and Associate Professor at ULaw, said: “When the sun does make an appearance in the UK it can be all too easy to get carried away and forget there can be consequences.
“Of course, there are obvious repercussions for more serious crimes, however there are many lesser-known offences which could easily catch people out on their trip to the seaside.”
Here’s what you need to know – and what to avoid – to keep yourself, your family and friends out of trouble on the beach.
Don’t steal seashells
This may come as a surprise, with picking up seashells appearing as a seemingly innocent pastime. However taking seashells or pebbles home with you from the beach could see you landed with a hefty fine if you’re caught.
According to the Coast Protection Act 1949, it’s against the law to remove any natural materials from UK beaches. Although it may seem perfectly okay, and will most likely go unnoticed, if you are caught committing this offence you could be fined up to £1,000.
Hole digging and castle building
Perhaps the single most popular seaside activity of all time, it’s rare that someone will go to the beach and not be tempted to dig a hole or build a sandcastle. However, in parts of Arona and Arica in Tenerife, there’s a law against building large sandcastles on the beach.
While the punishment for breaking the large sandcastle law is unknown, eager sandcastle craftsmen will have to apply for a municipal permit before starting construction.
While some countries have strangely outlawed sandcastle building, the good news is this pastime is perfectly legal here in the UK. When it comes to digging up holes in the beach, this too is perfectly legal according to UK law.
However, it’s important to note that the UK coastguard had a huge drive last year to stress the dangers of digging large holes at the beach, as they can easily cave in and become life threatening.
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