Many were introduced decades ago to regulate parks, commons and public behaviour, while others date back to Victorian ideas of public order and recreation.
Although most are rarely enforced, they are still legally active and could, in theory, lead to fines or removal from public spaces.
From bans on goats in parks to restrictions on model boats and frozen ponds, here are some of the strangest rules still on the books across south-east London.
Bromley
In the London Borough of Bromley, even flying a toy aircraft comes with a surprisingly long list of conditions.
The borough’s park byelaws prohibit people from flying power-driven model aircraft in most pleasure grounds unless they are in a specifically designated area.
Even in approved locations such as Norman Park and Goddington Park, the aircraft must be attached to a control line, fitted with an effective silencer, and only operated during restricted hours.
The same byelaws also ban people from bringing goats, sheep, pigs or cattle into parks without permission from the council.
While it sounds like a rule from another century, it still formally applies across Bromley’s public green spaces today.
Another unusually specific rule applies at Magpie Hall Lane Golf Course, where players can be required to produce proof that they are authorised to play if asked by a council officer.
Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley has some of the strictest rules in south-east London when it comes to metal detecting.
Council byelaws prohibit the use of any device designed to detect metal or minerals in dozens of parks and open spaces across the borough.
The restrictions apply to locations including Foots Cray Gardens, Chalk Wood and Erith Stadium, among many others.
The council has also warned that removing found objects without permission may itself amount to an offence.
There are also detailed restrictions on radio-controlled model boats.
Powered or radio-controlled boats are only allowed in designated lakes during limited weekend hours, usually between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Outside those times, formal council permission is required.
Like other boroughs, Bexley also bans adults over the age of 14 from using children’s playgrounds unless accompanying a child.
The borough’s park byelaws additionally prohibit people from bringing poultry into parks, alongside cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
Lewisham
In the London Borough of Lewisham, one of the most unusual byelaws makes it illegal to stand on frozen water in public parks.
The rule specifically states that no person may “step onto or otherwise place their weight upon any frozen waterway”.
While clearly introduced for safety reasons, it means even briefly walking onto a frozen pond is technically prohibited.
Lewisham also has unusually strict rules surrounding cricket.
The borough’s byelaws specifically prohibit people from striking or throwing a cricket ball except in designated cricket areas.
That creates a blanket restriction on casual cricket in most public park spaces.
Unlike Bromley, Lewisham does not permit power-driven model aircraft anywhere in its parks.
The borough’s byelaws impose a complete ban with no designated flying areas or exemptions.
The borough even specifically bans aircraft, helicopters, hang-gliders and hot air balloons from taking off or landing in parks without permission from the council.
Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has its own collection of unusual park regulations.
Greenwich limits the number of dogs one person may bring into a park.
Under the borough’s rules, visitors are not allowed to walk more than four dogs at once in council-managed green spaces.
The borough has additionally introduced restrictions covering drones and remote-controlled vehicles.
Anyone operating them in a public park requires written permission from the council.
Fireworks are also prohibited without prior consent, meaning even small displays or sparklers in parks could technically breach the rules.
