Many archaic Victorian-era laws remain technically enforceable in England and Wales, despite seeming outdated or quirky today. For example, the Licensing Act of 1872 still fines £200 for being drunk in a pub and prohibits drunkenness while in charge of animals or vehicles, foreshadowing modern drink-driving laws. Other oddities include bans on singing profane songs in public, impersonating armed forces or police, and restrictions unique to London such as not driving cattle through streets during the day or firing cannons near residences.

While some laws have been repealed or evolved—like the 1824 Vagrancy Act scrapped in 2022 or the 1898 Library Offences Act replaced by a general nuisance ban—many remain on the books, reflecting historical social norms and concerns. These include prohibitions on carrying planks on pavements, playing certain street games, or defacing currency and property. Though rarely enforced today, these relics offer a glimpse into past legal frameworks that have influenced contemporary legislation and urban life.