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The 13 UK seaside towns where feeding seagulls could land you with on-the-spot £100 fine
IF you're planning a trip to the seaside this summer, be careful not to make this costly mistake.
While feeding seagulls may seem like harmless fun, it can actually result in hefty fines.
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As summer kicks into gear, a lot of Brits are planning staycationers at scenic beaches.
But be warned because this little known coastal rule could turn your fish and chip supper into a serious expense.
In some seaside towns across the country, feeding seagulls is not just discouraged; it is punishable by law.
Luxury Group Stay, one of the UK's leading providers of premium holiday accommodation, has urged travellers to be aware of this local by-law.
So even if these cheeky birds are begging for a chip, resist the urge to feed them.
In Aldeburgh, Suffolk, visitors are greeted by signs warning that anyone caught feeding gulls could face prosecution.
This is enforced under public health and anti-social behaviour by-laws.
Introduced in 2009, this rule is a result of rising public complaints about nuisance behaviour from gulls — including swooping attacks, persistent begging, and damage to bins and property.
And it's far from an isolated case; a series of restrictions has emerged across the UK and the Channel Islands.
Many councils have introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) or similar measures to clamp down on gull feeding.
Measures have been introduced along the North Yorkshire coast, with towns like Whitby and Scarborough issuing fines of up to £100 for feeding seagulls along their harbours and seafronts.
The fine, introduced under environmental protection legislation, is part of a broader effort to manage behaviour in high-footfall coastal towns.
And while the maximum penalty is rarely issued, local councils use it as a strong deterrent.
This effort is more common than most Brits realise.
Similar bans are now in place across the South West, including East Devon, where feeding seagulls is prohibited under PSPOs.
Fixed penalties of £80 can be issued on the spot, with the possibility of higher fines for repeat offences or failure to pay.
In West Dorset, towns like Lyme Regis and Bridport have adopted comparable policies.
St Ives in Cornwall banned gull feeding in 2018 following multiple incidents of birds injuring visitors while attempting to grab food.
A rep for Luxury Group Stay said that the rise in local fines and by-laws "catching guests off guard" has seen a change in customer preferences.
"We're seeing growing demand for private stays where families can relax, dine outdoors, and enjoy themselves without worrying about unexpected restrictions," they explained.
With rules varying from town to town and signage often easy to miss, travellers are advised to check local guidance carefully.
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