Alex Stewart Photography

The Micronationalists

Throughout history, the human experience can be described as a never ending search for two competing factors: A desire for power, and a need of  community. For a small, international group of people,  Micronations exist to satisfy both those factors.

The reasons as to why a person forms a micronation are as diverse as the society which they choose to remove themselves from. Micronations can be 'simulationist', where the ruler may enjoy enacting the bureaucracy and pageantry that comes with being a world leader; or 'realised', where the ruler claims a piece of land and attempts to secede from their country of origin.

The micronational community in the UK is a mixture of simulationist politiphiles,  amateur conservationists and autocratic idealists, exhibiting every gamut of the political spectrum.

This project aims to highlight this diverse community of doers and dreamers in the UK, and preserve their efforts for years to come. 

Raöul Halvar

Dictating Chief of the Waywood Territories

Dorset, UK

Reaching the Waywood Territories without the luxury of a car is a difficult task. After two trains and an hour and a half walk through the New Forest, you find a wooden gate covered in signs telling you to keep out. You ring a bell and a man comes to let you in, twisting several locks and lifting a series of wooden blocks, each heavier than the last.

Once I was finally inside, we had a cup of tea and I got to meet the 12 other people who call Waywood their home.

Raoul, the owner of this patch of woodland has done his best to provide for those who have decided to live here. There are pathways with names such as 'Guild Way' and living quarters for everyone. A sandpit for the young, a pub for the old and an armoury and jail for those against them. Raoul spoke proudly of his fire and national health service and their response times.

The system of governance in Waywood is as complex as it is inclusive. At the top of the pile sits Raoul, the Chief and Dictator. Whilst he has the final say, decisions are made through a council of 12 'Wombles' (Waywood Residents) with each representative selected based on their Chinese zodiac symbol.

To complicate matters, there are only 8 seperate zodiac signs accounted for within the community and so four seats on the council are left unoccupied, with the hope being that they will be filled one day. 

In the centre of Waywood are three large thrones. Two of which are decorated by Raoul and his partner and one is left blank for visiting dignitaries and a prospective second partner. For a portion of my visit, Raoul sat atop his throne talking about the future of Waywood whilst the others carry out their duties in and around. Out of all the micronations I have visited, this one felt most like a nation.

Clare & Dan, Crown Princess and Prince of The Isle of Lithua, Brecon, Wales

Few micronations are as idyllic as the Isle of Lithua. Situated in the middle of the River Wye near the Brecon Beacons, Lithua is a green and pleasant land surrounded by beauty.  Siblings Princess Clare and Prince Dan came up with the idea to start their own country whilst living at home during the pandemic. Whilst the initial idea began in a drunken haze, when sober they realised that there was actually very little stopping them from making their plan a reality.

Like many who grow up in the countryside, their formative years were spent exploring with little regard for boundaries and land ownership. Along with some of the other kids from the village, they spent many summers playing on an island easily accessible with a pair of wellies and a steady foot. Everyone had a different story as to who the island belonged to. Some said that it was a local farmer, others said it was the councils and a few said it belonged to a mysterious local land owner. It wasn't until they had returned as adults that they questioned these persistent rumours and found out that the island wasn't owned by anyone. After consulting a lawyer, they were able to claim the deed and officially establish the Isle of Lithua.

Their plan is to turn the land into a nature reserve, and spend their days clearing the island's shore of debris and farm equipment which washes ashore. They've installed bird boxes and have plans for other wild life refuges. Currently the island is somewhat choked by Japanese Knotweed, but work is under way to rid it from Lithuan shores.

Clare and Dan come from a family of creatives. Their mother is an actor and their father worked in the film industry. Clare is a voice over artist and singer and Dan currently works in the music industry.  Having been brought together by the pandemic, the Isle of Lithua may only last for as long as the siblings stay in the area, however what they have achieved in a few short years is nothing short of amazing.