If you ever find yourself in the historic city of Canterbury in England, you'll see more than your fair share of buildings dating from the Middle Ages and through time. You can see majestic cathedrals and abbeys, an imposing city gate, and much more.
But if you happen to walk down to the very end of Palace Street, there's another building that's sure to impress. It's not ancient, and it's not a stunning work of masonry. In fact, the most impressive thing about it is that it's, well, still standing.
We're talking about the corner building known commonly as "The Crooked House of Canterbury."
Believed to have been built in 1617, it's also known as Sir John Boys' House, or sometimes as King's Gallery or Old Kings Shop. And it's immediately recognizable for the pronounced way it leans to one side.
We've seen a lot of really bizarre buildings here at LittleThings, but most of them were built that way on purpose. But with the Crooked House, that wasn't exactly the case.
Whatever the reason, it's become something of a small landmark in its own right, and the city seems to be supporting it — literally. Take a look and see if you don't get a little dizzy!
[H/T: Amusing Planet, Britain Express, Atlas Obscura]
This is the Crooked House of Canterbury. Located on the corner of Palace and King Streets, it's known for its extreme tilt.
It's sometimes known as King's Gallery or the Old Kings Shop, likely because of the adjacent street. It's also known as Sir John Boys' House, after a 16th-century Member of Parliament.
However, the house, built in 1617, was actually constructed five years after Boys' death, so he's not actually connected to it.
So why does the house look like this, anyway?
Apparently, an internal chimney began to lean, taking the building with it. Attempts to straighten the chimney caused the building to slide even more, resulting in the crazy tilt you see today.
Today, though, a steel frame holds the building together, so although it doesn't look it, it's safe.
The Crooked House has taken on many roles over the years, including a gallery, a bookstore, a school uniform supplier, and a musical instrument store.
The door has also been painted many different colors, but its dramatic tilt has always served to attract visitors.
From the other side, you can see just how much the building leans into the street.
If not for that steel support frame, this would be a little disconcerting!
It seems the house has been leaning for quite some time, too, although in the past, the tilt was more subtle.
But by the 1950s, you can see that the bottom story windows are beginning to slant.
This photo shows the house viewed through the King's School Gateway.
Rumor also has it that this house inspired author Charles Dickens to write this line in David Copperfield, describing where David lives while in Canterbury:
“a very old house bulging over the road… leaning forward, trying to see who was passing on the narrow pavement below.”
Of course, we'll never know if this was the house that inspired Dickens' description in his 1849 book, but it certainly seems like a likely candidate.
Since the early 20th century, it's been a favorite for tourists to Canterbury, who love snapping photos of its strange architecture.
The interior isn't always open to the public, depending on how the building is being used, but you can get a great sense of its strangeness from the street.
In a city full of major historical events and grand sights, it's kind of nice to think that this otherwise humble little house can hold its own as a tourist favorite.
Leaning houses aren't limited to Canterbury, either! This leaning house is located in Windsor, and is just as charming!
SHARE this offbeat attraction with anyone who loves to travel, but who wants to go a little off the beaten track!
