The Crooked House, a 17th-century landmark in Canterbury, Kent, is currently listed for sale at £650,000. This Grade II listed structure is famous for its tilted appearance and has previously served as a charity bookshop and gallery.
The £650,000 price tag for 3,134 square feet of slanted history
Estate agents Christopher Hodgson are currently marketing the property, known as the Crooked House, for £650,000. According to the report, the freehold commercial premises spans three floors and offers approximately 3,134 sq ft (291 sq m) of office space. The building is situated on the famous King's Mile, a high-traffic area in Canterbury that makes the property a prime target for commercial interests looking to capitalize on tourist footfall.
The listing describes the property as a "delightfully skewed" opportunity, emphasizing its architectural character. Because the building is Grade II listed, any future owner will face strict regulations regarding renovations, ensuring that the distinctive tilt—which has made it one of the city's most photographed attractions—remains intact for future generations.
A slipped chimney and the legacy of Sir John Boys
The building's signature slant is not the result of intentional design but rather a structural failure involving an internal chimney that slipped over time. This shift left the timber-framed structure looking askew, most notably affecting the angle of its doorway. The property is also known as Sir John Boys House, named after the former MP and the first recorder of Canterbury, adding a layer of political and civic history to its physical eccentricity.
Over the centuries, the Crooked House has adapted to various commercial needs. As reported, the building has previously operated as an instrument shop, a school outfit shop, and an art gallery. Most recently, it provided a home for the Catching Lives charity, which utilized the space to run a second-hand bookstore, demonstrating the building's versatility despite its precarious appearance.
The cautionary tale of Staffordshire's Himley pub
The sale of the Crooked House comes at a time when other "wonky" British landmarks are facing existential threats. A stark contrast is found in Staffordshire, where the Himley pub—once dubbed "Britain's wonkiest pub"—was destroyed by a suspected arson attack in August 2023. Unlike the preserved state of the Canterbury landmark, the Himley pub was demolished by its owners, ATE Farms, less than 48 hours after the fire, allegedly without proper permission.
The aftermath of the Himley pub's destruction has sparked a protracted legal battle. While the South Staffordshire district council ordered ATE Farms in 2024 to rebuild the 260-year-old tavern within three years, the firm launched an appeal against this enforcement notice in February 2025. This conflict underscores the tension between private ownership and the public desire to preserve quirky architectural heritage, especially when a site becomes a "decaying dumping ground" during legal disputes.
Who will revive the former Catching Lives charity space?
While the physical specifications of the Crooked House are clear, several questions remain regarding its future. it is currently unknown if the new buyer intends to maintain the building as a commercial retail space or convert it into private offices,which could alter the public's access to this landmark. Furthermore, the report does not specify if there are any existing bids or if the £650,000 figure is expected to rise due to the property's unique status.
There is also the question of whether the current structural tilt is stable or if the "slipped chimney" requires ongoing, costly stabilization to prevent further leaning. Potential buyers will likely need to investigate the long-term maintenance costs associated with a 17th-century timber frame that is fundamentally off-balance.
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