No, you’re not seeing things. This pub really is that wonky. The Crooked House near Birmingham is legendary for its slanted lean to the side. It’s disorientating enough when sober. After a couple of real ales? You’ll struggle to stand straight! But now Britain’s wonkiest pub has been sold after closing back in March.
The Crooked House has stood in the West Midlands village of Himley – on the outskirts of Dudley – for 192 years. Originally built as a country house in 1765, it transformed into a pub in the 1830s. Its crooked nature was later caused by mining in the nineteenth century – and only remains upright thanks to structural supports made from brick and metal.
This might be the end for The Crooked House, however. Marston’s, the pub company owned this wonky pub, put many of its non-core venues up for sale back in March. The group placed 61 of its pubs on the market – of which The Crooked House was one.
The pub was listed with a guide price of £675,000. Which, according to its listing, came with three trading areas including a separate restaurant, as well as an external car parking with 20 spaces, a children’s play area, a beer garden and allotments. While it has since seemingly found a buyer, early signs don’t look promising for the pub’s survival.
On The Crooked House’s Facebook page, a recent post announced the sale to a private buyer, “for alternative use.” The post also claims it’s “unlikely to open its doors again.”
It reads: “Quick note to let customers and visitors The Crooked House has been sold. Unlikely to open its doors again. Marstons have sold the site to a private buyer for alternative use that is all we know. This is just to update the page so nobody makes any wasted journeys to the site. Again thanks all for your custom and support in the 10 months I had there and wish things could have been very different but unfortunately not. Keep supporting the great other local pubs to make sure they stay as they should be.”
The Crooked House might be funny to look at, but to the people of Himley, it was a huge part of the community. (The venue has even hosted several weddings!) So we pray this isn’t the end of the wonky pub.
To learn more about the pub head here.