No, I’m not referencing the British royal family—although they are a shambolic mess—I’m referring to a lovely, rickety looking building a historic Windsor, England. If you have every visited the tourist town, you have likely had a peep at the charming house.
Although this building stands at a distinctive slant, it’s completely sturdy, and has been around since 1687. The house wasn’t always crooked, though. The house was originally built in 1592 and initially served as a butcher’s shop. The building’s unique slant is the result of its reconstruction in 1687. After a land dispute, the town council in Windsor was ordered to rebuild the house quickly. Unseasoned green oak wood was used in a rush. As the wood dried, the structure buckled and became tilted in a way that is stable but wonky looking.
The building underwent a complete restoration—maintaining the slant of course—and has a new life as a café. The Crooked House now hosts The Shambles, a bar and bottle shop where proprietors Pip and Hamish will gladly serve you some of Windsor’s finest cocktails, a carefully curated wine selection, delicious nibbles, and coffee. It makes the list of the top five places in Windsor for coffee and drinks, and is an excellent place to watch the Changing of the Guard or rest your feet after trudging The Long Walk.



Love a survivor. It’s many years since I was in Windsor xx