Walking through Canterbury the “falling buildings and skew architecture definitely reminded my of York which is filled with such buildings. I really wonder how these buildings stay standing seeing as they are so top-heavy and old.
The first “skewed” or “falling” building we came across in Palace street was the Old Rectory House of St. Alphage Church. This house was built in the year 1250 AD. This half-timbered building has two projecting upper stories over a ground floor, each upper story projecting further than the last. The upper floors may be 15th century. In 1665 it was renovated and they added a second floor and a new roof.
The exterior is beautifully carved, with intricate floral and geometric designs rimming the jetties. The most intriguing features, however, are the carved brackets that support the jetties. This building has a type of gargoyle bracket that can also be found in some other buildings in the city. These gargoyle brackets are used to protect the occupants from bad spirits or demons.
The building that had me the most flabbergasted even had a “falling” door. The front door actually had to be built with ‘severely skewed’ corners to fit to unusual doorframe.
This ” Crooked House” is prominently positioned at the far end of Palace Street within an easy stroll of the High Street. It is known as Sir John Boys House- or ‘Crooked House’, ‘King’s Gallery’, or ‘Old Kings Shop’ .
After the Cathedral, Sir John Boys House is possibly the most photographed historic building in Canterbury and is a dramatically skewed 17th century half-timbered building, with projecting jetties onto both Palace Street and King Street.
Apparently, the house gained its current distorted look after alterations to an internal chimney caused the structure to move sideways. Works to correct the movement actually caused the structure to skew further, although now, the building is supported internally by a steel frame, which prevents it from further movement.
Above the door is painted ” a very old house bulging over the road…leaning forward, trying to see who was passing on the narrow pavement below….” Charles Dickens 1849
Janaline's world journey 
Reblogged this on Far from Done and commented:
Just added “Visit The Falling Buildings of Canterbury” to my Bucket List.
LikeLike
Excellent!! They are definitely a must see!!
LikeLike
Goodness! It looks like something from Dr Seuss!
LikeLike
I agree! Or something out of Alice in wonderland!
LikeLike
I love it! Quite cross with myself because I was in Canterbury briefly a couple of years ago and I missed this. I did see lots of other lovely architecture though. Thanks for sharing, Janaline, and Merry Christmas! (where will you be spending it?) 🙂
LikeLike
Canterbury is filled with so many beautiful buildings that it is hard to get round to seeing them all! Hopefully next time…. A very Merry Christmas for you too Jo! I will be spending Christmas with the family in stellenbosch, South-Africa, so excited. And you?
LikeLike
Sounds fabulous! I’ll be home, cooking, but I’m looking forward to the Algarve on 2nd January. 🙂
LikeLike
I saw some leaning wooden old buildings in north France. Incredibly, someone still abides at the inclined house.
LikeLike
I agree, can’t believe people still live in these skew buildings….they definitely don’t look very sturdy
LikeLike
Crazy… but oh so old. Fascinating post.
LikeLike
Thank you! I love these old crooked buildings, they look on the verge of falling over!
LikeLike
Perhaps Dr Seuss got his inspiration here. 🙂
LikeLike
Either dr Seuss or Lewis Carol for Alice in wonderland! These buildings are definitely very interesting
LikeLike
so interesting! I’ve never heard of these falling houses. thanks for the great photos too!
LikeLike
Thanks Tobyo. These buildings are definitely very interesting as they don’t look very sturdy.
LikeLike
Wow that is incredible! I love old architecture and this has to be some of the best I’ve seen. Love the falling building!
LikeLike
Thank you! Another place that has beautiful skew buildings is York in the north of England….will post some York photos soon!
LikeLike