A picture of Himley, in the county of Staffordshire

On the edge of the Himley Estate lies the The Glynne Arms (more popularly known as the Crooked House or The Siden House). It is a house that has suffered badly from mining subsidence. It lies on what was the divide between Sir Stephen Glynne's land and that of the Earl of Dudley. Glynne removed too much of the coal that lies underneath with the obvious result. As the result of an optical illusion, without even taking a drink, beer bottles can really be seen to roll up the table! Some years ago, the pub was shifting and sinking but buttressing prevented further damage but left it tilted some 15 degrees out of true. Doors, floors and windows all sit at odd angles to one another, causing patrons difficulty upon entering the pub and walking to the bar. The sloping floor creates an eerie illusory sensation, making drinkers feel drunk before they have had a drink. The drinks are served in plastic beakers as they have had so many breakages due to customers staggering and dropping the glasses. It's the strangest feeling, a cross between the funhouse and hall of mirrors, the brain can't cope with the odd angles, it's the drunkest I have ever felt without having a drink!

Staffordshire