Its name and distinctive appearance were the result of 19th-century mining subsidence which caused one side of the building to be approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) lower than the other.

It was known as "Britain's wonkiest pub", and optical illusions inside the building made objects appear to roll uphill.

Criminal charges of arson with intent to endanger life have been brought against multiple people, and the landowner has been issued with an enforcement notice which requires them to reconstruct the building.

[4] In the 1970s, the landlord claimed that the novelty of the pub brought visitors from as far afield as China, Russia, Japan, the United States, and Canada.

[10][11] Around this time, coal mines were established in the Black Country, and the Earl of Dudley owned the substantial Himley colliery in the area surrounding the pub.

[b][11] Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries purchased the pub and in 1957 made the structure safe using steel tie rods and strengthening the buttresses,[1][20] investing £10,000 (approximately £300,000 in 2023) in doing so.

[32][35][36] Access to the premises was hindered by an 8-foot (2.4 m) mound of earth blocking the only lane leading to the building, so approximately 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) of hose were used to pump water to the fire.

[38] A police cordon was in place on the morning of 7 August while investigations were undertaken, but officers were stood down because of concerns that the building was structurally unsafe.

[3] Between August and October, Staffordshire Police arrested and bailed six people on charges including suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

[46] In February 2024 South Staffordshire Council issued an enforcement notice on the landowner requiring them to reinstate the building as it was before demolition.

[47] ATE Farms Ltd lodged an appeal against the order,[48] proposing to rebuild the pub on an alternative site nearby as the former location would "not provide a sustainable community facility".