Saracen's Head

The Old Grammar School and a 15th-century timber-framed house stand around the 12th century church of St Nicolas at The Green in Kings Norton.

Winners of BBC Restoration 2004, the Old Grammar School along with the medieval house are buildings of considerable historical and architectural importance.

Twenty-one properties competed, including three for the Midlands heat, the others being Newstead Abbey, Ravenstead, home of Lord Byron, and Bawdsey Radar Station at Felixstowe.

[4] After their win, Rob Morris, Canon and Honorary President, said: "In the run up to the finale of the second series of the BBC's Restoration 2004, Historic Kings Norton caught people's imagination across Birmingham and the UK.

The changes to the Saracen's Head building include the demolition of the south range and a 19th-century toilet, and their replacement with modern facilities.

Work was undertaken to secure the north range, and to remove some 19th and 20th century additions, including earlier repairs.

The original doorway to the building - adjacent to the churchyard of St Nicolas - was reopened, and the screens passage leading from it was reinstated.

The Victorian kitchens and toilets have been replaced by modern facilities, and the east range has been opened up into a large cafe area.