Kings Norton

I paid a quick visit to Kings Norton this morning to take some photos of the historic buildings around the old village green.

If you used to watch the BBC's Restoration programme which ran for three series from 2003-2005, then you may remember the Saracen's Head and the Old Grammar School which won the second series.

This shot shows part of the oldest building on the site, the Tudor Merchant's House (which was built in 1492), and behind it the tower of St Nicolas Church. By the early 19th century part of the building had become an inn known as the Saracen's Head. By the time the inn closed in 1930 the whole building was owned by Mitchells & Butlers, who gave it to the church.

After winning the 2004 Restoration series the buildings were restored and re-opened to the public as Saint Nicolas Place.