The Saracen’s Head, King’s Norton

The Saracen’s Head on King’s Norton Green is part of a medieval complex of buildings which includes the Old Grammar School. It was a winner on BBC’s ‘Restoration’ program in 2004 and is now known as St Nicholas Place.

It was built as a Tudor Merchants House in 1492, and in 1643 Queen Henrietta Maria of France may have stayed here during the Civil War on her way up to York. The Saracen’s Head is supposedly haunted by the ghost ofthe Queens maid, who caught influenza from the troops who were camped by the stream (the River Rea, near to The Camp pub).

The venue is now fully restored and can be hired out for events – I used to give blood here – and there is also a café, and I believe tours are available. There is a piece of original wattle and daub in the upstairs room too!

King’s Norton Green is part of the King’s Norton ConservationArea and there is also a monthly farmers market on the Green. This is quite a delightful little place to just sit and watch the world go by, or to explore, or to use a base for your next adventure! It is near to many locations I have already blogged about – the canal; Lifford Lake; the River Rea; King’s Norton Nature Reserve and hopefully soon many more!