At long last, the Golden Lion is coming back to life. I first visited the building last year, before restoration began, when Irene from Birmingham Conservation Trust gave us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the plans for this Grade II listed gem. Now, with work well underway, I had the chance to return to see the progress taking place.
The Golden Lion has quite a story. Built in the early 1600s, it originally stood in Deritend High Street and has lived many different lives over the centuries. In 1911 it was moved to Cannon Hill Park, where it later served as a cricket pavilion and refreshment room. For more than 20 years, however, it has stood empty until support from Historic England and local funders allowed Birmingham Conservation Trust and the City Council to begin the restoration.
This latest visit was something special. The hard hat tour was limited to just six people, making it a rare opportunity to see the restoration up close. Irene once again led the visit, starting with an update on progress so far before introducing us to Richard, the site manager from Reynolds Conservation. After the essential health and safety briefing, we were suited up in hard hats and high-vis and then it was time to explore.
Unlike my previous visit, when we viewed the interior, this time we walked around the outside via scaffolding. It gave a completely different perspective to the house. The focus of the work is currently on the timber frame i.e. the true skeleton of the building. The roof timbers are in surprisingly good condition, but the lower sections have needed careful repair. Everywhere you looked, numbered markings showed where attention was required, and skilled carpenters were meticulously blending new timber with old. The result is a fascinating mix of a centuries old building meeting modern craftsmanship.
The same careful approach is being taken with the brickwork. Damaged bricks are removed and replaced with historically appropriate materials, following Historic England guidelines. Listening to Irene and Richard discuss the restoration was a highlight. Their passion for getting every detail right was obvious. Even the replacement window glass has been specially researched to ensure it matches the original look and character of the Golden Lion.
From a photography perspective, it was a dream visit. The exposed timber frame was particularly striking. I loved the geometric angles, and the texture of the wood used, new and old. Standing there, you could almost feel the building poised between past and future, ready for its next chapter.
I felt incredibly lucky to be part of such a small tour, and I can’t wait to see the Golden Lion fully restored. It’s one of those projects that reminds you how much history still survives and in this case fortunate that the right people provide the chance for the building to shine again.
A major grant from Historic England has made the restoration of the Golden Lion possible, and without that support it’s unlikely the work would have started so quickly. If you’d like to learn more about the Golden Lion and its history, be sure to check out the links below.
It is a a privilege to work on this old timber building.