The Golden Lion, Cannon Hill Park
Client: Birmingham Conservation Trust
Project: Feasibility study for repair and reuse
Location: Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham
Status: Feasibility study completed 2025
The Feasibility Phase
The Golden Lion is a Grade II-listed timber-framed building dating from the 17th century. It was originally built in Deritend, and the structure relocated to Canon Hill Park in 1911 by the Birmingham Archaeological Society to save it from demolition. This was an early and influential act of architectural conservation in the city.
The building has stood empty for over two decades, and prior to the project starting, it was in a perilous state, vulnerable to structural failure, decay, and arson. Birmingham Conservation Trust (BCT) approached Birmingham City Council and Historic England to lead a project to assess the building’s condition and identify a viable route to repair and reuse.
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Following a competitive tender process, Oliver Architecture were appointed as Architect and Lead Consultant in 2025 to manage a multidisciplinary team to deliver a full feasibility study. Work included a comprehensive assessment of the building’s condition, identification of essential and urgent repairs, and the development of outline costs for phased fabric repairs, and future re-use options. Key outcomes of the feasibility study included a repair strategy to tackle further decline and an informed framework for engaging with potential funders and stakeholders. The study also explored a range of potential end uses.
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The feasibility formed the basis of the next phase of the project - the emergency repair stage. Following a successful funding bid, BCT was awarded £344,265 grant from Historic England, in partnership with Birmingham City Council. With funding in place, the focus then moved from planning to delivery, and vital repair works.
The feasibility formed the basis of the next phase of the project - the emergency repair stage. Following a successful funding bid, BCT was awarded £344,265 grant from Historic England, in partnership with Birmingham City Council. With funding in place, the focus then moved from planning to delivery, and vital repair works.
Image: Drawing of Elevation 1 after Repairs
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Image: Drawing of Elevation 2 after Repairs
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The Repair Phase
Following the findings of the feasibility study, BCT applied for a further £300,000 of funding from Historic England to carry out urgent, first-stage repairs. The total cost of the repair stage is £425,000.
Work started on site in summer 2025 with this phase of the project addressing the emergency repairs highlighted in the feasibility study. These repairs would stabilise the structure, address urgent fabric issues and make the building safe.
Following the findings of the feasibility study, BCT applied for a further £300,000 of funding from Historic England to carry out urgent, first-stage repairs. The total cost of the repair stage is £425,000.
Work started on site in summer 2025 with this phase of the project addressing the emergency repairs highlighted in the feasibility study. These repairs would stabilise the structure, address urgent fabric issues and make the building safe.
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The project philosophy is very much about preservation as it is repair. However, where materials were too damaged to fix, replacement has taken precedent. The timber frame has been repaired with new sections of oak where the original structure was failing, and in some areas, new sections of oak have been carefully spliced into the existing timbers. The roof tiles were damaged and missing in many parts of the building and this meant a full replacement using traditional dreadnought tiles.
Throughout this phase our team have led joint tours with Birmingham Conservation Trust, engaging the public about the conservation repair works and providing rare close-up access to a building many in the city hold close to their heart.
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Craft and detail
The Golden Lion’s middle gable contains small, intricate wooden carvings of hearts (or shields). The heart is set within an arched brace designed as a decorative element to enhance the gable. Details like this are easy to miss because of their size.
We don't know why they exist other than being design choices of the time, just like we accessorise our own homes. They may also indicate some form of hidden symbolism or even part of a family Coat of Arms, or maybe the heart signalled that the owner was linked to a specific craft. Deritend after all, was a hive of manufacturing and craftsmanship.
We think they were most likely intended to signal wealth, reflecting the owner’s taste, style and status. Details such as these which are visible only upon close inspection, demonstrate that the owner of what eventually became known as the Golden Lion, could afford decorative details that served no practical purpose.
The Golden Lion’s middle gable contains small, intricate wooden carvings of hearts (or shields). The heart is set within an arched brace designed as a decorative element to enhance the gable. Details like this are easy to miss because of their size.
We don't know why they exist other than being design choices of the time, just like we accessorise our own homes. They may also indicate some form of hidden symbolism or even part of a family Coat of Arms, or maybe the heart signalled that the owner was linked to a specific craft. Deritend after all, was a hive of manufacturing and craftsmanship.
We think they were most likely intended to signal wealth, reflecting the owner’s taste, style and status. Details such as these which are visible only upon close inspection, demonstrate that the owner of what eventually became known as the Golden Lion, could afford decorative details that served no practical purpose.
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Over the years, when the hearts were repaired, they were made separately and simply nailed back onto the gable rather than being carved as part of a larger part of timber. We have chosen to recreate the hearts in the way they were originally crafted - carved directly from larger sections of timber as a single, integrated piece, and they will once again adorn the middle gable.
Details such as these are easy to miss. They further suggest that the original building was certainly high profile and built for a wealthy merchant in the town. This is truly a nod to the building’s history and the craftsmanship associated with it.
Once the repair stage is complete in summer 2026, focus will move to bringing the Golden Lion back into meaningful public use.