Potkiln Farmhouse

This is a timber-framed farmhouse, dating back to around 1600, with alterations made in the 18th and 20th centuries. The structure has close-studding plaster infill, with some brick pitching, and a plain tile hipped roof. It features several brick stacks, including a large axial stack with four flues and a cornice, a smaller axial stack also with four flues and a cornice, and an external stack at the north-west with tiled set-offs.

Originally designed with a three-room and cross-passage plan, the passage was likely added later. The hall and parlour were originally heated by a back-to-back fireplace within a chimney bay, with the left-hand side originally divided into two small service rooms. It is believed it originally had two storeys and an attic, potentially with a stair tower at the rear of the cross-passage providing access to the upper floors and attic. The staircase was later moved to the chimney bay beside the stack, and a second stair was inserted into the passage in the 20th century, creating an axial passage behind the hall.

The south-west front has an asymmetrical nine-window arrangement, showcasing exposed close-studding, storey posts, and a mid rail. There are 20th-century casement windows, some set within original mullioned openings, and a doorway with a 20th-century plank door. A brick patch and a small 20th-century bay are located on the right side. The north-west end has been rebuilt in brick at ground floor level, with a jettied close-studded first floor and an 18th-century leaded pane casement. Similar casements and small two-light windows are on the south-east end. The rear elevation has small two-light windows on the first floor and a large five-light mullion-transom window on the ground floor, alongside a later outshut on the left and a 20th-century porch on the right.

Inside, the hall has stopped-chamfered intersecting beams, chamfered joists, and later partitions creating a cross-passage. A large brick fireplace with a cambered timber lintel is a notable feature. The parlour has chamfered axial beams and joists, and a similar fireplace. The small service end retains two doorways, one of which is blocked. The staircase beside the stack features an octagonal newel with an ogee-shaped finial. The chambers have chamfered beams and exposed joists, with fireplaces having cambered chamfered timber lintels in the hall and parlour chambers. Numerous 17th-century plank doors have survived. The roof structure over the hall and service end is particularly fine, comprising side purlins clasped by diminished principals, large jowled queen struts and collars, and curved wind-braces. The attic contains old floorboards.

The name Potkiln reflects the house's connection to the pottery industry in High Halden during the 18th century.