The Paper Mill

The Paper Mill is a Grade II* listed house located on Hinksden Road in Benenden. This late 15th-century Wealden hall house was restored around 1910. It features a timber-framed structure with close-studding and plastered infill, set on a brick base. The roof is steeply pitched and covered with old tiles, complemented by a late 16th-century brick chimney stack.

On the southeast front, the first floor of the end window bay extends outward, supported by the ends of the floor joists and brackets, with a surviving dragon post on the right side. The eaves are supported by curved brackets and a central bracket. The building has two storeys and four windows, with 20th-century casements. A four-centred arched doorway is present, alongside a 18th-century lead pump attached to the right of the door. The rear of the house features later two-storey extensions and a lean-to, all constructed with matching materials.

Inside, the hall is open to the roof and showcases an octagonal moulded crown post with four head braces connecting to the collar beam, as well as curved tension braces leading to the tie beam. The dais beam retains about one-third of the original plank oak screen and a spere truss, with dragon ties. The parlour end includes a 16th-century four-centred arched stone fireplace, adorned with blank shields in the spandrels, and a similar fireplace is reported in the chamber above. The service end has three four-centred arched service entrances, two of which have original plank doors. The hall also features a large fireplace dating from around 1929. The name of the property comes from a paper mill that was located at the beginning of the driveway in the 19th century.