Farmstead record BRF 176 - Farmstead: Paper Mill Farm

Paper Mill Farm adjoins Paper Mill Lane on the west and lies in close proximity to the River Gipping and Bramford Mill, which is known to have specialised in paper production since the 17th century. The farm was a substantial tenanted holding of 102 acres on the Bramford Hall estate in 1847, and its timber-framed farmhouse, granary and barn are shown in their present positions on an estate map of 1782. The three-bay granary is a typical East Anglian example with a cart lodge on its lower storey and an external stair in its southern gable, but its steeply pitched slate roof is unusual. The barn contains 16th century framing in its western elevation, including evidence of a rare arched doorway, but was extensively rebuilt in the 18th century. Both buildings have been much altered and partly rebuilt in recent years, and are not sufficiently rare or well-preserved to merit listing in their own right. The chief historic interest of the site derives from the traditional layout of the farm complex, which has survived from at least the 18th century. The Tudor fabric of the barn is probably contemporary with the unlisted farmhouse, which consists of a timber-framed early-16th century cross-wing that was originally part of a larger house extending further to the north (S1).

Paper Mill Farm, Bramford. 19th century farmstead and farmhouse. Regular courtyard U-shaped plan formed by working agricultural buildings. The farmhouse is set away from the yard. Only the farmhouse survives. Located within an isolated position (S2-7).

Recorded as part of the Farmsteads in the Suffolk Countryside Project. This is a purely desk-based study and no site visits were undertaken. These records are not intended to be a definitive assessment of these buildings. Dating reflects their presence at a point in time on historic maps and there is potential for earlier origins to buildings and farmsteads. This project highlights a potential need for a more in depth field study of farmstead to gather more specific age data.