Paradise Walk

A colourful, gentle ramble of a route 

Paradise Walk

Connecting the South Lawn and West of the Garden, this pretty route, previously known as The Long Walk, winds its way along the tall stone southern boundary wall of the Garden and provides access to the Italian Garden, Round Dell and Old Potting Sheds.

The walk was originally created to provide a clear view of the House, with a fine collection of trees and shrubs, including bursts of colour from rhododendrons and azaleas. Behind you is the gentle landscape of South Park, with two lakes and Woodland copses.

Paradise Walk at Borde Hill
Paradise Walk at Borde Hill

Dig a Little Deeper

The Paradise Walk borders can be a challenging area to plant and have undergone several incarnations since 2000. In 2020, the wider border was redesigned by RHS award-winning garden designer Chris Beardshaw who selected seventy different types of perennials including origanum and angelica to ensure colour and scent would last from spring to late autumn.

A carpet of 3000 Muscari armeniacum ‘Peppermint’, Anthemis tinctoria ‘E.C. Buxton’ and the tight umbels of Achillea ‘Credo’ are interspersed with grey-green foliage plants, like the aromatic evergreen Ballota pseudodictamnus and ground-covering Eriophyllum lanatum, with yellow daisy flowers in late spring and early summer.

Other plants you can discover here are the soft-pink and long-flowering Astrantia ‘Roma’, mauvy-blue Geranium ‘Rozanne’, and Gillenia trifoliata, with dainty star-shaped white flowers from June to September.

A few of the same plants appear in both the border and the wall beds opposite. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ flowers in the south-facing beds from June through to late autumn and is planted with the dark-centred magenta G. ‘Ann Folkard’. Other key plants are red-hot pokers  and Gladiolus ‘Ruby’ for late summer and nerines for autumn. Ferns, like Asplenium scolopendrium, thrive in the shadier areas against the walls.

Plants of Interest

  • Catalpa bignonioides
  • Zauschneria californica
  • Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Arnhem’,
  • Kniphofia Uvaria ‘Nobilis’,
  • Kniphofia’ Tawny King
  • Aster novae-angliae ‘Alma Potschke’
          Paradise Walk at Borde Hill.

          Did you

          Know?

          Borde Hill is home to Emmenopterys henryi, a rare deciduous Chinese tree collected by notable Plant Hunter George Forrest. Planted on the Azalea Ring in 1928, our tree is one of the few original specimens in the UK to flower, the first time being in 2011, inspiring the new Borde Hill logo.
          Emmenopterys henryi
          A child on the zip wire in the Advenure Playground at Borde Hill.
          Children in the Italian Garden. Image: Emli Bendixen

          For Families

          The ideal place for children to explore, learn and find joy in nature

          Plan a fun-filled day for you and your family in the great outdoors, come rain or shine. Enjoy the perfect balance of fresh air and big open spaces to roam in, then refuel at the Gardeners’ Retreat Cafe, enjoy a picnic in the Garden or by the lakes or treat yourself to a delicious ice cream from the Gift Shop.

          Membership

          Connect to the beauty of nature while supporting our Garden for future generations by becoming a Member.

          Members enjoy unlimited access to the Garden, Woodland and Playground throughout the open season, as well as free entry to highlights from our varied events programme. Visit time and again and enjoy free family trails during the school holidays, exclusive open days and monthly Garden newsletters.

          Discover the Possibilities

          A family next to the water feature in the Rose Garden at Borde Hill during summer.

          Become a Member

          Membership is your ticket to enjoy unlimited access to the Garden, Parkland and Woodland throughout the open season. Our members also receive free entry to a number of exciting events, from live music in the Garden to Specialist Plant Fairs and much more. Family Membership provides unlimited access to the Adventure Playground and free school holiday trails.

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          Italian Garden at Borde Hill. Image: Molly Hollman

          Our Garden & Grounds

          Set within 383 acres of heritage listed Parkland, our formal Garden captivates and delights visitors with a series of intimate 'Garden rooms'. Beyond the formal Garden you can explore Woodland walks, the South Park and our lakes with outstanding views across the Sussex High Weald.

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          A misty atmospheric view of trees in North Park at Borde Hill with cows in the distance.

          Support Us

          As a small, independent Garden Charity, we rely on your kind generosity to help fund our projects and to continue to grow sustainably, protecting our natural heritage for generations to come. 'Reinventing Borde Hill' is our most ambitious project to date and your support will help us to achieve exciting plans to benefit our local community.

          It would make a huge difference if you would consider supporting us by making a donation – thank you.

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