Norse Hill Estate was built in the early 1960s by Norwegian shipping magnate Reidar Johanssen as a secluded escape to comfort and tranquility. This estate as well as others in the San San area were erected during a time when the area became known as the secluded haven for the "jet set." Located in Drapers, Portland Parrish, Jamaica, the estate is just a few minutes away from the famous Blue Lagoon and private beaches such as Frenchman’s Cove and San San Beach.
Norse Hill Botanical Gardens, located in the prestigious San San Nature Reserve & Bird Sanctuary – is a uniquely beautiful and comfortable hilltop retreat. The eight acres of botanical gardens we created by Reidar's wife, Iris. She planned, plotted and managed the estate’s botanical gardens with a keen eye for the indigenous flora, along with the exotic flowering plants, ferns and trees she imported. Walking among the grounds, you will encounter peacock ferns, colorful croton, hibiscus, allamanda, jade, red and yellow ixora, plumbago and poinsiana, and hundreds of orchids. Fragrant allspice, almond, breadfruit, cocoa, fig and nutmeg trees share the grounds with avocado, banana, orange, papaya, pineapple and tangerine trees. Trail walkers will find serene ponds and tranquil meadows framed by groves of bamboo. And the abundance of tropical flora naturally attracts a variety of rare, colorful birds and butterflies – including Jamaica’s own “Doctor Bird” hummingbird.