Head Gardener - Live Out - EC5599

An enthusiastic and hands-on Head Gardener is required to take the leading role at my client’s beautiful family home in Newbury, West Berkshire.  This interesting and varied position involves the management of the historic property, itself comprising 23 acres including 3-acres of garden, 4-acres of woodland and 16-acres of paddocks. 

The gardens are made up of several rooms containing large herbaceous borders, many varieties of roses (including wall-trained climbing roses), extensive lawns, terraces with container planting, a croquet lawn, ornamental planting, mature trees throughout (cedar, beech, chestnut and impressive lime avenues) and areas of managed woodland.  The less formal areas of the garden, including the hedgerows and woodland, are being developed specifically to encourage wildlife.  Amenities include an En Tout Cas tennis court and a saltwater swimming pool.  The property does not have a kitchen garden and there is no requirement for plant propagation work.  The surrounding paddocks are managed by a local farmer, and the hedges managed by local tree surgeons.

This is an opportunity to work with the owners and the existing team on the continued development of the gardens and grounds on a permanent basis.  You must have an ability to lead by example.   As a member of the team, you will also be expected to assist with ad-hoc estate duties such as recycling, stocking the house with logs for the fire, basic swimming pool maintenance/monitoring when in use, feeding the hens, and other similar tasks as and when they arise.  This is a family home with a friendly team of staff, so applicants must possess a positive can-do attitude at all times and the desire to settle into a genuinely enjoyable role on a long-term basis.

As a suitable applicant, you will need strong plant knowledge and experience in the operation and basic maintenance of a full range of garden machinery.  A good level of physical fitness is essential.  You will be responsible for managing one full-time gardener, two part-time helping hands, as well as external contractors where necessary.  Academic horticultural qualifications would be beneficial but not necessarily essential if extensive relevant experience can be demonstrated.  Spraying certificates (PA1/PA6) and a certificate of chainsaw competence are desired, as is experience in a similar garden management role within a private home.  You must be an enthusiastic gardener with an ability and willingness to disseminate your knowledge to members of the small and enthusiastic garden team.

Although a live-out position, a recently refurbished gardener’s cottage with excellent facilities is provided for use during breaks and lunchtimes.  A full driving licence and your own transport are required due to the rural location of the property.

SALARY: Circa £35,000 DOE (Live out)

LOCATION: Newbury, Berkshire

JOB No: EC5599

If this Head Gardener – Live Out vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 7333510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener – Live Out vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive it is not possible to respond to every one, therefore unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Head Gardener – Live Out vacancy will have been unsuccessful.