Hands On Head Gardener

Horticulture Jobs, brought to you by HortWeek; Moreton-in-Marsh; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation available

Job summary

Horticulture Jobs, brought to you by HortWeek, is seeking a Hands On Head Gardener for Batsford Park in the North Cotswolds, near Moreton-in-Marsh. The role offers hybrid working, live-in/out options, and a salary of £35k–£40k with accommodation available.

The successful candidate will lead a small gardening team, shape the garden’s long-term evolution, and champion ecological approaches while preserving an Arts & Crafts heritage setting.

Qualifications

• RHS Level 3 horticultural qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience of productive growing, propagation, planning and scheduling.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the garden alongside a small team.
• Manage and support the team, taking the reins of a long-term garden evolution.
• Incorporate ecological and nature-based approaches to garden management.
• Oversee diverse garden features and planned developments, including the glasshouse and polytunnel.
• Drive plant knowledge and horticultural design within a historic Arts & Crafts setting.

Skills

Plant knowledge

Horticultural judgement

Team leadership

Propagation

Education

RHS Level 3 horticultural qualification

Job description

Hands On Head Gardener

Employer

Batsford Park

Location

Batsford Park. North Cotswolds, just outside Moreton-in-Marsh

Salary

• Salary circa £35k -£40k Accommodation is available
• Salary negotiable / accommodation available
• Salary Circa £35k - £40k
• Salary will reflect experience and whether accommodation (available) is required.

Hours

Full Time

Place Of Work

Hybrid, Live-in, Live-out, Onsite

Closing Date

8 November 2026

Contract Type

Permanent

Function

Gardening Jobs, Grower Jobs, Horticulture, Maintenance, Ornamentals & Floriculture, Project Management, Edibles

Sector

Botanic Gardens, Countryside, Parks & Open Space, Food production, Groundskeeping & Maintenance, Growing

Seniority

Manager

Following a recent generational change, the owners of Batsford Park https://batsfordestate.co.uk/ are looking for an experienced and hands on Head Gardener.

They should have an excellent plant knowledge, be personable and communicate clearly, with the ability to manage and support our team, whilst taking the reins of an exciting, long-term commitment to evolve the garden.

Set within a beautiful landscape overlooking the nearby arboretum, the garden has a strong Arts and Crafts heritage, which the owners are keen to rediscover and reinterpret in a way that feels relevant and contemporary.

This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and knowledgeable horticulturist with a flair for design to have genuine influence over the garden’s future. The owners are also keen to explore more ecological and nature-based approaches to garden management.

The historic garden is set within an exquisite historic parkland with a large lake. The garden has various features including rock work, a formal area including roses which could be an immediate project, and a walled productive garden including a large Hartley Botanics glasshouse, divided into three independently controllable zones. A polytunnel and cuttings garden are planned for the near future to support the supply of fresh flowers and plants for the house.

The successful candidate will lead and develop the garden alongside a team comprising one full-time groundsman, one part-time groundsman and one part-time gardener. The team is supported by specialist contractors as required, providing additional assistance when needed.

This role would suit an experienced Head Gardener, or presents an opportunity for someone with strong plant knowledge, horticultural judgement and the enthusiasm to take ownership and shape our garden over the long term.

Candidates should ideally have a RHS level 3 horticultural qualification (or equivalent), have a passion for plants and their use, as well as experience of productive growing, propagation, planning and scheduling.

You will also require a full UK driving license.

Previous experience of working at a private historic estate would be desirable.