Head Gardener

Wadhurst Park; Wadhurst; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace pension scheme

Private health insurance

Job summary

Wadhurst Park is seeking an experienced gardener to join a small garden team on a private estate in East Sussex. The role is part-time (3 days per week) with a pro rata salary of £31,000–£35,000 depending on experience.

The ideal candidate will have horticultural qualifications, strong plant knowledge, and practical skills in organic, wildlife-friendly, naturalistic gardening. You will work outdoors, maintain diverse garden spaces, and support colleagues and trainees as needed.

Qualifications

• Horticultural qualification at Level 2 or above.
• Good plant knowledge and practical experience across horticultural techniques.
• Experience using a range of gardening machinery safely and competently.
• Genuine interest in naturalistic gardening, wildlife gardening and organic management principles.
• Able to work well as part of a small team while also using initiative.
• Physically fit and able to work outdoors in a practical estate environment.
• Positive, approachable and willing to share knowledge when supporting others.
• Full driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop a wide range of garden areas to a high standard using specialist horticultural skills and an organic approach.
• Work as part of a small garden team to support estate gardening activities.
• Contribute to wildlife-friendly planting and meadow-style schemes where appropriate.
• Support trainees, students or seasonal staff in developing practical skills.

Skills

Plant knowledge

Machinery operation

Naturalistic gardening

Teamwork

Physical fitness

Driving licence

Education

Horticultural qualification Level 2+

Job description

Experienced Gardener

Part-time, 3 days per week | Wadhurst, East Sussex | Circa £31,000-£35,000 pro rata, dependent on experience

An excellent opportunity for an experienced horticulturist to join the garden team at Wadhurst Park, a unique private estate in the East Sussex High Weald.

The role would suit a qualified, practical and thoughtful gardener with strong plant knowledge, sound horticultural skills and a particular interest in naturalistic gardening, gardening for wildlife and organic management.

Working as part of a small garden team, the successful candidate will help maintain and develop a wide range of garden areas to a high standard, using specialist horticultural skills and a sensitive, organic approach.

Wadhurst Park welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Whoever you are, if you are motivated, hardworking, flexible, curious and passionate about horticulture that supports wildlife, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Essential requirements

• Horticultural qualification at Level 2 or above.
• Good plant knowledge and practical experience across a range of horticultural techniques.
• Experience using a range of gardening machinery safely and competently.
• Genuine interest in naturalistic gardening, gardening for wildlife and organic management principles.
• Able to work well as part of a small team while also using initiative.
• Physically fit and able to work outdoors in a practical estate environment.
• Positive, approachable and willing to share knowledge when supporting others.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable attributes

• Experience in meadow, meadow-style or wildlife-focused planting schemes.
• Experience in fruit, vegetable, glasshouse or orangery work.
• Interest in ecology, habitat creation or conservation-led land management.
• Experience helping trainees, students or seasonal staff develop practical skills.
• Curiosity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn from a progressive garden setting.

What we offer

• A beautiful and unusual working environment on a progressive private estate.
• The chance to contribute to a garden that supports native ecology and demonstrates environmentally beneficial estate horticulture.
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Private health insurance.

All appointments require proof of eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references.