Head Gardener - London

Woburn Enterprises Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bedford Estates is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to lead the horticultural team responsible for the Estate’s historic gardens and public spaces in Bloomsbury, London.

You will combine hands-on horticultural excellence with people leadership and heritage stewardship, ensuring high presentation, biodiversity and sustainability while engaging with external partners and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Significant professional horticultural experience.
• Proven experience leading and developing a gardening team.
• Strong practical knowledge across a broad range of horticulture.
• Experience working in historic gardens, estates, parks or high-quality public/private gardens.
• Excellent plant knowledge and an eye for detail.
• Experience of planning seasonal work and managing competing priorities.
• A strong understanding of horticultural machinery, tools and safe working practices.
• The confidence to manage contractors and external specialists.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A genuine passion for gardening and the development of people.
• A passion for sustainability and biodiversity, with experience in implementing related improvements.
• A formal horticultural qualification is essential, but proven ability, experience and attitude are equally important.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating and developing the horticultural team.
• Setting and maintaining exceptionally high standards of garden presentation.
• Planning seasonal horticultural operations and long-term maintenance programmes.
• Caring for historic landscapes while ensuring they remain relevant and resilient for the future.
• Developing planting schemes and horticultural improvements.
• Managing trees, shrubs, lawns, herbaceous planting, annuals and seasonal displays.
• Managing contractors and specialist suppliers where required.
• Planning resources, equipment, materials and labour effectively.
• Maintaining excellent health, safety and horticultural standards.
• Supporting biodiversity, sustainability and environmentally responsible gardening.
• Working closely with the wider Bedford Estates team and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to the continued development of the Estate’s gardens and public realm.

Skills

Horticultural leadership

Team development

Plant knowledge

Seasonal planning

Contractor management

Machinery safety

Communication skills

Biodiversity & sustainability

Historic garden experience

Education

Formal horticultural qualification

Tools

Horticultural machinery

Job description

The Bedford Estates - Bloomsbury, London

Lead the care, character and future of some of London’s most historic garden squares.

The Bedford Estates is seeking an experienced and inspirational Head Gardener to lead the horticultural team responsible for a unique collection of historic gardens and green spaces as well as being functional event spaces in the heart of London.

This is an opportunity for an exceptional horticultural professional to combine hands-on horticultural excellence with strong people leadership, heritage stewardship and forward-thinking garden management in a relevant stimulation and interesting way.

The Bedford Estates has cared for much of Bloomsbury since 1669. Today, its gardens include historic Georgian squares, public and private green spaces, and gardens that form an important part of the character and identity of Bloomsbury.

THE ROLE

As Head Gardener, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management, presentation and development of the Estate’s gardens.

You will lead and develop a professional horticultural team, setting clear standards and creating a culture where people take pride in what they do.

You will be both a leader and a gardener - visible in the gardens, understanding the detail while keeping sight of the bigger picture.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing the horticultural team.
• Setting and maintaining exceptionally high standards of garden presentation.
• Planning seasonal horticultural operations and long-term maintenance programmes.
• Caring for historic landscapes while ensuring they remain relevant and resilient for the future.
• Developing planting schemes and horticultural improvements.
• Managing trees, shrubs, lawns, herbaceous planting, annuals and seasonal displays.
• Managing contractors and specialist suppliers where required.
• Planning resources, equipment, materials and labour effectively.
• Maintaining excellent health, safety and horticultural standards.
• Supporting biodiversity, sustainability and environmentally responsible gardening.
• Working closely with the wider Bedford Estates team and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to the continued development of the Estate’s gardens and public realm.

The Estate already places significant emphasis on biodiversity and sustainable horticulture, including professional horticultural management, pollinator planting and beehives within its gardens.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for someone who brings experience, passion and leadership.

You will ideally have:

• Significant professional horticultural experience.
• Proven experience leading and developing a gardening team.
• Strong practical knowledge across a broad range of horticulture.
• Experience working in historic gardens, estates, parks or high-quality public/private gardens.
• Excellent plant knowledge and an eye for detail.
• Experience of planning seasonal work and managing competing priorities.
• A strong understanding of horticultural machinery, tools and safe working practices.
• The confidence to manage contractors and external specialists.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• A genuine passion for gardening and the development of people.
• A passion for sustainability and biodiversity, with experience in implementing related improvements.

A formal horticultural qualification is essential, but proven ability, experience and attitude are equally important.

THE PERSON

This role requires more than someone who can maintain a garden.

We are looking for a leader who understands that great gardens are created by great teams.

You will be:

PASSIONATE

You care deeply about plants, gardens and horticultural standards.

PROUD

You take personal responsibility for the appearance and condition of the gardens.

A LEADER

You set clear expectations, develop people and lead by example.

ORGANISED

You plan ahead, prioritise effectively and make sure things get done.

CURIOUS

You continually look for better ways of working, growing and managing the gardens.

A STEWARD

You understand that historic gardens are entrusted to us for future generations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Bedford Estates offers the opportunity to work within one of London’s most distinctive historic environments.

The gardens are not simply green spaces - they form an important part of Bloomsbury’s identity and sit alongside some of London’s most significant historic buildings and institutions. Bedford Square is described by the Estate as the only intact Georgian garden square in London.

You will have the opportunity to protect the heritage, raise horticultural standards, develop people and shape the future of the gardens.

Applicants must hold a full valid driving licence.