Historic Garden Craft Gardener – Lead Horticulture Team

EF Education First / Hult; Dacorum; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days paid holiday including bank

Staff meals on duty

On-site gym & pool access

Company pension scheme

Healthcare schemes

Free on-site parking

Job summary

EF Education First / Hult seeks a Craft Gardener for Ashridge House to lead seasonal garden work, manage propagation, and oversee nursery production in historic surroundings. You’ll mentor staff and ensure sustainable practices across a Grade II* listed site.

The role requires 3-5 years of supervisory experience, horticultural expertise, and a chainsaw licence. It is a full-time, on-site position with weekend rotation at Ashridge House in Hertfordshire.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in a supervisory role within a historic garden open to the public.
• Full driving licence required.
• Excellent horticultural knowledge, including glasshouse propagation.
• Chainsaw licence CS30/31/32 required.
• Confident in operating and maintaining garden machinery.
• Experience in people management, training and mentoring.
• Understanding of H&S and COSHH, and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Prioritise and implement seasonal maintenance of the Formal Gardens (beds, borders, lawns, trees, hedges, shrubs, roses).
• Assist in organising landscaping and planting schemes.
• Operate and maintain garden tools, machinery, and vehicles including hired equipment.
• Ensure sustainable irrigation system management.
• Coordinate propagation in glasshouses and coldframes.
• Manage nursery stock propagation and liaise with suppliers; maintain records.
• Ensure safe, appropriate use of pesticides and herbicides with record keeping.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Full driving licence

Horticultural knowledge

Glasshouse propagation

Chainsaw licence CS30/31/32

People management

H&S and COSHH awareness

Tools

Garden machinery operation

Job description

EF Education First / Hult seeks a Craft Gardener for Ashridge House to lead seasonal garden work, manage propagation, and oversee nursery production in historic surroundings. You’ll mentor staff and ensure sustainable practices across a Grade II* listed site.

The role requires 3-5 years of supervisory experience, horticultural expertise, and a chainsaw licence. It is a full-time, on-site position with weekend rotation at Ashridge House in Hertfordshire.