Overview
A Private Estate in Preston Candover (near Basingstoke) are seeking an experienced and inspirational Head Gardener to lead the care, planning, and development of the gardens and grounds of a private estate. This is a unique opportunity for a knowledgeable horticulturalist and proven people leader to make a lasting impact on a cherished and beautiful garden.
The Role
By leading and engaging a small garden team you will be responsible for ensuring around 8 acres of a much loved and beautiful private garden are maintained to the highest standard and evolve in line with the principals wishes and vision. To achieve this your duties will include:
* Conducting regular walk-arounds with the Principal to discuss the garden and development ideas or requests.
* Planning and managing all annual garden resource requirements, including plants, seeds, tools, equipment, and staffing.
* Leading, motivating, and developing the Garden Team, including appraisals, training plans, and clear communication of objectives.
* Recruiting and overseeing additional staff when required, with budget approval.
* Monitoring costs, managing budgets, and ensuring efficient resource use.
* Ensuring safe working practices, training, and upkeep of all garden equipment and machinery.
* Overseeing the care and propagation of plants, including the kitchen garden, herbaceous borders, lawns, hedges, orchards, fruit bushes, and indoor/outdoor displays.
* Liaising with the Principal and Cook/Housekeeper to ensure the kitchen garden provides the requested produce and cut flowers for the household.
* Overseeing the maintenance of greenhouses, the lake, and the swimming pool.
* Managing watering and weekend rotas, including participation when required.
* Ensuring environmentally responsible composting and garden waste management.
The role is 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday and will require occasional weekend input and on-call emergency contact cover as well as flexibility to meet seasonal demands. If accommodation is taken up as part of the role you will be required to be part of a weekend watering and garden duty rota.
About You – Essential requirements
We are looking for someone who combines strong leadership with hands-on horticultural expertise:
* Proven experience managing and developing a team in a horticultural environment, ideally within a large private or estate garden.
* Broad plant knowledge and practical gardening skills across formal, productive, and ornamental settings with RHS Level 2 or higher (or equivalent).
* Organised, proactive, and confident in managing budgets and resources.
* Excellent communicator with the ability to build strong working relationships.
* A passion for delivering gardens of outstanding quality and presentation.
* Physically fit and able to support your team by performing all general gardening tasks (in all weathers).
* Strong understanding of Health and Safety regulations including pesticide application & COSHH
* PA1 and PA6 would be advantageous
* A friendly, positive and flexible approach
* An existing right to work in the UK.
* Full, clean UK recognised Driving Licence and confident ability to drive work vehicles and operate usual garden machinery.
Package & Benefits
* Salary of up to £45,000 per annum (live-out) – Up to £40,000 (live-In) DOE
* Accommodation (3 bedroom house) within the beautiful village of Preston Candover is available with this position. The village benefits from good local schools.
* 24 days holiday a year (plus Bank Holidays)
* Support for Training and Development.
* 2 weeks Company Sick Pay (after Probation)
* A beautiful place to work and a supportive team
* The chance to work in a beautiful private setting with a high level of autonomy and influence.
A start date of mid-November is desirable to include a week handover with the current Head Gardener.
To apply:
Please send your CV and a portfolio of photographs (if possible) showing gardens you have managed to date as well as:
* whether you are interested in accommodation as part of the package (or not)
* when you’d be available to start
* two professional references will be taken up after interview and prior to a start.
Closing date for applications: Sunday, 5th October 2025.
Interviews will be in October shortly after the closing date.
If you would like to discuss the role before applying please call Natalie at New Forest HR on 07802 626128 (weekdays).
This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.
For more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild and the Royal Horticultural Society, please see the respective organisations.
For more gardener roles please click here
Tagged as: hampshire, head gardener, horticulture, people leader
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