An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and experienced Gardens Assistant to join the dedicated gardens team maintaining approximately 17 acres of stunning private estate gardens, set around a Grade I listed house within the South Downs National Park.
Wiston house is leased to Wilton Park, an executive agency of the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This remarkable site plays host to leading global figures in politics, diplomacy, business, and academia, providing a peaceful and reflective environment for high-level international dialogue. The gardens are central to this mission—offering a space where biodiversity, heritage, and political conversation coexist in harmony.
The gardens include:
* Formal lawns and herbaceous borders
* Shrub borders, extensive yew hedging and box parterre
* Orchards, cascade and ponds, and woodland areas
* A cut flower garden
* Propagation glasshouse and orangery
* Parkland and wildflower areas (being established)
The estate is managed organically where possible, with a strong focus on sustainability and ecological responsibility.
The Role
As part of a small, supportive team, you'll work across all areas of the garden, with occasional duties in the wider estate.
Duties include:
* Lawn care (using pedestrian and ride-on machinery)
* Planting and species-specific pruning
* Border and shrub maintenance
* Pest and disease monitoring (IPM-focused)
* Propagation and greenhouse care
* Machinery maintenance
* Supporting the establishment of wildflower meadows
About You
We are looking for someone with:
* Experience in managing or working within large, diverse gardens
* A real passion for horticulture and sustainable gardening
* Competence with a wide range of garden machinery
* A good level of horticultural knowledge/relevant formal qualifications
* Physical fitness and a willingness to work in all weather
* Full UK driving licence-necessary for machinery use and due to rural location/driving for business
Desirable (but not essential):
* Chainsaw certification
* PA1 & PA6 spray certificate
Purpose
Our gardening team nurtures both formal and informal spaces, helping foster discussion on the world's most pressing challenges, while honouring the estate's family roots and natural heritage.
Mission
* Growth – Cultivating people, plants, partnerships, and knowledge
* Innovation – Applying progressive, sustainable practices to support biodiversity in the face of climate change
* Resources – Using natural resources responsibly and sustainably
* Inspiration – Inspiring others through our passion and care for the natural world
* Community – Giving back through charitable events (National Garden Scheme) and supporting wider community initiatives
Values
* Gardens as places of collaboration and innovation
* A progressive, science-led approach to horticulture
* Commitment to nature, observation, and adaptation
* A passion to inspire and protect the natural world
* Celebrating and supporting community through shared effort
If you are a dedicated horticulturalist looking for a role where your work supports environmental stewardship, historical garden preservation, global conversations and expanding horticulture knowledge, we would love to hear from you.
This post is initially on a 6 month fixed term basis, with the opportunity to become permanent.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: £26,208.00-£29,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Employee discount
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Application question(s):
* Experience in managing or working within large, diverse gardens
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person