Head of Gardens

Wolterton and Mannington Hall Estates 

 This is a prestigious role, requiring a highly qualified and experienced Head Gardener, or someone with the demonstratable capability to take on a role requiring such expertise.

The role offers a career defining opportunity for someone wishing to make a significant impact on the gardens of two recently reacquired and historically connected estates in beautiful North Norfolk.

Grade 1 Listed Wolterton Hall, one of the four great Whig ‘power houses’ in Norfolk, was constructed by Horatio Walpole between 1724 and 1730. Set within 460 acres of picturesque parkland, featuring a newly dredged 10-acre lake, and one of the largest walled gardens in Norfolk.

Grade 1 Listed Mannington Hall, built in 1460 and acquired by Horatio Walpole in 1730 to expand his estate, offers a captivating setting rich in its sense of place, with its water filled moat and once renowned flower gardens, the cherished passion of the late Lord Robin Walpole.

Our family has now reunited these exceptional properties, breathing new life into both the Halls and their gardens; valuing nature and wildlife core to their values.

Mannington gardens are open to the public during summer, and events are regularly hosted on both Estates. The Wolterton walled garden will provide vegetables, fruit, and flowers for the Halls. Additionally, we aim to utilise the gardens for therapeutic purposes and foster community involvement. There is an opportunity to contribute in the imaginative planning and development of both estates.

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Head Gardener with creativity, vision, passion, and boundless energy, ready to leave their mark on the gardens. The ideal candidate will be a natural leader, planner, and organiser capable of inspiring staff and visitors alike. The Head Gardener will oversee a substantial budget and adhere to all health & safety regulations. Appropriate qualifications such as RHS Level 3 are desirable. Essential attributes include reliability, flexibility, excellent communication skills, and a personable nature to integrate seamlessly with our busy executive team.

We offer a competitive and loyalty based package aligned with PGG salary guidelines for the grade of Gardens Manager, (https://www.pgg.org.uk/salaries-and-rates-guidelines-2025/) with additional potential to stretch to attract an outstanding candidate. Accommodation is available if required. Access to an estate vehicle and a discretionary bonus for strong performance is also possible.

Please apply by sending your CV and a brief letter of interest to Michael Walker

nationalgardensspecialist@gmail.com