Private Estate. Henley on Thames.
An exceptional opportunity for which we require an exceptional appointee.
We are looking for highly experienced Head of our Kitchen Garden and Ornamentals to join our team whilst we embark on a new era to further restore, develop and maintain a large private and significantly important historic garden in Henley on Thames. A wonderful opportunity to take forward an exceptional productive and ornamental formal Kitchen Garden.
This is a very responsible role, in a dynamic garden with high expectations, on a quest to provide the highest standard of horticultural presentation. The role may require deputising for the head of gardens, and for the right candidate could evolve into being Deputy Head Gardener.
The gardens were originally created in the late 1800’s and retain much of its original Victorian ingenuity, structure and unique charm. Much of its restoration was carried out during the late 20th century.
The exceptional gardens contain a diverse range of plants within a variety of areas including a productive walled kitchen garden providing flowers, fruit and ornamentals together with traditional glass houses. There are Japanese lakeside areas, woodland and topiary gardens together with more formal areas with parterres, shrub and perennial borders. The gardens also boast the largest significant historical rockery in England.
Innovation and creativity will be encouraged and supported coupled with a ‘whole team’ approach enabling a happy, highly dynamic and effective team to deliver the highest levels of horticultural standards.
Responsibilities
The full time and permanent role of Head Kitchen Gardener is a key role within the whole team structure. The Head Kitchen Gardener will have departmental responsibility within the kitchen garden and related areas and at times may also be involved in the wider areas of the garden as a collaborative member of the whole team.
Primary responsibilities are to lead the Kitchen Garden and related areas with the support of a full-time existing craft gardener. The kitchen garden is both ornamental and productive with a number of traditional glass houses including a temperate ornamental display house. There is plenty of opportunity for creative flair coupled with the challenge to maintain the garden to the highest of standards throughout the year whilst maintaining organic principles.
Main areas of responsibility
Walled Garden – Productive, flowers, ornamental, fruit and glass
Botanical rooms – Ornamental seasonal displays
Productive - Supply of fresh seasonal produce, cut flowers with plant propagation
This is a highly skilled role with significant responsibility. The role will have line management responsibility and supervision of the Craft Gardeners, Gardeners, Trainees and Apprentices. This role requires significant experience of working in a responsible role in a historic and/or botanical garden; ideally with a blend of formal training to RHS level 3 or demonstrate the equivalent. The Head Kitchen Gardener will be expected to work and think proactively in order to help set and deliver results in a high performance environment.
Effective and professional communication and cooperation with all other members of the garden and wider teams is essential. Equally all members of the team must behave with respect and with discretion for all those who live at, or whom may be visiting guests to the estate.
All members of the team are expected to support a work culture which is flexible, friendly, respectful, professional, and safe at all times.
Salary will reflect local market salaries and cost of accommodation, providing an exceptional package circa £45k - £70k for an exceptional candidate.
Please send a copy of your CV and a letter of application to our consultant recruiter, Michael Walker at
nationalgardensspecialist@gmail.com
