Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate gardening team to maintain and enhance stunning gardens on a beautiful estate.
- Company: Join a prestigious private estate known for its rich horticultural heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and potential accommodation.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a creative role surrounded by nature and history.
- Qualifications: Must have horticulture qualifications and experience at Head Gardener level.
- Other info: Full-time position with a supportive team and opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head Gardener to join a small team on a beautiful private estate surrounding a 17th‑century manor house near the market town of Thame. The position has become vacant due to the retirement of the incumbent Head Gardener who has worked at the estate for 18 years. The gardens and wider estate are rich and diverse, reflecting both traditional and contemporary styles. Features include a formal parterre, a walled kitchen/cutting garden with a large Alitex greenhouse at its heart, a pool garden, wide deep borders, a formal rose garden, topiary, and formal and informal water features, and in the wider parkland many old specimen trees and a woodland area. The garden has also been recognised publicly, having featured in House & Garden magazine and Gardens Illustrated, and is opened to visitors through a National Garden Scheme (NGS) Open Day as well as for charitable events.
The successful candidate will take a leading role in the maintenance, development, and creative enhancement of these gardens and landscapes, working closely with the estate owners. This is a hands‑on role that would suit a knowledgeable, energetic plants person with a creative eye, excellent attention to detail, and a strong horticultural background. You will be responsible for leading a team of two gardeners and a part‑time helper (two days per week).
Key Responsibilities- Leading and mentoring the gardening team
- Kitchen and cut flower gardening, including growing a wide range of vegetables and flowers for the house
- Greenhouse and propagation (Alitex greenhouse used for overwintering, propagation, and growing tomatoes, aubergines, peppers)
- Lawn care and maintenance
- Species‑specific pruning of trees and shrubs
- Ornamental border maintenance across varied planting schemes
- Maintenance of water features, including formal ponds, fountains, and a large wildlife pond with marginal plantings
- Wildflower meadow maintenance and creation
- Operating and maintaining garden machinery (including a compact tractor with loader)
- Care of trained fruit trees, wall shrubs, hedges, and topiary
- General woodland and parkland management
- Experienced at Head Gardener level
- Qualified in horticulture (minimum Level 3)
- Competent in both ornamental and productive gardening
- Highly organised, self‑motivated, and proactive
- Trustworthy and respectful of a private family environment
- Flexible with a positive, can‑do attitude
Location: Private Estate near Thame (Bucks/Oxon Border)
Hours: Full‑time, permanent position – Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Benefits: 20 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, pension scheme
Accommodation could be provided for the successful applicant and will be discussed upon submission of an application.
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to: Philip Kusmishko, Head Gardener – phil@tythrop.co.uk
Head Gardener – Live In / Live Out employer: ECG Limited
Contact Detail:
ECG Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Gardener – Live In / Live Out
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the estate before your interview! Take a stroll around the gardens if you can, and familiarise yourself with the different features. This will not only impress the owners but also help you come up with creative ideas to enhance their beautiful space.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your horticultural skills during the interview! Bring along a portfolio of your previous work, including photos of gardens you've designed or maintained. This visual evidence will speak volumes about your experience and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your leadership style! Since you'll be leading a small team, share examples of how you've mentored others in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and inspire your team to achieve great results in the garden.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Gardener – Live In / Live Out
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your horticultural skills and creativity. We want to see how you can bring the gardens to life!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in leading teams and managing diverse garden styles. We appreciate when applicants take the time to connect their background with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We value clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Head Gardener position!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ECG Limited
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, their care, and how you would approach maintaining the diverse gardens mentioned in the job description. This shows your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading a small team, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or mentored others in previous roles. Highlight your ability to motivate and organise a team, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Be Creative with Solutions
Think about innovative ideas you could bring to enhance the estate's gardens. Whether it's new planting schemes or maintenance techniques, being able to present fresh ideas will demonstrate your creative eye and proactive attitude.
✨Understand the Estate's History
Familiarise yourself with the estate's background and its recognition in publications like House & Garden. Showing that you appreciate the history and significance of the gardens will resonate well with the estate owners.