At a Glance
- Tasks: Cultivate stunning gardens and engage visitors with inspiring stories and tours.
- Company: The Newt in Somerset, a luxury country estate with captivating gardens.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, wellness perks, discounts, and up to 30 days annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and create beautiful landscapes that inspire visitors year-round.
- Qualifications: Horticultural experience, strong plant knowledge, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 29000 £ per year.
As an Ornamental Gardener within our Four Seasons Garden, you will play a vital role in maintaining and developing one of The Newt’s most captivating horticultural spaces. Working to exemplary standards, you will ensure outstanding plant health, immaculate presentation, and visitor readiness across your assigned areas. This is a hands-on role for a passionate horticulturist who thrives outdoors and takes pride in creating inspiring landscapes. Beyond plant care, you will help bring the garden to life for our visitors — sharing stories, leading tours, supporting workshops, and championing The Newt as a leading garden destination.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with the cultivation, maintenance and conservation of the Four Seasons Garden and Farmyard
- Support new planting programmes, landscaping schemes and seasonal displays
- Implement maintenance plans and pest and disease control measures
- Maintain exceptional horticultural standards across all areas
- Contribute to educational programmes, talks, tours and demonstrations
- Engage confidently with visitors, promoting the vision and heritage of The Newt
- Support estate-wide projects where horticultural expertise is required
- Ensure safe use and care of machinery, tools and chemicals in line with H&S procedures
What we can offer
- A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
- Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
- Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
- Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
- Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
- Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
- Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
- Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
- Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
- We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
- Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
- A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
- Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.
What we're looking for
- Previous horticultural experience in a comparable environment
- Strong plant knowledge and understanding of modern gardening techniques
- Competent in the use of garden machinery and hand tools
- Physically capable and comfortable working outdoors year-round
- High attention to detail and commitment to exceptional standards
- Clear, confident communication skills with a visitor-focused approach
- Well organised with strong time management skills
- Full UK Driving Licence
Where you'll be working
The Four Seasons Garden is one of our newest gardens, opened over two years ago. It celebrates each of the individual seasons as visitors immerse themselves through spring, summer, autumn and winter in sequence. It’s a true plantsman’s garden, showcasing a diverse range of plants maintained to a high horticultural standard. The team works with climbers, topiary, trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and annuals. The garden is located next to the Farmyard Hotel and caters extensively to hotel guests as well as our regular members.
Who are we – The Newt in Somerset
Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions – accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams – from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming – collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.
Ornamental Gardener Ornamental Gardens at The Newt in Somerset Castle Cary £27,000-£29,000 per [...] employer: The Newt in Somerset
The Newt in Somerset is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth for its employees. With generous benefits including complimentary access to wellness facilities, a supportive Employee Assistance Programme, and opportunities for recognition through the Newt Awards, team members are encouraged to thrive in a collaborative environment while cultivating stunning gardens that inspire visitors year-round.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ornamental Gardener Ornamental Gardens at The Newt in Somerset Castle Cary £27,000-£29,000 per [...]
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like The Newt in Somerset.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like The Newt in Somerset.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at The Newt in Somerset; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Ornamental Gardener Ornamental Gardens at The Newt in Somerset Castle Cary £27,000-£29,000 per [...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at The Newt in Somerset.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Ornamental Gardener Ornamental Gardens at The Newt in Somerset Castle Cary £27,000-£29,000 per [...].
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what The Newt in Somerset is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at The Newt in Somerset a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Newt in Somerset
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at The Newt in Somerset might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
