A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly capable Head Gardener to take the lead role within the gardens of a stunning 500-acre private family estate in Oxfordshire.

At the heart of the role is the management and development of an exceptional one-acre walled garden, a true showpiece of the estate. The walled garden supplies the main house year-round with fresh produce and cut flowers and is both highly productive and beautifully designed. It incorporates elegant entertaining areas, a traditional rose garden, and two working glasshouses. One glasshouse is dedicated to crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies, while the second houses a small but carefully curated plant collection used for floral displays throughout the estate.

In addition to the walled garden, the Head Gardener will have responsibility for a further five acres of formal gardens, ornamental borders and carefully planned planting schemes surrounding the main house. These gardens are maintained to an exceptionally high standard and evolve continuously throughout the seasons, offering real scope for creativity, development and long-term stewardship. The gardens are constantly evolving, with the estate actively investing in their future. Innovation is encouraged, whether through new planting schemes, improved growing techniques or sustainable practices.

The successful candidate will be an experienced Head Gardener with a proven background in high-end private estates. You will manage a small team of two experienced, gardeners and work hands-on across all aspects of garden maintenance and development. This includes mowing, hedge cutting, planting, pruning, glasshouse management and general upkeep, ensuring the estate is presented to the highest standard at all times.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent organisational skills and a practical, hands-on approach. You will be expected to plan workloads, manage staff, oversee the safe use and maintenance of garden machinery and equipment, and ensure that all workspaces are kept clean, safe and well organised. Experience with tractors and garden machinery is essential, and PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates would be advantageous.

While not essential, an artistic flair and experience with house flowers, floral arrangements and decorative displays would be a welcome bonus. A willingness to work at height is required for certain estate tasks, and previous experience in kitchen gardening, fruit and flower production would be highly beneficial.

The role comes with a two-bedroom cottage on the estate, provided rent-free. Council tax and water are covered, with all other utilities paid by the Head Gardener.

This is a full-time, permanent, live-in position, working Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm with one hour for lunch. Flexibility is required to support occasional out-of-hours work associated with events and private functions.

SALARY:        £40,000 + Accommodation

LOCATION:  Nr Greenfields, Oxfordshire

JOB No:          EC70607

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply below or email Jay Rimell on info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk OR call to speak to Jay on on 01233 733510. 

To apply for these roles you will need a Candidate Registration.

To find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: Greenfields, head gardener, Oxfordshire