Our client is seeking a versatile and skilled estate gardener and handyperson to care for a beautiful private garden located on the beautiful North Norfolk coast, close to Wells-next-the-Sea; on behalf of a welcoming and appreciative owner. We are looking for a qualified professional with strong horticultural knowledge, proven experience managing a garden independently, working well with a wider team and the flexibility to take on a range of general estate maintenance tasks as needed.

The estate spans in its entirety 25,000-acres and features a breathtaking mix of parkland, woodlands, farmland, a walled garden with greenhouses, a working kitchen garden and vineyard, coastal beach and dunes, nature reserve, and wildflower-rich meadows — making it a showcase of diverse landscapes and habitats. It combines heritage and modern rural enterprise, managing hundreds of homes and historic buildings, commercial properties, farms and conservation land, while offering leisure amenities, holiday accommodation, and visitor facilities.

The role will work as part of the overall Gardens Team, but the successful candidate will have specific responsibility for a private 8-acre garden set within an historic farming complex on the grounds of the estate. Working at the site 4 days per week, the gardens feature a small vegetable garden, rose and cutting garden, a greenhouse, deep herbaceous borders, an orchard as well as some chickens. The remaining day will be spent working with the rest of the gardening team within the gardens surrounding the main estate providing variety and the opportunity to contribute across a diverse range of landscapes.

The Gardener & Handyperson will take responsibility for the planting, maintenance, and general upkeep of the gardens. Duties include planting and maintaining trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, ground cover, and annual bedding, as well as hedge cutting and pruning. The role involves cultivating the vegetable garden, mowing lawns, watering plants, and maintaining hard surfaces, treating them when required. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the upkeep of garden structures, including sheds and greenhouses, ensuring they are tidy and in good condition. The safe and appropriate use of gardening equipment, including mowers, strimmers, and leaf blowers, is expected, as is the application of chemicals in line with Health & Safety regulations. Liaising with contractors on garden-related projects will also be part of the role.

With 80% of the role primarily focusing on gardening, the role also includes a wide range of handyperson and household duties to support the smooth running of the site. These include valeting vehicles and performing routine checks, running errands, occasional driving duties, and walking or feeding dogs as required. Additional responsibilities include replenishing log baskets and laying fires, managing waste, recycling, and compost, performing internal maintenance tasks, and liaising with the Property Maintenance team for issues beyond the household team’s capacity. The role also involves assisting with serving drinks, clearing up, and washing up during gatherings or dinner parties, ensuring the property is secure at all times, and responding to fire or security alarms. The successful candidate should be flexible and willing to undertake any other reasonable duties as required to support the estate and household operations.

The ideal candidate will have substantial practical gardening experience and a strong knowledge of plants, preferably gained within a private household or estate environment. A horticultural qualification is desirable, along with PA1 and PA6 spray certificates. Hands-on experience in maintaining gardens and a genuine passion for horticulture are essential. In addition to gardening expertise, the role requires good organisational and time management skills, a high level of attention to detail, and a commitment to working to the highest possible standards. The successful candidate will be hardworking, flexible, energetic, and trustworthy, able to take direction effectively while also demonstrating initiative when working independently. Practical maintenance and DIY skills are important, and the candidate should be able to work both as part of a team and alone when required. A clean driving licence is also essential to carry out certain duties.

On offer for the successful candidate is a 2-bedroom cottage. The cottage comes with its own garden and is unfurnished. Partners, dependents and pets are welcome. Council tax and water is covered by the client with oil and electricity being the candidate’s responsibility.

Applicants should be aware that this position is based within a rural setting. Living and working in such a location requires an appreciation for a slower, nature-connected lifestyle. A love of the outdoors is key, and those with nature-related hobbies, will find this peaceful and picturesque setting especially rewarding.

The role is 40-hours per week with holiday entitlement being 30-days, including Bank Holidays.

SALARY:        £32,000 + Accommodation

LOCATION:  Wells-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk

JOB No:          EC70449

If this vacancy is of interest, please apply below,  call Sophie Sharpe on 01233 733510 or  info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this  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: Estate Gardener, Gardener, North Norfolk