Head Gardener – Vacancy

About the Role:

My wife & I are looking for a head gardener to work at our family home near Tilford, Surrey. The successful candidate will take over from a much-loved gardener who has looked after the property for 40 years and is now looking to reduce his hours, so there’s a real chance to learn the grounds properly before taking full responsibility.

This is a hands-on, varied role suited to someone who genuinely loves being outdoors and takes pride in a well-run garden — from formal lawns and borders to a productive vegetable garden, a small orchard, plus livestock (just a few chickens & pigs!) and general estate maintenance.

There is a full time maintenance employee on site and a part-time gardener who will be on hand to assist.

Key Responsibilities:

Overall care and maintenance of approximately 10 acres of garden and grounds, including borders, lawns, trees and hedges

Management of the vegetable garden, including planning, planting, and harvesting produce

There is small orchard we would be interested in growing (so in time pruning, pest management, and harvest)

Feeding and general welfare checks of the chickens and pigs kept on the property

Fencing, hedging, and other manual estate maintenance tasks

Operating and maintaining garden machinery and tools (mowers, strimmers, chainsaws, etc.) safely and to a good standard

Seasonal planning — planting schedules, mulching, pruning, lawn care programmes

Managing supplies, ordering materials/plants as needed, and keeping basic records of work carried out

You will be required to lead a small team of the maintenance man and part time gardener to ensure smooth day to day running of all operations

Liaising with the family on priorities, projects, and any additional contractors (e.g. tree surgeons)

About You:

Substantial experience as a Head Gardener on a large private estate or similar-sized property

Strong all-round horticultural knowledge — lawns, borders, vegetable gardens, and fruit growing

Practical, hands-on approach to help with fencing, hedging, and general manual estate work

Comfortable with animal care

Competent and safe use of garden machinery and power tools; relevant certifications (e.g. chainsaw, PA1/PA6 for spraying) desirable

A full, clean UK driving licence

Self-motivated and able to manage own workload and communicate with the family

Genuine passion for gardens and the outdoors, with pride in maintaining a high standard year-round

What’s Offered:

Full-time, permanent position

Salary:  from £40k per annum dependent on experience

Live out

Holiday allowance of 25 days per annum

This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.

If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here

For more gardener roles please click here

Tagged as: full time, head gardener, Live Out, near tilford in surrey, Private Advert