The Newt in Somerset wants to become the most exciting garden in England.

We are now recruiting a Head Gardener to lead us.   

The gardens are nestled within an innovative visitor attraction, which includes, alongside the garden, a museum of gardening history, a reimagined Roman Villa, a Beezantium, restaurants and hotel. We are open to the public all year round and receive over 250,000 visitors.

Hadspen estate has evolved over three centuries, and we pay homage to this history. The diverse landscape includes ancient woodland, formal ornamental gardens, fruit tree collections, edible gardens and an arboretum, along with extensive nurseries and orchards. We celebrate every facet of this complex landscape and are determined to build a sustainable attraction.

The successful candidate needs the skill to manage a large team of gardeners with varied expertise. You will have enthusiasm to inspire, and the ability to present to an audience and to the media. Advanced horticultural training and experience of running a large garden are vital, but most of all, you will have a love of plants and digging your fingers into the soil.

This is a senior management role responsible for leading the garden planning, implementation, oversight and reporting. Annual highlights include participation in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and The Newt in Somerset Head Gardeners’ Conference.

Skills and Experience

• The enthusiasm, expertise and energy to provide the best visitor experience in the UK.
• Experience of managing a successful garden at the highest level.
• Ability to motivate and manage a large team.
• Horticultural expertise, with academic qualifications.
• Hard-working and energetic, with excellent team building skills.
• Budget ownership.
• The personality to communicate well with internal and external audiences, and the media.
• A well-organised individual.
• Adequate IT skills.
• Clean UK driving license.

What we can offer

The Newt in Somerset wants to become the most exciting garden in England.

We are now recruiting a Head Gardener to lead us.   

The gardens are nestled within an innovative visitor attraction, which includes, alongside the garden, a museum of gardening history, a reimagined Roman Villa, a Beezantium, restaurants and hotel. We are open to the public all year round and receive over 250,000 visitors.

Hadspen estate has evolved over three centuries, and we pay homage to this history. The diverse landscape includes ancient woodland, formal ornamental gardens, fruit tree collections, edible gardens and an arboretum, along with extensive nurseries and orchards. We celebrate every facet of this complex landscape and are determined to build a sustainable attraction.

The successful candidate needs the skill to manage a large team of gardeners with varied expertise. You will have enthusiasm to inspire, and the ability to present to an audience and to the media. Advanced horticultural training and experience of running a large garden are vital, but most of all, you will have a love of plants and digging your fingers into the soil.

This is a senior management role responsible for leading the garden planning, implementation, oversight and reporting. Annual highlights include participation in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and The Newt in Somerset Head Gardeners’ Conference.

Skills and Experience

• The enthusiasm, expertise and energy to provide the best visitor experience in the UK.
• Experience of managing a successful garden at the highest level.
• Ability to motivate and manage a large team.
• Horticultural expertise, with academic qualifications.
• Hard-working and energetic, with excellent team building skills.
• Budget ownership.
• The personality to communicate well with internal and external audiences, and the media.
• A well-organised individual.
• Adequate IT skills.
• Clean UK driving license.

What we can offer