Live out Head Gardener, nr Winchester £40k gross pa

Head Gardener / Groundsman / Handyman

Private Family Estate near Winchester, Hampshire

Full-time | Live-out | Permanent | £35,000–£40,000 depending on experience

An excellent opportunity for an experienced, hands-on Head Gardener to take responsibility for a beautiful 20-acre private family estate in the Hampshire countryside.

The estate features established and developing gardens, lawns, mature woodland, fruit trees, vegetable-growing areas, animal paddocks and a substantial lake. With significant investment planned in planting, landscaping, irrigation and machinery, this is an exciting opportunity for someone to help shape and develop the grounds long term.

The Role

The successful candidate will oversee the day-to-day maintenance and development of the gardens and wider estate, including:

• Horticultural planning, planting, pruning, propagation and maintaining beds, borders and lawns.
  
• Developing productive fruit, vegetable and herb gardens to supply fresh produce for the household.
  
• Managing fruit trees, hedges, woodland, paddocks and the lake’s surrounding areas.
  
• Composting, soil improvement, irrigation and encouraging biodiversity.
  
• Operating and maintaining garden machinery and undertaking general groundskeeping, handyman and estate maintenance tasks.
  
• Organising part-time gardening assistance and overseeing contractors where required.
  

This is a practical, hands-on position requiring someone who can work independently, plan seasonally, identify what needs doing and proactively suggest improvements. Specialist contractors will be engaged where necessary.

The Ideal Candidate

You will have excellent horticultural knowledge and experience managing substantial private gardens or estates, with a genuine passion for plants, productive growing and working outdoors.

RHS Level 3 or equivalent is desirable, alongside machinery experience and a full UK driving licence. PA1/PA6, chainsaw or tractor qualifications would be beneficial.

Trustworthiness, discretion, initiative and excellent references are essential. We are looking for someone practical, reliable and keen to take pride in developing the estate over the long term.

Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with some weekend work required.

Interviewing now to start January 2027