Lead Ornamental Gardener

Lead Gardener - Ornamental Gardens

£35,000-£40,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus bonus and fantastic benefits

Annualised hours, based on 40 hours per week across 5 days, 5 out of 7, with regular rotational weekends required.

A driving license is needed for this role

Advert closes: Tuesday 30th June 2026

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Lead, inspire and grow a talented ornamental gardening team while shaping some of Britain’s most exciting gardens.

Our Lead Gardener - Ornamental Gardens

As Lead Gardener, you will play a key role in supporting the Head of Ornamentals with the day-to-day leadership of the Ornamental Gardens team. This is a hands-on leadership role, balancing excellent horticultural standards with clear team coordination, coaching and communication. You will help organise daily and seasonal workloads, guide Ornamental Gardeners in their work, support their development, and ensure the team has the direction, resources and confidence needed to deliver outstanding gardens for our members, guests and visitors.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Ornamentals with the daily leadership, organisation and smooth running of the Ornamental Gardens team
• Supervise and guide Ornamental Gardeners, ensuring clear direction, effective communication and consistent standards across the team
• Coordinate daily, weekly and seasonal workloads, allocating tasks and priorities in line with garden needs, projects and estate activity
• Motivate, coach and support team members, helping to build confidence, develop skills and encourage a positive, collaborative team culture
• Deputise for the Head of Ornamentals when required, helping to maintain team momentum and operational continuity
• Take responsibility for a designated garden area, leading by example in its maintenance, development and long-term success
• Support team training, Health & Safety compliance, risk assessments and clear communication of safe working practices
• Represent The Newt through tours, workshops, events and guest engagement when required

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we're looking for

• A Level 3 Horticultural qualification, or equivalent, or above
• Previous experience leading, supervising or coordinating a small horticultural team
• A confident, people-focused leader who can motivate, coach and develop others
• Demonstrable plantsmanship with broad ornamental plant knowledge and a strong understanding of planting design
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan workloads, prioritise tasks and keep the team working effectively
• Experience supporting Health & Safety standards, including risk assessments and compliance records
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative, hands-on approach
• A full UK driving licence

Where you'll be working

The Newt in Somerset has ancient woodland, historic gardens and far-reaching views. It is a unique destination with Hotel, Spa, Restaurants and much more. Visitors can take a tour of the gardens, deer park and cyder press, dine in the Garden Café and visit our Farm Shop. Attracting around 250,000 visitors per year, The Newt is a vibrant and thriving destination, animated throughout the seasons by special events, workshops and educational programmes.

The Ornamental Gardens form the heart of The Newt's horticultural offering. From formal gardens and seasonal displays to innovative planting schemes and significant restoration projects, the Ornamental Team is responsible for maintaining and developing some of Britain's most exciting and ambitious gardens.

As the gardens continue to evolve, the department requires strong leadership, excellent horticultural knowledge and effective operations to ensure the highest standards are achieved safely and efficiently. The Lead Gardener plays a vital role in supporting the Head of Ornamentals in the leadership, organisation and ongoing development of the gardens.

Who are we- The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.

INDURG