Skilled Gardener (Maternity Cover – 12 Months Fixed-Term)
- Company: Wych Cross Place Estate
- Closing Date: 23-02-2026
- Location: Forest Row
- Salary: £28000
- Hours: Fixed term
- Contact Title: Head of Grounds and Gardens
- Contact Name: Joaquin Llanso
- Contact Email: joaquin.llanso@wcpe.co.uk
- Contact Telephone: 01342824834
- How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role to joaquin.llanso@wcpe.co.uk. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert once a suitable candidate is identified.
Description
We are seeking a skilled and dedicated gardener to provide maternity cover within our Grounds and Gardens team at a prestigious 180-acre private estate near East Grinstead, East Sussex. The estate features stunning Grade II* listed grounds, including a 1.5-acre traditional walled kitchen garden, an orchard, extensive environmentally controlled glasshouses, formal terraces, fine lawns, diverse shrub and herbaceous borders, seasonal displays, landscaped lakes, ornamental pools, and extensive parkland and woodlands with valuable shrub and tree collections thriving in the local acidic soil.
Role Overview
This is a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave, expected to run from mid-March 2026 to mid-March 2027. You will join a close-knit team of 8 experienced gardeners, reporting to the Foreman and Head Gardener. The team manages a wide range of responsibilities, from productive and ornamental horticulture to grounds maintenance and woodland management. We welcome candidates with a versatile skill set who are prepared to contribute across various tasks as required. The primary focus during the growing season will be assisting the senior kitchen gardener in the cultivation and production of fruit and vegetables within our traditional walled kitchen garden and glasshouses. In the off-season and as needed, duties will include general groundskeeping, such as lawn care, border maintenance, and other estate-wide tasks. The role offers the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in kitchen gardening to high horticultural standards within our magnificent traditional setting.
What We Are Looking For
• Practical gardening skills and experience.
• Proficiency in operating garden machinery, all-terrain vehicles, and tractors.
• Formal horticulture qualifications and relevant certifications are advantageous but not essential.
• A team-oriented approach, dedication, professionalism, strong work ethic, and the physical fitness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
What We Offer
• Salary: £28,000 per annum (on a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract).
• Hours: 37.5 per week, with 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Overtime paid at time-and-a-half.
• Occasional out-of-hours (e.g., during peak periods or for essential watering/glasshouse duties).
• A supportive environment with ongoing training, development opportunities, and a friendly, motivated team.
• Start Date: Mid-March 2026.
Essential Requirements
• A valid full UK driving licence.
