The gardens of the Somerset based country estate hotel, are nestled within a myriad of intriguing visitor attractions, including a museum of gardening history, reimagined Roman Villa, a Bee-zantium, restaurants and hotel. Open to the public all year round, over 250,000 visitors visit the Newt annually.
The Newt was restored and launched in 2019 by South African power couple Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, known for their successful working-farm hotel, the Babylonstoren. The hotel is the result of exceptional restoration and revival of crafts, skills, and techniques, which creates a unique visitor experience that is both engaging and educational. Not surprisingly therefore, the Newt has made a name for itself as the great garden escape, winning multiple awards.
The sprawling gardens are at the core of the generous estate set in acres of ancient woodland, cider orchards, arboretum, edible gardens, nurseries and farmland. Designed to be both productive and ornamental, the gardens designed by Italian-French architect Patrice Taravella, are “a feast for the eyes and stomach” – and created to be sustainable.
The job of a lifetime, the Newt in Somerset is aiming to become the most exciting garden in England and they need a Head Gardener to lead the team to fulfil that goal. 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. The Newt provided a short video about the role and the gardens for applicants.
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.
If you have these skills, experience and energy to make the garden flourish, they require (including a CV) a short video in which you explain why you are at the right candidate and as they put it be allowed to “put our most treasured possession in your hands”.
- Position: Full Time
- Salary: Competitive salary
- Location: Hadspen, Bruton, Castle Cary BA7 7NG, UK
- Application closes on Wednesday, 15th of May 2024
Full job and application details here. Best of luck to all applying…