Head Gardener - Quarr Abbey

Job Posted: 12 January 2026

• Contract Term: Fixed Term
• Location: Ryde, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: £33,000 - £35,000
• Industries: Horticulture

Head Gardener

One year fixed term - with potential to become a permanent contract

37.5 hours a week Monday-Friday

£33,000 - £35,000 a year

We are seeking a candidate for the role of Head Gardener at Quarr Abbey. The Head Gardener is responsible for the leadership, and operational delivery of our gardens/estate, staff and volunteers. The Abbey is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with an SSSI and a scheduled ancient monument. The site contains both public and private gardens, orchards, farm land, woodland and copses, with a grade 1 listed building and a medieval Abbey ruins. This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic, historic Island location, with a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. This is a hands-on position with need for an experienced horticulturalist, with good knowledge in all aspects of maintaining an estate. The role requires balancing the day-to-day gardens/estate work with the administrative and managerial duties. Works carried out by the gardens team include: General gardening duties, planting, lawn care, production of fruit and vegetables, landscaping, grounds maintenance, path repairs, producing plants for sale, tree work and firewood processing, fencing, ditching and drainage etc.

It is essential you will have:

• 3 years experience within a similar role
• Proven leadership or senior-level experience
• Excellent communication and organisational skills to lead and manage staff/volunteers to maintain and improve the gardens/estate
• Be self-motivated, with excellent attention to detail, to plan and implement works and projects
• Relevant horticultural, landscaping, estate maintenance, managerial experience and knowledge
• Competence with a wide range of tools and practises
• Experience in how to use and maintain a wide range of vehicles/machinery
• Sound understanding of health and safety requirements
• Be physically fit to carry out all outdoor duties
• Willingness to develop skills and gain new experience
• The attributes to best represent Quarr Abbey to Guests and visitors

Licence/certification:

• Full UK driving licence (required)
• Chainsaw certification (preferred)

Benefits include:

• Additional holidays with long service
• Staff discount
• A simple lunch provided if necessary
• Opportunities for future personal development

Please send your application with a covering letter and CV to: [email protected]

Application deadline: 26/1/26

All applicants must have a sensitivity to the history and culture of Quarr Abbey