Head Gardener
Historic Royal Palaces wish to recruit a Keeper of the Walled Garden for Hillsborough Castle.
Status Established/Permanent
Estimated start date 1 October 2021
Salary £27,358
Salary Rate Per Annum
Days/Hours of work 36 hours per week
About the role
Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, the Banqueting House, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle. We help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society in some of the greatest palaces ever built.
Hillsborough Castle is a working Royal Residence, the base for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and a great place for the public to visit. Historic Royal Palaces’ has completed an exciting landmark project, so this exquisite and fascinating historic property is now open to everyone. The ambitious programme of conservation, re-presentation and re-imagination, has made Hillsborough Castle and Gardens a place for discovery, delight, and learning for visitors of all ages.
We are looking for an experienced, hands-on and highly skilled gardener to manage the Walled Garden, to be instrumental in its ongoing development and maintenance as a productive kitchen garden and ornamental garden.
About you
Applicants will need to have a strong background in both soft and top fruit. A proven track record in organic vegetable growing with a positive approach to interpreting the garden to a wide range of visitors is essential, as is the ability to lead team members and volunteers in managing the garden.
We would expect you to have formal qualifications that support your expertise and experience of cultivating and propagating fruit and vegetables; experience of teaching and demonstrating gardening skills to others, and experience of maintaining records with historical accuracy.
You would also need to demonstrate experience of managing and leading a team, have good knowledge of horticulture, and be competent in the operation of a wide range of horticulture machinery including telehandler, tractors, and modern equipment.
A full clean driving licence and good IT skills are essential.
Additional Information
Historic Royal Palaces is an equal opportunities employer and truly values a diverse workforce. Applications are welcome from candidates regardless of their background.
Apply now
If you are interested, please apply here.