Gardener jobs in Downton

Kitchen Gardener

Grow Exceptional Produce at Lainston House

Lainston House, part of the Exclusive Collection, is a stunning luxury country house hotel set within 63 acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside. Home to award-winning dining, including our renowned kitchen garden and commitment to sustainable food production, Lainston House is a place where exceptional hospitality, innovation and respect for nature come together to create unforgettable experiences for our guests.

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Kitchen Gardener to join our Grounds & Gardens team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves growing fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, and takes pride in supplying the freshest seasonal produce to our kitchens. Working closely with our gardening and culinary teams, you will help cultivate and maintain the kitchen garden, supporting our farm-to-fork philosophy and contributing to the exceptional dining experiences for which Lainston House is known.

At Lainston House, we believe in rewarding our team for their passion and dedication. As our Kitchen Gardener, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive pay
• Great rates for stays across all our hotels and 50% discount on Food & Beverage dining
• Free meals while on duty
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing resources
• Exclusive discounts and perks through Hospitality Essentials
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and internal movement within the Exclusive Collection

Key Responsibilities

As our Kitchen Gardener, you will play a vital role in cultivating and maintaining our productive kitchen garden, helping to supply fresh, seasonal produce to our award-winning kitchens. Our Kitchen Gardener will:

• Cultivate, maintain and harvest seasonal fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers within the kitchen garden.
• Carry out planting, sowing, pruning, weeding, watering, mulching and soil preparation to ensure healthy and productive growing areas.
• Work closely with chefs to understand seasonal requirements and support the supply of fresh produce to the kitchen.
• Monitor crop health, identifying and addressing pests, diseases and growing issues in line with sustainable gardening practices.
• Assist with composting, crop rotation and other environmentally responsible horticultural methods.
• Maintain glasshouses, raised beds, polytunnels and growing areas to the highest standards.
• Safely use and maintain gardening tools, machinery and equipment.
• Support the presentation of the kitchen garden as an attractive feature for guests visiting the estate.
• Follow all company policies, procedures and health & safety requirements.
• Report maintenance issues, defects or hazards to the appropriate team member.

Person Specification

You'll be a passionate, knowledgeable and hands-on Kitchen Gardener who takes pride in growing exceptional produce and maintaining high standards throughout the kitchen garden. Our Kitchen Gardener will:

• A genuine passion for growing edible crops, gardening and sustainable food production.
• Previous experience in horticulture, kitchen gardening, market gardening or a similar outdoor role is desirable.
• An interest in seasonal produce and an appreciation of farm-to-fork dining.
• Good knowledge of fruit, vegetable and herb cultivation, or a strong willingness to develop these skills.
• A positive attitude with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organisation and time management skills.
• Good communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues.
• A proactive, hands-on approach and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Reliability, attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards.
• Relevant horticultural qualifications would be advantageous but are not essential.

Whilst our Kitchen Gardener is a full time position, we would also be open to considering a job share of 2 part time contracts for this role.

Why Exclusive Collection?

We are a certified B Corp, committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. At Exclusive Collection, we champion wellbeing, progression and a culture where people who share our values can thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all individuals with the right to work in the UK. If you require any adjustments during the application process, please let us know.

If you would like to become part of the team behind one of Hampshire's most impressive kitchen gardens, helping to grow exceptional produce that inspires unforgettable dining experiences at Lainston House, we'd love to hear from you!

Apply today and join a team that celebrates creativity, teamwork and genuine care in everything we do.