Glyn Jones is leaving Hidcote Manor Garden after 16 years of leading the gardens team.
He is going to be Head of Gardens for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon looking after five gardens in and around the town.
It was, he said, a big decision to leave Hidcote and the National Trust, where he has worked for 29 years, but he was looking forward to the new challenge, which he begins on February 1.
“It took me a while to make my mind up, as I really love Hidcote,” he said, “but I’m really excited.”
A turning point was his year-long secondment in 2014 to the National Trust’s Dyffryn Gardens in Wales where he was responsible for writing a management plan.
“I learnt a lot at Dyffryn last year. I came alive and really loved it.”
During his time at Hidcote he has overseen a 10-year project to rejuvenate the garden and restore Lawrence Johnston’s original features, including covered alpine beds and a plant shelter for tender specimens.
“Glyn has played a pivotal role in getting Hidcote to where it is today,” said Ian Wright, the Trust’s SW gardens advisor. “He will be missed from the property as it enters its own next phase of development. We wish Glyn every success.”
The job at Stratford will involve looking after gardens with a wide range of styles, including a traditional orchard at Mary Arden’s Farm, a cottage garden at Anne Hathaway’s family home and a new garden at New Place, which is due to open in 2016, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
Glyn will head a team of eight and two apprentices, who he will help to train.
“One of my real passions is training the next generation. We’ve done so much of that at Hidcote.”
The National Trust is expected to begin the hunt for Glyn’s replacement at Hidcote in the New Year.