Meet Martin

Behind the wonderful grounds here at PMG is Martin Chesterton, our Head Gardener.

Martin has been part of PMG since October 2015, and alongside his dedicated team, continues to develop and care for the beautiful surroundings you see today. Good ground maintenance is as much about patience as it is about skill, something Martin understands instinctively.

Martin has worked in horticulture since leaving school in 1987. He began his career on golf courses and sports turf before moving into gardening six years later. Since 1997, he has held positions as either Head Gardener or Supervisor, working across London and the South at a range of sites including highly prestigious private gardens in Central London and an historic 34-acre estate near Bishops Waltham.

He later spent six years in contract management for the two largest horticultural companies in the UK, working on large national contracts for blue-chip clients. During this time, Martin was proud to win a highly prestigious BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) award for garden improvements at the worldwide headquarters of a major telecommunications company. Despite this varied and accomplished career, Martin says his ‘time at PMG has been the most rewarding and fulfilling of all’. That sense of care and long-term thinking is evident in how our gardens have matured and taken shape over the past 25 years.

Regularly, Martin will be sharing with you seasonal reflections, practical insights and the quieter moments of life in the gardens.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply curious about the natural rhythms that shape the space around your loved ones, these posts will offer an honest look at the work, decisions and thinking that happen behind the scenes.

A little bit extra about Martin …when not tending to the gardens!

Originally from Essex, Martin moved to Portsmouth in 2000 after meeting his wife, Jackie, on one of his two overland trips across Africa. Outside of his work, he enjoys the outdoors and long-distance walking, having completed three multi-day National Trails walks in England and Scotland. More recently, he completed a trekking trip to the Everest region of Nepal, spending many days above 5,000 metres in altitude!

Martin and Jackie both enjoy independent travel, immersing themselves straight into the heart of local life, exploring the more interesting corners of the world. This year, Martin also has two half marathons planned, one in Berlin and one in Copenhagen, so you may well spot him running around Portsmouth as the training builds up!

We’re delighted to introduce you to Martin and look forward to sharing his observations and experiences from the garden in the months ahead.