Skip to main content

Gardener

Employer
National Trust
Location
SL6 0JA, Maidenhead
Salary
£24,000 pa
Closing date
10 Nov 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Function
Gardening Jobs
Sector
Charity & Voluntary
Seniority
Graduate & Entry-level

Job Details

If you want a career in Gardening, we can offer you some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the UK to work in as well as one of the largest plant collections in Europe.

What it's like to work here

Cliveden’s Italianate mansion, riverside setting and family-friendly events draw visitors all year round, making this property a busy location with a wide range of opportunities. There is always plenty to do at the 375-acre estate, with conservation of the Water Garden and Long Garden being two of our recent projects. The team at Cliveden is a close-knit, friendly group with a wonderful sense of community. The location is quiet, so you will need your own transport to get here.

There is a series of impressive formal gardens with far-reaching views, an abundance of bedding changes throughout the seasons and an intimate Rose Garden for those wanting a little bit of peace and tranquillity.

What you'll be doing

As a hands-on Gardener, you’ll assist in making sure that the gardens are maintained to a high standard. You’ll be passionate, enthused and knowledgeable about the varied plants within the garden. This role will include a range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conserve the garden and contribute to the delivery of projects. You will be participating in hard and soft landscaping projects and general maintenance of the garden, such as mulching, pruning, leaf clearing and weeding. You will support the team with the planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and annual bedding. You’ll be helping to cut the hedges and mow our fine lawns. You’ll also be involved in specific areas of the garden ensuring the highest standards are maintained and healthy plants are available for our visitors to enjoy.

You will also support our garden volunteers and help them make the most of their time here. You’ll be expected to interact with the public on a daily basis, answering their many questions, or to help out with gardening workshops, tours and events when needed.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you’re: 

  • trained as a professional gardener/horticulturalist with a good level of practical experience.  
  • knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail. 
  • experienced with machinery, including tractors, hedge-cutters, leaf-blowers, rotary and cylinder mowers, and with some knowledge of maintenance 
  • a driver with a full licence  
  • able to manage a demanding outdoor role  
  • good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people 
  • equally confident working within a team, with volunteers or on your own 
  • able to keep to time, plan and meet deadlines 

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• EV car lease scheme 

• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Employee assistance programme

• Free parking at most Trust places

 

Company

There's no other organisation like the National Trust. No other organisation that brings such an amazing variety of places and spaces to life.

We are a charity founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, three people who saw the importance of our nation’s heritage and open spaces, and wanted to protect them for everyone to enjoy. More than a century after we were founded, our values are still at the heart of everything we do. And we do a lot more than you might think. 

We welcome some 22.5 million visitors, from all ages and backgrounds, every year. We care for historic houses, gardens, mills, forests, castles, miles of coastline, islands, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, whole villages and even a goldmine. We also run a huge retail chain, a multi-million pound food and beverage business and much, much more. And we do all of this so that everyone can enjoy and make the most of the green spaces and beautiful places that England, Wales and Northern Ireland has to offer. 

The National Trust is described by its employee gardeners as “dynamic, supportive, inquisitive and fun”, where its beautiful places “lift your spirits naturally” and “somewhere you can expand new skills”. The organisation is currently recruiting for a number of gardening roles. 

Read more in our latest articles:

What makes the National Trust a special place to work?

Company info
Website

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert

Similar jobs