Gardening

If you have a passion for plants and a creative flair, we’ve got just the job for you. As a National Trust gardener, you’ll be surprised how many opportunities you’ll have to perfect planting, bring new ideas, and share your enthusiasm imaginatively with others. There will always be something new to learn whilst you grow your career with us!

From the world famous to the walled kitchen gardens, 11 million people visit our green spaces every year. Our plants are as much a part of our historic collections as the paintings in the houses we look after. And joining us in Gardening, you’ll help to develop, maintain and keep gardens special – whatever the weather. This could mean finding the best ways of presenting plants, safeguarding habitats or growing gorgeous ingredients to be used in our kitchens, and lots more. With precious plants from across the world and lots of rare historic blooms collected over the last 400 years, these are gardening opportunities like no other.

This isn’t just heads-down horticulture either. Bringing gardens to life and sharing their stories is an important part of these roles. You’ll use your enthusiasm to inspire visitors, explaining all about what’s growing and what you’re doing. We host a number of exciting gardening events too, which we’ll get you involved in. Our gardening teams have a world-class reputation for their excellent standards and innovative approaches. And here, you’ll do wonders for our green spaces and we’ll give you all the training you need to succeed.

Typical roles

We have lots of different opportunities in Gardening, across our special places, regional and central offices and outdoor spaces. These include Senior Gardener, Assistant Head Gardener, Garden and Outdoors Manager, Seasonal Outdoors Assistant, Seasonal Garden Assistant – and that’s just to name a few.

Head Gardener

A skilled horticulturalist with a passion for plants, you’ll manage gardening staff and volunteers to ensure that our grounds and gardens leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Assistant Gardener

You’ll make sure that all our gardens and grounds are beautifully presented and immaculately looked after, sharing your love of outdoor spaces with visitors.

Garden Consultant

Passionate about the gardens we care for, you’ll provide our gardening teams with practical support and guidance in all aspects of horticulture and plantsmanship design.

The things we do for you

We want you to learn, discover and develop your career. And we’ll do everything we can to offer you the training, support and development that you need to achieve your goals. This could, for example, include helping you to study for a professional qualification appropriate to your career, trying something new or moving into a different business area. We’ll work with you to plan your development in a way that’s right for your needs.

Investing in you

Induction. Your learning in the Trust starts with your induction. Whatever role you're here to do we'll explain what to expect, show you where to go and make sure you understand your new environment before you get going.

Personal career progression development programme. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to development. Tailored to you our ‘Grow Your Own Career’ approach is in place to help you identify where you see your career heading, and the best ways to get there.

Learning resources. We all learn in different ways and respond to different styles. It’s what works for you, whether that’s on-the-job training, flexible e-learning or one-to-one support. And in an organisation of our size and diversity, there’s plenty of room to develop and places to go.

Future Engage and Deliver leadership programme. If you’re in a management role we’ll support you to become a better leader through our ‘Future Engage and Deliver’ leadership programme. The programme is designed to make sure you’re well-equipped with the skills and confidence to lead your teams to deliver our plans.

Professional subscriptions. If you need to hold a qualification for your role, from either a legal or professional point of view, we’ll cover the cost of your membership fee. We’ll need to see that it’s part of your continuous professional development, though.

Employee volunteering. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the National Trust and many other charities. That's why we'll give you every opportunity to get involved with some volunteering outside the Trust. It's also a brilliant way to try new things, learn new skills and meet new people. So we'll give you up to five paid days per year to do your bit.

Secondments. Secondments are an excellent way for you to gain and practise new skills in real life situations, preparing you for a potential next career move. They usually last from three to 12 months – ideal for temporary or project roles.

Gardening people

Susan

Head Gardener

I couldn’t imagine doing anything else other than gardening. I have a real passion for plants and colour and the spaces I work in are beautiful. I also love the fact that I’m able to preserve something that people can enjoy for generations to come.