Gardens and Parks

Every garden is a story. This is your chance to tell it.

When people think of the National Trust they often think of our heritage. But most people don’t realise how much innovation it takes to make heritage last. Our gardeners do. Because they’re the ones driving it. That’s where you come in. Some of our gardens have hundreds of years of history, and we’re looking for the people who want to shape the next hundred.

We hire gardeners with all levels of experience to join our 700-strong team looking after some of Britain’s’ most-loved places. Our gardens vary from the world famous to lesser known but highly cherished. But each one has its own story and you’ll help tell the next chapter of yours to some of the 24 million visitors we receive every year.

This is your chance to work on gardens that are seen and loved. You’ll be supported by a community of colleagues and have the responsibility, training and opportunities to cultivate your craft. You’ll draw on the up to 500 years of horticultural technique, and the latest innovations and thinking, to do work you’re truly proud of.

Come and see where you could take our gardens, and where they could take you. Come and write the next chapter.

Typical roles

We have lots of different opportunities across our gardens and parklands, including National Specialist, Gardens and Outdoors Manager, Head Gardener, Senior Gardener and Gardener.

Head Gardener

As a skilled horticulturist with good plant knowledge and leadership skills, you’ll manage a team of gardening staff and volunteers to care for at least one garden, making sure it has a strong spirit of place and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Gardener

Working within a team of gardening staff and volunteers, you’ll usually be responsible for the presentation of at least one area of a garden, whilst having the opportunity to build a wide range of new skills, supported by your colleagues.

Apprentice Gardener

Working in a team you’ll be based at one main garden carrying out a variety of tasks over the year. The structured programme pairs training and development with varied hands-on practical experience in a variety of landscapes.

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

Juliet

Propagator

I work as a propagator for the Plant Conservation Centre where we propagate rare and important plants to help conserve our living collections. I’ve also worked as a Gardener and Senior Gardener for the National Trust. Every day is different and varied which has helped me develop a wide range of skills. I love working for an organisation which embodies my ethics and is working towards positive change in so many areas. I feel privileged to be able to work in and with nature and to be able to help preserve so many beautiful and important landscapes.
Heather

Assistant National Specialist for Garden Methods & Training

What other job would allow me to indulge my joint passions of nurturing plants and people? I love sharing the power of learning to raise ambition and change lives. I started out as a science teacher before retraining as a Gardener and more recently as a Garden and Outdoor manager. Now leading for training for gardeners has allowed me to bring my experiences together, creating opportunities that help our gardeners to thrive in the beautiful gardens and parks we look after.
Olly

Head Gardener

Each day I come to work there is always something new to learn, discover and experience. I am extremely fortunate to work alongside such talented, experienced, and friendly people in my team and across the wider property. My role is to line manage the Garden Team, oversee the work they do in their individual areas, helping to conserve what is there as well as to plan and adapt the garden for the future. I am also a member of the Property Leadership Team assisting with property management and planning, ensuring that this place can be experienced for both present and future generations.
Michael

Senior Gardener

I started out as Assistant Gardener and worked up to Senior Gardener. The skills I have learned along the way I now use day in, day out. I enjoy working with volunteers and fellow colleagues and sharing my experiences with them to develop their experience. In particular: looking after a National Collection, planning projects, mentoring apprentices and maintaining a garden to a high standard. To look after all these wonderful places and to be able to share it with the public gives real job satisfaction.