As a Gardener for the National Trust, you’ll be a hands‑on member of the garden team, involved in every aspect of gardening at The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. Responsible for day‑to‑day maintenance, and the highest standards of horticulture, you’ll also play a vital role in improving the experience of visitors to the garden and wider estate.
Our Gardens are heritage sites and home to some of the most extensive plant collections in Europe. Our Gardeners are responsible for the conservation and development of plant collections and the Gardens. You’ll be a part of the team of professionals caring for all aspects of the Gardens across the portfolio.
You may be asked to work occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
What it’s like to work here
Sudbury Hall, the country home of the Lords Vernon, offers a delight of 17th‑century craftsmanship, featuring exquisite plasterwork, wood carvings and classical story‑based murals.
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury is a grade I listed Hall situated within grade II listed Gardens & Parkland. Features in the Gardens date back to 1690 with adaptations since made through the history of the Gardens. The Children’s Country House is an innovative visitor offer to encourage families to explore a heritage site through a fun experience, learning and exploring.
The Old Manor at Norbury is a medieval site with a large National Trust holiday cottage. The gardens were redeveloped in the 1970s featuring several garden designs across the property.
You may also be asked to support the portfolio, which will include Kedleston Hall. The portfolio is working towards ending unequal access, providing experiences for all while making our places welcoming for everyone.
You’ll be helping to keep the Gardens and Parkland in tip‑top condition every day. This might involve daily checks to make sure all areas are safe for people visiting, routine tasks such as weeding, pruning and mulching, and using machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors.
Other duties might include propagation, preparing plants for sale, tree safety work and garden design and restoration.
You’ll help lead a team of volunteers and support the wider team of gardeners. We’re looking for someone with a practical approach to work, leading on day‑to‑day tasks and helping to support the work we are undertaking and taking responsibility of part of the role. The role will involve physical work, we work in all weathers and use a wide variety of machinery and equipment to help us get our work done. The use of machinery and equipment is essential, but training will be provided, training new staff & volunteers will also be apart of this role.
Who we’re looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
- an enthusiastic horticulturist and hands‑on gardener, who’s worked with hard landscaping before
- knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail.
- experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, 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)
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- 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
National Trust place
Sudbury Hall, Sudbury, Ashbourne, DE6 5HT
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
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