Summary
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 iconic Sissinghurst Castle Garden. You will be responsible for day‑to‑day maintenance and upholding the highest standards of horticulture, while also playing a vital role in improving the experience of visitors to the garden. You may be asked to work occasional weekends.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll garden with flair and creativity, experimenting while maintaining traditional practices. Your day‑to‑day tasks will include highest‑level flower gardening‑planting, pinching, staking, pruning, deadheading and operating machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors. You’ll help keep the garden in the spirit of Vita and Harold while adapting plantings and practices to reflect climate change and visitor expectations. You will be involved in all aspects of caring for this special place and encouraged to develop and grow your skills and knowledge.
Who we’re looking for
- An enthusiastic horticulturist and hands‑on gardener with experience in hard landscaping.
- Knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail.
- Experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, and some knowledge of maintenance.
- A driver with a full licence.
- Able to manage a demanding outdoor role.
- Good at communicating with 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.
Benefits
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% of 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 (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.
- Flexible working whenever possible.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Free parking at most Trust places.
Location
Sissinghurst, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, TN17 2AB
Documents
- Gardener – Career Level B.pdf
Requirements
Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK
Additional Information
Closing Date: 21 June 2026
Interview Date: 29 June 2026
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.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
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