Are you an experienced gardener, now ready to discover a new garden and take on a new challenge? This might be just the role for you. If you’re a dedicated and enthusiastic horticulturist, who’s keen to make a difference, then we can offer you invaluable experience and development within one of the National Trust’s much-loved historic gardens, Cragside.
Created by William and Margaret Armstrong, this historic pleasure ground is almost 17 hectares. Its unique Formal Garden, Rock Garden, Pinetum and Valley Garden awed their guests and still wow our visitors today.
Salary: £27,612 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: You will work 37.5 hours per week, from Sunday to Thursday. You will also be part of the duty manager rota, supporting daily operations across the property to help ensure a smooth and safe visitor experience.
What it’s like to work here
Cragside is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North East, welcoming around 250,000 every year. Located in stunning rural Northumberland, but only 30 miles from the vibrant city of Newcastle; working at Cragside allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. With less congested travel than many parts of the UK and beautiful surroundings, the quality of life in Northumberland is high.
The high performing team you will be joining is experienced in a broad range of disciplines. Everyone works closely together to look after Cragside for our visitors – both present and future – to enjoy.
You will thrive when working in collaboration. Managed by the Head Gardener, you will work closely with other operational leads and heads of department, to provide a holistic and exceptional visitor experience across the property. Regional colleagues will be able to offer a range of advice and services for you to draw upon.
You’ll be happy working outside in all weathers, across Cragside’s Formal Gardens, Rock Garden, Pinetum, Gorge, and Valley walks. An important part of your role will be to supervise the routine operations of the gardens, to maintain the landscape and plant collections to an excellent standard.
As Senior Gardener, you will oversee the day-to-day work of a team of five gardeners, all eager to deliver their very best. You will also, as the team’s volunteer manager, provide direction and support to a group of dedicated volunteers. We’d expect you to lead by example, demonstrating outstanding practical gardening skills that others can follow and learn from. You’ll give inspiring and practical training to new staff and volunteers.
You’ll work closely with the Head Gardener to oversee garden projects and plans and build positive working relationships across the entire site. You will enjoy engaging with visitors, sharing the story of Cragside and answering their questions. You will embrace new techniques, technologies, and ways of working, echoing Armstrong’s passion for innovation and efficiency. You will be excited to be part of a vibrant visitor attraction, willing to pitch in on peak days to ensure our visitors have the best possible experience.
As part of this role, you’ll be expected to complete a First Aid at Work qualification once in post. We’ll support you with the training needed to achieve this.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don’t need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we’re looking for
- Able to plan, organise and deliver practical horticultural work programmes.
- Experienced at supervising and supporting staff or teams, creating a positive and collaborative working environment.
- Strong knowledge of plants, plant husbandry and horticultural/gardening techniques.
- Confident using and maintaining a range of horticultural machinery and equipment, including hedge‑trimmers, strimmers/brushcutters and lawnmowers.
- Good understanding of relevant health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
- Experienced at supporting, supervising and motivating volunteers.
- An understanding of the importance of conserving and developing Cragside’s historic gardens while respecting their unique heritage.
- A full UK driving licence.
Benefits
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 (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
Cragside, Rothbury, Morpeth, NE65 7PX
Required Documents
- Appendix for Staff Roles at Cragside.pdf
- Senior Gardener – Career Level B.pdf
Additional Information
Closing Date: 26th July 2026
Interview Date: W/C 4th August
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 process 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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