Gardener

National Trust; Conwy; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

The National Trust’s Bodnant Garden is seeking a hands-on Gardener to maintain the garden and improve visitor experiences. You’ll work as part of the garden team in a rural setting, performing daily checks and routine horticultural tasks to uphold high standards.

Experience with plants, machinery, and managing outdoor responsibilities is essential, along with strong teamwork and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Keep the garden in tiptop condition daily, with checks ensuring safety for visitors.
• Perform routine tasks such as weeding, pruning and mulching.
• Operate machinery like hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors.
• Contribute to propagation, cutting flowers for the house, and preparing plants for sale.
• Engage in tree safety work and garden design/restoration as needed.
• Assist with recycling and waste management alongside the garden team.

Skills

Horticulturist

Plant knowledge

Machinery operation

Driver’s license

Outdoor resilience

Communication

Team/Independent work

Time management

Tools

Tractors

Chainsaws

Rotary mowers

Cylinder mowers

Job description

Summary

The National Trust's commitment is "For everyone, for ever." Bringing that promise to life starts with the people that work here. It means building teams with a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. It means creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Our roles are open to all. However, we particularly welcome applications from people from ethnically diverse communities because they are underrepresented at the Trust.

We're looking for a Gardener to join us at Bodnant Garden! In this role, you’ll be a hands‑on member of the garden team, responsible for day‑to‑day maintenance to ensure the highest standards of horticulture. You’ll also play a vital role in improving the experience of visitors to the garden and wider estate. AsBodnantis in a rural area, please think about howyou’dbe able to get here forwork beforeyou apply.

Salary: £23,618.88 per annum pro rated (based on £27,612 full-time equivalent)

Contract Duration: Permanent

Working Pattern: You'll work 1668 hours per year. This role is based on annualised hours, where theamountof hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year.Typically, you'll work Monday to Thursday, but you may be asked to work occasional weekends, Bank Holidays and evenings.

Mae cyfieithiad Cymraeg yr hysbyseb hon ar gael yn y atodiadau.

What It's Like To Work Here

This world-famous 80-acre botanical garden with spectacular views across Snowdonia is a joy to be part of in every season. Bodnant’s large gardening staff work hard to maintain the much admired and inspiring plant collections, expansive lawns and colourful terraces, and there is a real family atmosphere within the long-established group. The team welcome forward-thinking and creative ideas, value a collaborative approach, and share a love of the outdoors.

Click here for more information about this location

What you'll be doing

You'll be helping to keep the garden in tiptop 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, cutting flowers for the house, preparing plants for sale, tree safety work and garden design and restoration.

You may also be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the garden team.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. Youdon'tneed to haveallthe knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture ofwhat’spossible in this role.

Who We're Looking For

• 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)
• 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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

National Trust place: Bodnant, Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy, LL28 5RE

Documents

• Gardener - B.pdf
• IRC181325 - Garddwr.docx
• Garddwr - Lefel Gyrfa B (1).pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 29 November 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.