Gardener

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve & Howletts Wild Animal Park; Hythe; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A wildlife conservation park in Hythe is looking for a Gardener to maintain their grounds including the Mansion Gardens. Ideal candidates should have horticultural knowledge and physical fitness, as duties include heavy lifting and using gardening machinery. The role offers competitive pay and benefits including 28 days annual leave and training opportunities.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Training opportunities

Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies

Unlimited free entry to parks

Discounts on food and accommodation

Company Pension

Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a gardener.
• Good level of physical fitness for heavy lifting.
• Must possess a valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain private and public garden areas.
• Strim, cut hedges, and maintain lawns.
• Clean and weed paths and walkways.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Physical fitness

Experience with horticultural machinery

Education

Gardening qualifications

Job description

Closing date: Monday 18th August 2025

Salary: £27040.00 Per Annum, Plus Desirable Benefits

Full time, Permanent Position

The Horticulture department at Howletts Wild Animal Park has a vacancy for a Gardener. Working with the team, the job holder will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of our grounds, including the Mansion Gardens.

Duties will mainly include looking after the private and public garden areas including strimming, maintenance of herbaceous, shrub and mixed borders, seasonal displays, hedge cutting, cleaning and weeding paths, steps, and walkways, along with maintenance of the lawns.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidates will have previous experience working as a gardener and using horticultural machinery. Qualifications are an advantage but not essential for this role as experience of similar work will also be considered. You must have good general horticultural knowledge and have a good level of physical fitness as these roles will involve heavy lifting. A valid driving licence is essential as you will be required to drive company vehicles. We are looking for someone who is motivated, enthusiastic, flexible and happy to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Contract Details

This is a permanent, full-time position. The successful candidate will work five days out of seven, 40 hours per week. Hours are 8.00am – 4:30pm which can include weekends and bank holidays. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. A reliable mode of transport is recommended due to our remote location.

The locations:

Howletts Wild Animal Park is located near Canterbury and set within 90 acres of land. Howletts is home to over 300 rare and endangered species, including Kents only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards, and monkeys than any zoo in the county!

Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.

Why You Should Join Us

We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work.

Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.

You can also expect a host of other roarsome benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, rising with length of service. (Pro-rata to start date and working hours)
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning.
• Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
• Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
• Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
• Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.
• A great working environment with lots of social activities
• Company Pension
• And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.
  
  

Your adventure awaits

#joinourpride

A Full Job Description Is Available On Request.

To apply: If you want to work in an exciting and unique environment where no two days are the same, email your C.V. and covering letter to [e-mail]