Gardener

National Trust; Leominster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation-focused organization is seeking a Gardener to join their team in Leominster. In this hands-on role, you'll maintain gardens, ensuring the highest standards of horticulture and improve visitor experiences. You will perform routine tasks such as weeding, pruning, and manage safety checks, while engaging with the public. Ideal candidates are experienced in horticulture, machinery use, and team collaboration. This position offers various benefits, including a substantial pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

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

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic horticulturist and hands-on gardener with experience in hard landscaping.
• Knowledgeable about plants with a great eye for detail.
• Experienced with machinery and some knowledge of maintenance.
• Confident in communication and able to engage with visitors.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the garden and estate in optimal condition every day.
• Perform weeding, pruning, mulching, and safety checks.
• Assist with propagation, tree safety work, and garden design.

Skills

knowledge of practical horticulture and plant care

ability to contribute to teamwork and volunteer support

understanding of machinery use and safety compliance

experience in work programme and project support

confidence in communication and public engagement

Tools

tractors

chainsaws

rotary mowers

cylinder mowers

Job description

Summary

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

As a Gardener for the National Trust, you’ll be a hands‑on member of the garden team, involved in every aspect of gardening in the Herefordshire portfolio of gardens. 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.

You may be asked to work occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.

What it's like to work here

We have a wide range of horticultural areas which call upon all your knowledge and skills. Within the walled garden we have a heritage orchard, vegetable growing, glass house and nursery area, cut flower borders and herbaceous border. The outer part of the garden is a pleasure ground of mixed shrubs and small trees.

What you'll be doing

You'll be helping to keep the garden and wider estate 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, cutting flowers for the house, preparing plants for sale, tree safety work and garden design and restoration. You may be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the garden team.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below :

• knowledge of practical horticulture and plant care
• ability to contribute to teamwork and volunteer support
• understanding of machinery use and safety compliance
• experience in work programme and project support
• confidence in communication and public engagement

Criteria for all other applicants

• 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
• 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