Gardener

National Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Free entry to National Trust places

Deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease

Perks at work discounts

Holiday entitlement 32 days

Flexible working

Employee support program

Free parking

Job summary

National Trust in Dunham Massey, near Manchester, is seeking a Gardener to maintain the garden to high horticultural standards and enhance visitor experiences. The role is permanent and full-time, typically 37.5 hours per week with some weekend work.

Part-time applications may be considered with clear availability. You’ll work with a friendly, skilled team, supporting apprentices and volunteers while upholding safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• A horticultural qualification (e.g. RHS Level 2) or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to work in a team and independently, including volunteers and apprentices.
• Ability to engage with visitors about gardening work to enhance the experience.
• Knowledge of plant husbandry and horticultural techniques, including propagation.
• Experience using and maintaining garden machinery (chainsaws, tractors, hedge-trimmers, mowers).
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements and safe working practices.

Responsibilities

• Keep the garden looking its best with routine tasks like weeding, pruning and mulching.
• Use machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors.
• Supervise volunteers and apprentices; assist with events and small garden projects.
• Ensure health and safety checks and paperwork are up to date.

Skills

Horticultural qualification

Teamwork

Visitor engagement

Plant husbandry

Garden machinery experience

Health & Safety knowledge

UK driving licence

Job description

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.

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 Dunham Massey. 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.

Salary

£27,612 per annum

Contract Duration

Permanent

Working Pattern

Our full-time hours are 37.5 hours per week, and typically worked Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Some weekend working will also be required, with shifts usually 9am to 5pm during the Summer and 8am to 4pm during the Winter. We are also open to considering part-time applications. If applying on a part-time basis, please clearly outline your availability in your application.

What It's Like To Work Here

The garden at Dunham Massey is a mixture of modern and historic, a place of fun and relaxation, as well as home to a huge variety of plants and nature. You'll spend each day working alongside talented, knowledgeable, committed and friendly people, using a combination of technical skills, knowledge and creativity to help conserve these places for everyone. You'll see the impact of your work each day and be rewarded to hear from visitors about how they have enjoyed and connected with the garden.

The 3,000-acre estate situated approximately 10 miles south of central Manchester and three miles south of Altrincham. Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford, gave it to the National Trust in 1976 and today it attracts over 500,000 visitors a year. This elegant Georgian mansion, set within a magnificent 300 acre deer park and including one of Britain’s finest winter gardens, is a very popular visitor attraction with over 100 staff.

Click here for more information about this location

What You'll Be Doing

You'll be helping to keep the garden looking it's best every day. This might involve routine tasks such as weeding, pruning and mulching, and using machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors.

Other duties might include supervising volunteers, working in the glasshouse, setting up for events, working on small garden projects, and ensuring health and safety checks and paperwork are up to date. The garden team has a strong commitment to training and development at all levels, so you’ll also be working closely with our apprentices.

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

• a horticultural qualification (e.g. RHS Level 2 or equivalent), or equivalent practical experience
• the ability to work effectively as part of a team, including volunteers and apprentices, and independently
• the ability to engage with visitors about the gardening work you’re doing to support a positive visitor experience
• knowledge of plant husbandry and horticultural techniques (including propagation) and experience of applying these in practical garden work
• experience of using and maintaining garden machinery including; chainsaws, tractors, hedge-trimmers and mowers (both walking & ride-on)
• knowledge of relevant Health & Safety requirements and how to apply safe working practices in a horticultural environment
• a full UK driving licence

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

Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4SJ

Documents

Gardener - B.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date

22 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.