Gardener

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Montacute; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme (where applicable)

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

Montacute House is seeking a Gardener to join the National Trust team on a permanent, part-time basis. You will help maintain the historic garden, operate hedge cutters, lawnmowers and tractors, and support biodiversity and climate resilience initiatives.

The role is 30 hours per week with a flexible pattern, some weekend work, and a DBS check will be required. Training and development opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Experience in daily garden maintenance and using garden machinery.
• Good knowledge of plant care and pruning techniques.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain garden areas daily: weeding, pruning and mulching; operate machinery safely.
• Carry out propagation, cut flowers for display, and prepare plants for sale.
• Contribute to tree safety work, garden design/restoration, and waste recycling.
• Collaborate with a small team and volunteers to uphold high standards.

Skills

Enthusiastic horticulturist

Hands-on gardener

Driver with full licence

Team player

Time management

Tools

Tractors

Chainsaws

Rotary mowers

Cylinder mowers

Leaf blowers

Hedge cutters

Job description

Summary

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 Montacute House. 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: £14.16 per hour Contract: Permanent Hours / working pattern: Part‑time, 30 hours per week. The working pattern is flexible for the successful candidate; however, four consecutive days would be preferred. Interview: week commencing 23rd November 2026 This role is required to work with vulnerable groups including children and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check

What it's like to work here

Working at Montacute offers the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of horticultural activities, from maintaining our famous wibbly wobbly hedges to helping deliver wider garden improvement projects as we work towards becoming more climate‑resilient while preserving the character of the gardens.

The gardens form part of Montacute's Grade I listed house, garden and parkland and are among the most significant historic gardens in the region. They combine formal design with expansive parkland views and contain a wealth of historic features that have evolved over centuries. Highlights include the iconic wibbly wobbly hedge, the North Garden with its raised promenade, the historic site of the former parterre, vibrant herbaceous borders, orchards, meadows and the East Court, which provides the impressive setting for the approach to the house.

The garden team cares for a diverse range of spaces, balancing the conservation of a nationally important historic landscape with the challenges of modern horticulture. This means you'll have the chance to work on everything from traditional gardening techniques and specialist pruning to planting projects and initiatives aimed at improving biodiversity and climate resilience. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys practical, hands‑on work and spending time outdoors in all seasons. There will be opportunities to develop a broad range of horticultural skills, use and maintain a variety of tools and machinery, and play an active part in caring for and improving the gardens.

You'll be joining an established and experienced team of four, supported by a fantastic volunteer team. Our volunteers bring a huge range of skills, knowledge and life experiences, creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere and helping us present the gardens to the highest standard. No two days are the same, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, contribute ideas and play a meaningful role in the future of the gardens.

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

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

National Trust place

Montacute House, Montacute, TA15 6XP

Documents

Gardener - Career Level B JFR.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 8th November 2026

Interview: week commencing 23rd November 2026

EqualOpportunities 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.