Gardener

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Uckfield; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Free entry to NT places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts

Holiday allowance

Job summary

The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is seeking a hands-on Gardener for Sheffield Park and Garden. You’ll contribute to day-to-day garden maintenance, uphold high horticultural standards and help improve visitor experiences across the estate, including reinstating key routes during our busiest periods.

This fixed-term role runs until 17 January 2027 on a seasonal, flexible, zero-hour contract with weekend work.

Qualifications

• Hands-on gardener with horticultural knowledge and attention to detail.
• Experience operating garden machinery and implements.
• Full driving license required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out day-to-day gardening and maintenance tasks.
• Ensure safety and high standards of horticulture across the estate.
• Assist with reinstating visitor routes during peak periods.

Skills

Horticulture

Machinery operation

Driver's license

Team player

Tools

Tractors

Chainsaws

Rotary mowers

Cylinder mowers

Job description

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 Sheffield Park and Garden. 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, including reinstating key visitor routes during our busiest period.

Salary: £14.16 per hour

Contract: Fixed term contract until 17-Jan-2027

Hours/ working pattern: Seasonal, flexible, weekends. This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can’t guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible. The role includes weekends and Bank Holidays but does not require evening or split shifts.

Typical shifts are working occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.

Interview date: Thursday 22nd October 2026

What it's like to work here

Widely regarded as a horticultural masterpiece, the elegant landscaped gardens at Sheffield Park are alive with colour and wildlife. Four lakes and gorgeous views make this picturesque location to work in. Family-friendly events are a key part of the visitor experience at Sheffield Park, and welcome people with plenty of shared ideas and energy to join us. This is a great opportunity to become part of a supportive and close-knit team in a place you’ll love working.

There is water everywhere - a series of interlinked man-made lakes display mesmerizing reflections of the trees and shrubs around the park. Explore over 100 acres of traditional landscape gardens originally laid out by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton in the 18th Century.

You’ll be helping to keep the gardenin 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.You may be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the garden team.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you’re:

• 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)
• 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.

National Trust place

Sheffield Park, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, TN22 3QX

Documents

Gardener - Career Level B.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 18th October 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.