Gardener - Garden Assistant

Relais & Châteaux; Bradford; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday including bankholidays

Birthday day off

Complimentary castle stay after 3‑mo

Internal & external training

Staff and family rates on stays and F&

Recognition programmes

Uniform and meals provided on duty

Free parking

Weekend flexibility

Part-time with potential for full-time

Job summary

Relais & Châteaux at Thornbury Castle in the UK is seeking a hands‑on Gardener to maintain our historic 15‑acre grounds and contribute to guest experiences in a luxury hotel setting.

Under the Head Gardener, you will support lawn care, planting, pruning and kitchen garden work, while upholding safety and high standards. This role offers a practical outdoor environment with weekend flexibility and potential progression to full time.

Qualifications

• At least Level 3 in Horticulture or equivalent experience and knowledge.
• Practical knowledge of plants, tools, materials and use of general garden machinery.
• Knowledge and experience of petrol machinery.

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain and manage the historic gardens to the highest horticultural standards.
• Assist the Head of Gardens to lead the garden team effectively.
• Manage day‑to‑day maintenance: lawn care, hedge cutting, pruning, weeding, planting.
• Maintain and develop the kitchen garden.
• Ensure safe working practices within the estate, including Health & Safety.
• Support ongoing development of the gardens including kitchen, herbaceous and ornamental gardens.
• Take responsibility in the Head Gardener's absence and deputise in meetings when required.
• Oversee external contractors and ensure high standards.
• Demonstrate genuine interest in gardening, plants and outdoor work.
• Show basic gardening/groundskeeping experience and a willingness to learn.
• Adopt a practical, hands‑on approach and flexible attitude.
• Be reliable, punctual and maintain a positive attitude.
• Maintain attention to detail and high standards.
• Follow instructions and work safely; work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible to assist with basic maintenance duties; work outdoors in varying weather.
• Maintain a professional approach in a luxury hotel environment.

Skills

Practical gardening

Garden safety awareness

Plant knowledge

Education

Level 3 in Horticulture

Tools

General garden machinery

Petrol machinery

Job description

Relais & Châteaux at Thornbury Castle is seeking a Gardener to join our hardworking and professional 5-star hotel team. Set within 15 acres of beautiful grounds, our unique Tudor Castle offers a special environment where gardens, lawns, landscaped areas and outdoor spaces play an important part in the guest experience.

Working under the direction of the Head Gardener, the successful candidate will assist with the day-to-day upkeep and presentation of the Castle grounds, helping to maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment for our guests and team members.

This is a practical, hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in their work and is willing to turn their hand to a variety of basic gardening and general maintenance tasks. The role requires a flexible approach, a good work ethic, attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions while using initiative when required.

Job Description

• Assist the Head of Gardens to establish, maintain, and manage the historically listed gardens to the highest horticultural standards
• Assist the Head of Gardens to lead the garden team effectively and professionally
• Assist the Head of Gardens to manage the day-to-day maintenance of the garden: lawn care, hedge-cutting, pruning, weeding, planting and all associated garden tasks
• Assist the Head of Gardens to maintain and develop the kitchen garden
• Take ownership of safe working practices within the estate, including Health & Safety
• Assist the Head of Gardens with the continuous development of the Gardens, including the kitchen garden, herbaceous garden and ornamental garden
• Take responsibility in the absence of the Head Gardener
• Deputise for the Head of Gardens in meetings if required
• Assist the Head of Gardens in overseeing external contractors
• A genuine interest in gardening, plants and outdoor work.
• Basic gardening or groundskeeping experience, although willingness to learn and develop skills is equally important.
• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to undertake a variety of routine tasks.
• Reliability, punctuality and a positive attitude.
• Good attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards.
• The ability to follow instructions and work safely.
• The ability to work independently on allocated tasks and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to assist with basic maintenance duties when required.
• The ability to undertake practical outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• A professional, considerate approach in a luxury hotel environment.

Qualifications

• At least Level 3 in Horticultureor equivalent experience and knowledge
• Practical knowledge of plants, tools, materials and use of general garden machinery
• Knowledge and experience of petrol machinery

Additional Information

• 28 days' holiday, including bank holidays
• An additional paid day off on your birthday
• Complimentary stay at the Castle after 3 months' probation period successfully passed
• Training programs via internal & external professionals and access to online training facilities
• Staff and family rates on hotel accommodation and discounts on food and beverage
• Recognition programmes
• Uniform and meals provided whilst on duty and free parking
• Flexibility to work on weekends when required.
• Part-time role with the future possibility to be full-time
• £12.71/hour