Heritage Estates Gardener: Grounds & Horticulture

Ampleforth Abbey Trust; Ryedale; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 8%

Life assurance

Free lunch

Free parking

Tea room discount 20%

Christmas Closure

Staff passes

Job summary

Ampleforth Abbey Trust in North Yorkshire is seeking an Estates Gardener to care for the gardens and landscaped areas across the Abbey estate. The role supports the beauty, tranquillity and heritage of the grounds with skilled horticultural work year‑round.

The postholder will perform propagation, pruning, greenhouse work, and planting, ensuring high standards and safe operations on site. A proactive, independent gardener with team spirit will thrive here.

Qualifications

• Strong horticultural knowledge, ideally supported by formal training.
• Experience working in gardens, estates, parks, or similar outdoor environments.
• Ability to identify plants, pests, and diseases, and apply appropriate treatments.
• High standards of workmanship and pride in garden presentation.
• Physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Reliability, good communication skills, and the ability to work effectively within a grounds team.
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks efficiently
• Cut-flower production.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance of Formal and Informal Gardens Care of herbaceous borders, ornamental beds, rose gardens, and seasonal displays, ensuring they remain attractive and well-presented.
• Cultivation and Plant Husbandry Propagation, seed sowing, pruning, staking, mulching, watering, and general plant care, with a focus on maintaining plant health and vigour.
• Greenhouse Work Raising plants for borders and displays, managing tender species, and supporting cut‑flower and seasonal production.
• Tree and Shrub Care Light arboriculture tasks, formative pruning, and monitoring the condition of trees and shrubs, reporting issues where necessary.
• Grounds Presentation Maintenance of gardens, and garden structures, ensuring all areas remain tidy, safe, and visually attractive.
• Machinery and Equipment Safe and competent use of horticultural machinery and tools, including routine cleaning, basic maintenance, and reporting of repairs.
• ATV Operation - Ability to safely operate an ATV for transport of tools, materials, and personnel around the site.
• Seasonal and Weather‑Related Duties Leaf clearance, winter preparation, snow, ice clearance, and planting of bulbs and seasonal bedding.
• Support for Grounds‑Related Activities Assisting with garden‑based projects, improvements, and occasional events requiring horticultural support.
• Event Support - Assist with occasional out‑of‑hours events, including helping with parking management and general grounds support when required.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Garden maintenance

Plant identification

Workmanship

Physical fitness

Reliability & communication

Independent working

Cut-flower production

Education

Formal horticultural training

Job description

Ampleforth Abbey Trust in North Yorkshire is seeking an Estates Gardener to care for the gardens and landscaped areas across the Abbey estate. The role supports the beauty, tranquillity and heritage of the grounds with skilled horticultural work year‑round.

The postholder will perform propagation, pruning, greenhouse work, and planting, ensuring high standards and safe operations on site. A proactive, independent gardener with team spirit will thrive here.