If you want a career in Gardening, we can offer you some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the UK to work in.

You’ll love working outdoors and understand that our gardens and grounds are as significant as our mansion houses and our historical places. Our visitors tell us how much they enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our well-kept outdoor spaces, which makes your role vital in making sure they have an amazing experience.

Hours: 360 per year. This role is based on annualised hours, where the number of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in equal instalments over the year. You will work approximately 1 day per week, increasing to 2 days during our busiest periods e.g. April to October

This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year. 

Being a very small garden team, we all play an active part in looking after the gardens now and for the future. Team working with our 50+ enthusiastic and committed volunteers is a key aspect of our work.   This is a great time to be a part of the Hughenden Garden Team as we are currently reviewing the Management Plan and putting together proposals for the gardens over the next 5 years such as conservation and redesign projects that will enhance both the visitor experience and enjoyment of the gardens.

Hughenden Manor Gardens are a hidden jewel in the Chiltern Landscape, yet well known and loved by local communities on its doorstep.  A typical Victorian garden it was designed by Benjamin Disraeli’s wife Mary Anne who embraced the Italianate style with features inspired by her love of bright colours and Disraeli’s fondness for trees. The gardens provide our visitors with a rich experience in a small space including pleasure grounds, herbaceous borders, a parterre, orchard with over 45 different apple varieties and a walled garden. We work closely with the Ranger team who manage the adjacent woodlands and park land. The park and gardens are Grade II listed. 

We are passionate about the care and appearance of the gardens. Therefore, as a hands-on Assistant Gardener, you’ll be contributing to keeping high presentation standards in the gardens and sharing your garden knowledge with our visitors.

This role will include a wide range of practical horticultural tasks to enhance and conserve the garden such as mowing, hedge trimming, fruit tree pruning, planting and daily maintenance of plant borders. There will be the opportunity to help with the twice-yearly bedding changeover and be involved in plant propagation and conservation projects.  

Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert

You’ll love working outdoors and with volunteers and understand that our gardens and grounds are as significant as our mansion houses and our historical places.

 To be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the below:

• A keen interest in the care of plants and gardens.
• Some training in horticulture (NVQ1 -2 Amenity Horticulture or equivalent) or basic knowledge and skills
• Familiarity with machinery/equipment and knowledge of Health & Safety requirements
• A team player and some experience of working either as a volunteer or with volunteers.

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.