Gardener - Ambleside

You will also provide support to the wider Lakes and Eden portfolio at properties such as Acorn Bank - a tranquil garden dating back to the 17th-century which has traditional fruit orchards and heritage apple collection, sunken Italian garden, diverse herbaceous borders set against the sandstone walls, and the largest Herb collection in the National Trust's care. Click here to find out more about Acorn Bank. What you'll be doing This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to develop their knowledge across a range of historic garden sites and approaches to their care. It also offers the chance to build experience in leading on the management of a site, including planning your own work schedule, developing and supporting a volunteer team, managing budgets, and contributing to development plans (including the walled garden). On a day-to-day basis, you'll be responsible for maintaining high horticultural standards at Wray. This will include carrying out daily checks to ensure all areas are safe and welcoming for visitors, alongside routine horticultural tasks such as weeding, pruning and mulching. You'll use a range of machinery, including hedge cutters, leaf blowers, strimmers and lawnmowers. Other duties will include plant propagation, cutting flowers for visitor areas, and supporting tree safety work. You'll also work closely with the Designed Landscapes team to deliver key improvements in line with wider site plans.

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 National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving those places of natural beauty and historic interest for which it has the privilege to be responsible for the benefit of the nation, for everyone for ever.
The Trust is proud of what has been achieved over the last 126 years and is determined to maintain those high standards of conservation, stewardship and curatorial care for which it has been recognised throughout the world. Its achievements have enabled the general public and the Trust's members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections, all of which encapsulate so much of the history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement. The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care.

Salary: 27,612 per annum pro rata Contract Duration: Fixed-term contract until 31st December 2026. We are open to considering this role as a secondment opportunity. Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. You will work Monday to Friday, including Bank Holidays., 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