Summary
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 Hinton Ampner. 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. The team here also directly care for Winchester City Mill's Island Garden, and occasionally support the team at nearby Uppark House and Garden.
You may be asked to work occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
What it's like to work here Our team at Hinton Ampner care for one of the most significant 21st Century Gardens in the National Trust; we have a collaborative and supportive team culture, each of us bringing different skills and experiences, creating an environment that fosters development, creativity and individuality. The garden was created by Ralph Dutton as part of his work to unite House, Garden and Parkland, what we now refer to as 'One Man's Vision'. The garden itself is broken into a series of Garden Rooms much like Sissinghurst and Hidcote Gardens, each designed to conceal and reveal the bounds, transitioning from intimate spaces with rich planting and formal topiary, to expansive views over fine lawns and rolling Hampshire countryside. Within this structure is a plantsperson's delight; a significant collection of unusual woody trees and shrubs, an expansive collection of Roses, a walled kitchen garden, with glasshouses containing tender and tropical plants, 2 distinctive garden rooms for twice-yearly bedding displays and an Orchard set within a wild-flower meadow. One of the philosophies of Ralph Dutton is that the garden moves forward and does not stand still. This gives the garden team freedom to use a variety of historic and modern plants to create a beautiful space. The portfolio is lead by the Head Gardener, but our Senior Gardener often leads the day-to-day work. It is a perfect environment for someone who is keen to learn and wants to develop their horticultural skills and knowledge, with past gardeners progressing onto more senior roles within the organisation.
We also care for Winchester City Mill, an island garden outside of one of the oldest working water mills in the country. Surrounded by the River Itchen, the garden was re-designed in 2023 by the students of Sparsholt College in a new climate resilient sub-tropical style, to take advantage of its unique microclimate
What you'll be doing
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.
Other duties might include propagation, cutting flowers for the house, tree safety work and garden design and restoration**.** 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)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme
- 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
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.