Gardener
| Posting date: | 10 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,793 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 March 2026 |
| Location: | Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EQ |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | National Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | IRC172790 |
Summary
As a Gardener for the National Trust, you’ll be a hands-on member of the garden and park team, involved in every aspect of gardening at Stowe. 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.
You may be asked to work occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
What it's like to work here
The scale and beauty of Stowe has attracted visitors for over 300 years. Picture-perfect views, winding paths, lakeside walks and temples create a timeless landscape, reflecting the changing seasons. Full of hidden meaning, the gardens were created as an earthly paradise, and still cast their spell today.
The sublime eighteenth-century landscape gardens come with picture-perfect views. There are over 250 acres and 28 monuments and temples paying tribute to their original Georgian design.
What you'll be doing
You'll be helping to keep the garden and park in 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, tree safety work, garden design. garden for nature and restoration. You may be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the garden team.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
knowledge of practical horticulture and plant care
ability to contribute to teamwork and volunteer support
understanding of machinery use and safety compliance
experience in work programme and project support
good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
a driver with a full licence
Criteria for all other applicants:
an experienced 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 tractor, rotary and cylinder mowers, and with some knowledge of maintenance
a driver with a full licence
able to manage a demanding outdoor role
confidence in communication and public engagement
experience in work programme and project support
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
You may be asked to work occasional weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
What it's like to work here
The scale and beauty of Stowe has attracted visitors for over 300 years. Picture-perfect views, winding paths, lakeside walks and temples create a timeless landscape, reflecting the changing seasons. Full of hidden meaning, the gardens were created as an earthly paradise, and still cast their spell today.
The sublime eighteenth-century landscape gardens come with picture-perfect views. There are over 250 acres and 28 monuments and temples paying tribute to their original Georgian design.
What you'll be doing
You'll be helping to keep the garden and park in 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, tree safety work, garden design. garden for nature and restoration. You may be involved in recycling and managing waste, along with the rest of the garden team.
Who we're looking for
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
knowledge of practical horticulture and plant care
ability to contribute to teamwork and volunteer support
understanding of machinery use and safety compliance
experience in work programme and project support
good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
a driver with a full licence
Criteria for all other applicants:
an experienced 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 tractor, rotary and cylinder mowers, and with some knowledge of maintenance
a driver with a full licence
able to manage a demanding outdoor role
confidence in communication and public engagement
experience in work programme and project support
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