Summary

We’re looking for an experienced, qualified gardener to join our busy team. Reporting to the Senior Gardener you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day care of the gardens at Belton while providing a warm welcome to all our visitors.

There will be some weekend working (approx. 1 in 5).

What it's like to work here

You’ll join four other gardeners and a team of support volunteers to maintain, enhance, and conserve Belton’s gardens. We look after the gardens for our visitors and our ambition is to make every visit rewarding, engaging and memorable for everyone.   

Belton House is one of the National Trust’s busiest places and we hope to welcome around 450,000 visitors this year. The Grade 1 listed garden is layered with formal parterres, pleasure gardens, and ponds.  It features an orangery of international significance, fountain, maze, extensive spring bulb display, significant tree plantings and numerous statues and garden buildings. 

You’ll be part of a dedicated property team looking after this special place, which also offers an ancient parkland, 17th-century mansion, and the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground.

What you'll be doing

As a gardener you will:

• Plan and plant seasonal bedding schemes. 
• Be involved in restoration and development projects. 
• Help develop sustainable and efficient ways of working. 
• Support the development and delivery of visitor engagement and interpretation in the gardens. 
• Propagate seasonal bedding and herbaceous perennials for use in the garden and shop. 
• Grow fruit, vegetables and cut flowers for use in the house. 
• Work with, supervise and support volunteers and apprentices. 
• Have opportunities to develop knowledge and skills. 
• Carry out day to day garden maintenance tasks. 
• Maintain tools and machinery.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for someone:

• With technical knowledge in horticulture, who can take ownership of a project or area in the garden. 
• With competence in horticultural machinery use and maintenance. 
• Who is passionate about showcasing and sharing good horticultural practice, and raising standards. 
• Who’s a team player, willing to get involved and help deliver team and property objectives. 
• Happy to work across a variety of horticultural disciplines in this diverse role. 
• Who enjoys interacting with visitors and volunteers and has creative ideas around visitor engagement. 
• A Driving licence is essential. 
• Chainsaw and PA1 & PA6 desirable.

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.

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