Senior Gardener

Summary

The contract is part time and permanent, and the hourly rate is £14.76. Your working time will be 30.00 hours each week. The employer, National Trust, is a charity. You will be based at Dyffryn Gardens, which is an estate, which could mean diversity in the role. Note some estates are far from public transport. It is located in Vale of Glamorgan.

Closing date 19-04-2026

Job Description

***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY*** 

Are you an experienced gardener, now ready to discover a new garden and take on a new challenge? This might be just the role for you. If you’re a dedicated and enthusiastic horticulturist, who's keen to make a difference, then we can offer you invaluable experience and development within one of the National Trust’s muchloved historic gardens: Dyffryn Gardens.

Mae cyfieithiad Cymraeg yr hysbyseb hon ar gael yn y atodiadau.

Leading a small team of staff and volunteers, working across the formal central axis of the garden, you'll use your horticultural, planning and leadership skills to bring to life one of the most visited parts of the garden.

Formal centre of the garden includes sweeping formal lawns and meadows, large water features, mixed shrub borders, a seasonally changing parterre and herbaceous borders.

To take on bigger seasonal tasks like meadow management and hedge cutting, you'll work alongside the rest of the gardens team to deliver on large scale seasonal changes that form the backdrop to the detailed horticulture found throughout Dyffryn.

You’ll be happy working outside in all weathers. And you’ll understand why people love coming to this garden so much, and why your role is vital in making sure that they have their best possible day. An important part of your role will be supervising the day-to-day formal core of the garden, to keep it and the plant collection in tiptop condition. But another crucial element will be motivating the team.

As Senior Gardener, we’d like you to lead by example, lead from the front. You’ll demonstrate exceptional gardening skills, which others can follow and learn from. You’ll understand how to help the team manage their daily workload, and you’ll give inspiring and practical training to new staff and volunteers. You’ll build positive working relationships across the entire site. And you will delight in talking to people visiting the garden, telling them its story and answering their questions.

Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.

We’d love to hear from you, if you’re:

  • someone who combines practical experience in horticulture with appropriate qualifications
  • used to supervising others in a similar role
  • highly knowledgeable about plants
  • confident in using and maintaining garden machinery, including chainsaws, tractors, hedge-trimmers and mowers (both walking and ride-on)
  • aware of relevant health and safety legislation and practices

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

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

Disclaimer
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