Gardener pa

Summary

We have an amazing opportunity for a Gardener to join our hardworking team in an exciting and varied role at our properties in the Thames Valley group, nurturing three gardens in close proximity – Basildon Park, Grey’s Court and Nuffield Place.

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 some weekends, bank holidays and evenings.

The Thames Valley group of gardens is home to a small, friendly and proudly hands‑on team. Working across Greys Court near Henley‑on‑Thames and Basildon Park in Reading, our gardeners bring skill, curiosity and a real “can‑do” spirit to everything they do. The team includes a Senior Gardener, two full‑time Gardeners and a part‑time Assistant Gardener, all supported and encouraged by our Head Gardener, whose passion for slow gardening and healthy soil shapes the way we care for these special places.

We’re also fortunate to work alongside a dedicated community of volunteer gardeners who share our love of plants, people and the stories these landscapes hold.

You’ll be helping to keep the pleasure grounds at Basildon Park in tip‑top 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 operating machinery such as hedge cutters, leaf blowers, lawnmowers and tractors.

• Propagation and tree safety work
• Nature‑friendly gardening
• Garden design and restoration
• Recycling and waste management

• Enthusiastic horticulturist and hands‑on gardener with experience in hard landscaping
• Knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail
• Experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, and some knowledge of maintenance
• 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

• 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 related 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

Thames Valley, Lower Basiildon, Reading, RG8 9NR

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults  you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.