Summary
***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE***
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 much loved historic gardens: Hinton Ampner. The team here also directly care for Winchester City Mill's Island Garden, and occasionally support the team at nearby Uppark House and Garden.
Interview date: Thursday 3rd October
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. 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 rolling Hampshire countryside. Within this structure we have formal lawns, a significant collection of unusual woody trees and shrubs, an expansive collection of Roses, a walled kitchen garden that provides produce for the Cafe and cut flowers for the house, and 2 distinctive Rooms for twice-yearly bedding displays.
The garden is excellent for developing a broad range of horticultural skills and experiences, and we have ambitions for it to become a garden that will train new students and apprentices to become our gardeners of the future,
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 if its unique microclimate.
What you'll be doing
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 management 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.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you, if you’re:
1. someone who combines practical experience in horticulture with appropriate qualifications
2. used to supervising others in a similar role
3. highly knowledgeable about plants
4. confident in using and maintaining garden machinery, including chainsaws, tractors, hedge-trimmers and mowers (both walking and ride-on)
5. aware of relevant health and safety legislation and practices
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