Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England?
With 14 main garden sites and dedicated garden teams, we are looking for a Gardener to join our team at Osborne.
Would you like to use your passion and creativity to nurture one of the country's most prestigious gardens and inspire visitors from across the world? Then join us as a Garden at Osborne, the home of Queen Victoria. This seaside estate, brimming with historic character and a wealth of exciting gardening opportunities, offers a remarkable setting in which to take the next step in your career.
Osborne is the leading English Heritage property on the Isle of Wight and attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. You'll be playing a vital role in maintaining and developing the grounds to ensure they reflect the grandeur that would have been familiar to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. You will be involved in all areas of the garden from the walled garden and glasshouses to the magnificent bedding displays, pleasure grounds and parkland.
Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.
Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings.
That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive training and CPD
- The opportunity to progress your career
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Flexible hours
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you and up to six friends and family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
-Corporate subscription / memberships to gardening organisations
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Options to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to 10%
As a Gardener, you'll play a vital role in ensuring our gardens are well maintained and presented wonderful places to spend time in. You'll contribute to bringing to life the stories that our gardens tell, helping visitors of all ages make new discoveries.
We're looking for someone with an eye for detail; high-quality garden experience; great plant knowledge and horticultural skills; and a great team player. The ability to use and demonstrate all necessary horticultural craft skills, machinery use and maintenance to the highest standards are also a must for this busy and dynamic role.
You will be qualified to at least NVQ level 2 standard in amenity horticulture. and have previous experience of working in a high-quality horticultural establishment. You will work to high standards and be effective and efficient when working on your own or as part of the wider team.
Find out more about us and what we do: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/ You can also meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/our-people/careers-with-us/
Everybody's welcome at English Heritage
Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.
We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.
If you would like to talk to us e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Toby Beasley, Head Gardener, on toby.beasley@english-heritage.org.uk No agencies please.
Interviews will be held on week commencing 5th May 2025. In person at Osborne.
