Gardener - Dorking Summary This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your horticultural and greenkeeping career with the National Trust, working at one of Surrey’s most iconic gardens. As part of a talented, passionate and welcoming gardening team, you’ll build your skills and knowledge while helping to care for and shape a nationally important landscape. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals who value collaboration, creativity and sustainable horticulture. What it's like to work here Set within beautiful countryside, the 70-acre gardens at Polesden Lacey are as inspiring as they are varied. From the magnificent Rose Garden and ancient woodland to sweeping lawns with stunning views across the Surrey Hills, no two days are ever the same. You’ll be joining an exceptionally friendly, supportive and knowledgeable team, working together on exciting restoration projects that are breathing new life into this historic landscape. It’s a brilliant time to join us and play a hands-on role in the gardens’ ongoing transformation. What you'll be doing As a hands-on Gardener, you’ll be central to maintaining, developing and enhancing these remarkable gardens. Your role will include a wide range of practical horticultural tasks such as pruning, planting, mowing, strimming, hedge cutting and seasonal maintenance. You’ll gain valuable experience using and caring for high-performance garden and forestry machinery, and take ownership of specific areas of the garden, ensuring they are always presented to the highest standards. You’ll bring energy, curiosity and a genuine love of plants and outdoor work. In return, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a dynamic, evolving garden and the satisfaction of contributing to a place that inspires thousands of visitors every year. Who we're looking for Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below: knowledge of practical horticulture and plant care ability to contribute to teamwork and volunteer support understanding of machinery use and safety compliance experience in work programme and project support confidence in communication and public engagement Criteria for all other applicants: an enthusiastic horticulturist and hands-on gardener, who’s worked with hard landscaping before knowledgeable about plants, with a great eye for detail experienced with machinery, including tractors, chainsaws, rotary and cylinder mowers, and with some knowledge of maintenance a 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 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 (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.