You’ll be a Senior Gardner or Gardner looking for the next step: • Appropriate horticultural qualification. • A willingness to learn and develop your skills • Experience of garden development working with both staff and volunteers.• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. • Well organised and able to prioritise workload.• Experience of working in a visitor operation and developing a garden to enhance a visit to a heritage property. • Able to identify your own learning needs and a proactive approach to build your skills. Head GardenerThe Cumbria and Lancashire Cluster Group brings together some of the nations iconic landscapes and heritage properties, you’ll be part of a team that is spread across the cluster group providing inspiring and enthusiastic leadership to a team of Gardeners working across the Lake District and Eden area. The clustered way of working is a new approach so you will be an important part in creating new ways of working, providing strong leadership to your team and developing key relationships with the leadership team. We are open to supporting flexible working from one of the property offices within the Cluster (Wray, Allan Bank, Acorn Bank) combined with some home working. You’ll need to be able to travel between the garden locations and there is some travel required to internal and external conferences and meetings that may require nights away from home. Day to day in this secondment you'll be leading a team of Senior Gardeners and Gardners who look after a network of small but significant gardens, you’ll be able to develop your leadership skills through attendance at mandatory training and support from colleagues. You will gain experience working with our Specialist Delivery Team colleagues (fundraising, gardens, curators etc) to help develop new plans to celebrate and share these wonderful places. In your remit will be the iconic garden at Hilltop House where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous little books, the childhood home of William Wordworth in Cockermouth and Allan Bank the former home of Cannon Rawnsley a founder member of the National Trust. 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. Closing Date: 03 May 2026 *Internal Applicants only* Our colleagues work for the National Trust in many locations and sometimes don't have easy access to internal vacancy listings. Using the internet ensures we can reach as many of our colleagues as possible. We appreciate that this can be frustrating for external talent. Do note that some roles are released externally after an initial period. To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.ukIf you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.Equal Opportunities Statement 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. Safeguarding Statement The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes 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 at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre. Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. 172897IRC172897PenrithPermanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)Ends: May 3rd 235.9 mi from HayesINTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLYWe’re looking for a Head Gardener to lead a team of staff and volunteers and to guide the care and future development of the gardens in the Lake District and Eden Valleys.This is a fixed term contract until 31st December 2026. Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, CA10 1SPCompliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK30,966 pa