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 Senior Gardener to join our team at Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens.

Belsay Hall and Castle is a key property within the English Heritage portfolio and attracts around 90,000 visitors each year. It forms part of the North Territory which also includes Brodsworth Hall, Richmond Castle and Mount Grace Priory. The gardens of Belsay Hall are exceptional, with a range of surviving garden layouts dating back to the high 'Picturesque period' of the nineteenth century. Bold Italian geometry and formalism contrasts with the exotic naturalism of the Quarry Gardens, and the Rhododendron Garden. The site has been subject to a major NLHF development with Dan Pearson the major garden designer. The ongoing maintenance and development of the features within the iconic terraces, woodland gardens and Quarry gardens that make up the setting of Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is a key part of this exciting role.

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%

Our Senior Gardeners work closely with our Head Gardener. You will play a vital role in ensuring that all work carried out in our gardens by our fantastic teams of gardeners and volunteers is to the highest of standards. You will find imaginative ways of bringing to life the stories that our gardens tell, helping visitors of all ages to make new discoveries.

You will have a high-quality garden experience, excellent plant knowledge and horticultural skills and a talent for leadership. This role will support the Head Gardener in uploading plant records to our database, using basic IT software.

You'll enhance our visitors day out from sharing your gardening knowledge, to ensuring their health and safety. Being able to ensure smooth running of weekly job rotas and input into the seasonal work plans are also a must for this busy and engaging role.

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 Debbie Crombie at deborah.crombie@english-heritage.org.uk No agencies please.

Interviews will be held on week commencing 30th June 2025 - In person at Belsay Hall, Castle and Garden

Closing date: 19/06/2025 23:59:59

You will need to refer to the following documents when completing your application.

Job Description