Gardener / Senior Gardener in Lowick

20 hrs per week, 2 sites: Lawson Park LA21 8AD & The Farmer’s Arms LA12 8DT. The role is split approx. 70/30 between sites, but this may vary seasonally and according to our programme. PAYE, £28,500 - £31,000 pro rata, based on experience. Application deadline: 9am GMT Wednesday 1st July 2026.

Grizedale Arts is a dynamic and influential cultural organisation (a reg. charity), active and impactful in local, national and international contexts. Our bases are Lawson Park (East of Lake, Coniston) and The Farmer’s Arms (Lowick). We are looking for a Gardener or Senior Gardener to contribute to the care and development of the land and gardens at our two exceptional sites. This new role has arisen from a restructuring of what were previously two part time posts, creating an exciting opportunity central to the next stage of our organisational development.

Lawson Park (LA21 8AD) is our artists’ residency base, a former hill farm, high above Coniston Water on the edge of Grizedale Forest. With a varied 3 acres or so under cultivation (in an estate of 12 acres), it's at an exciting crossroads, having reached some maturity, yet with scope for new areas to meet the needs of major projects nearing completion, such as the Black Shed. Protecting the site's exceptional biodiversity is a priority, as is adapting to the increasing challenges of climate change. The gardens' purpose is to support and inspire Grizedale Arts’ creative projects, residents and volunteers, provide fresh produce for the residence and embody the everyday creativity that is the central ethos of the organisation. Regular day and residential volunteering is encouraged, and new gardener‑led initiatives include a 'Gardener's Get Together' for early and mid career horticulturalists taking place at both sites on Sept 25-28th 2026. Lawson Park has opened for the National Garden Scheme and now open independently for private groups and the public. 2026's Open Weekend is June 27 & 28. Tuesdays are open by appointment almost year-round.

The Farmer’s Arms (LA12 8DT) was acquired in 2021 and we have since been developing ornamental, productive and biodiversity‑led gardens on its 6 acres of former sheep grazing. We have attracted support from Cumbria Community Fund, Friends of the Lake District, The Royal Countryside Fund and King Charles’ Community Orchard fund. The Farmer’s Arms gardens won a DEFRA Bees Needs Award in 2024 and featured in the RHS ‘The Garden’ August ’25 issue. They are in part maintained by the participants of the monthly Gardening School run by Karen Guthrie.

What are we looking for? You will need to be an experienced professional gardener: adaptable, resourceful and resilient, with a strong interest in how gardening and gardens can contribute to the ambitions and achievements of Grizedale Arts. Lawson Park’s full gardening team (including any day volunteers) work together on Tuesdays only, so an ability to quickly assess the week’s priorities and run all working days efficiently is vital. We favour low cost skills‑based approaches such as growing from seed, making rather than buying, using ingenuity and the natural and human resources we have. At The Farmer’s Arms you will often be the sole gardener, so you will need to be self‑motivated and very well‑organised. The role will be predominantly maintenance of containers and borders, and liaison with colleagues to coordinate programming and tasks. As the pub offers diverse special events such as weddings and outdoor education, the successful candidate should have experience in meeting varied needs in gardens and outdoor spaces, with skills in floristry, art installation or carpentry being an advantage.

Job Description

• General garden maintenance and management of plantings e.g. weeding, mulching, pruning, staking, deadheading, clearing spent foliage, planting etc.
• Other grounds & outbuildings maintenance e.g. mowing, hedge maintenance, fencing, walling, drainage etc.
• Assisting with container gardening, and polytunnel management and maintenance.
• Assisting with composting and waste disposal.
• Contributing to garden and outdoor space management & project planning.
• Pest and disease control through organic methods.
• Harvesting and processing of produce & cut flowers.
• Seasonal tasks e.g. watering, feeding, deck cleaning etc.
• Management of habitats for biodiversity & rare species.
• Helping prepare for and staff garden open days and visits.
• Record keeping on our web‑based database.
• Helping to produce and deliver community and/or peer education events.
• Contributing to the cleaning and maintenance of staff facilities.
• Deputising for the Head Gardener when required.

Person Specification

• Practical gardening experience in comparable gardens, equivalent of minimum 2 years full‑time employment, not only as a sole gardener.
• Good and wide‑range horticultural skills and plant knowledge across ornamentals, wildflower habitats, woody plants, fruit and vegetables.
• Physically fit and able to cope with sustained manual work in challenging weather and difficult ground conditions.
• A can‑do team player, with problem‑solving skills and the capacity to rise to challenges with good humour.
• Commitment to using environmentally conscientious practices, re‑using and adapting resources and minimising waste.
• Ability to work effectively both alone, in a small garden team and in mixed‑skill groups (e.g. with volunteers).
• Respect for and interest in design, architecture and/or the arts and their practitioners.
• Interest in and engagement with contemporary horticultural debates.
• Good written communication skills and good IT literacy.
• Commitment to working within Health and Safety compliance guidelines at all times.
• Competence with all common manual garden tools.
• Competence with powered garden tools including hedge trimmers and mowers.
• Chainsaw certification / accreditation is highly desirable; if the successful candidate does not have this at the time of appointment they will be expected to acquire it within the 6 month probationary period (training costs will be covered by employer).
• Full, clean UK driving licence & reliable personal transport.
• RHS Level 2 Principles of Horticulture or equivalent qualification.
• Fieldcraft and/or building skills such as coppicing, forestry, walling or carpentry.
• Experience of employment in gardens which open to the public.
• Experience of working alongside, or of managing, volunteers.
• Qualifications or professional experience in design, architecture and/or the arts.

What We Offer

• PAYE appointment (£28,500 - £31,000 based on experience, reviewed annually) which can be a standard or an annualised hours contract, allowing for flexibility between winter and summer.
• Holiday entitlement of 30 days pro‑rata.
• Training & CPD opportunities, both within Grizedale Arts and with external partners.
• Access to land, workshop and pottery facilities at The Farmer’s Arms.
• Opportunities for travel and additional employment on relevant GA projects.
• Opportunities for supported self‑initiated enterprises.
• Discounts on events, food, educational programming, accommodation & retail at The Farmers Arms.

Days / Hours

Usual working pattern will be Lawson Park: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9am - 5pm. The Farmer’s Arms: Thursdays 9am - 1pm. From time to time, the split of hours between both sites will differ according to seasonal needs and tasks at hand. Occasionally different days / weekend / evening work at either site may be required, for which Time Off In Lieu will be agreed. Some holiday allowance must be taken during fixed closure periods (e.g Christmas).

Questions? Please contact Head Gardener Karen Guthrie by email at karen@grizedale.org.