At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of volunteers in maintaining historic gardens and sharing their stories.
- Company: Join English Heritage, a charity caring for England's historic sites.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, training opportunities, and free access to all English Heritage sites.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in preserving history while working in beautiful gardens.
- Qualifications: Passion for sustainable gardening and experience in horticulture preferred.
The predicted salary is between 26938 - 26938 £ per year.
Employer: Webrecruit - English Heritage
Location: Downe, Orpington, Kent
Salary: £26,938
Hours: Full Time
Place Of Work: Onsite
Closing date: 26 August 2026
Contract Type: Permanent
Function: Gardening Jobs
Sector: Countryside, Parks & Open Space
Seniority: Executive
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 the home of Charles Darwin, Down House. This role is a permanent position, working 36 hours per week.
With its unique place in scientific history, Down House is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world. It is here where Darwin worked for forty years and where the groundbreaking 'On the Origin of Species' was written, arguably one of the most important scientific works written in history.
You will be part of a diverse team overseeing a lively cohort of dedicated volunteers, bringing to life Darwin's work in what became his living landscape laboratory. 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 cafés
- 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 three 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 team of volunteers is to the highest of standards. You will find imaginative ways of bringing to life the stories that Down House Garden tells, helping visitors of all ages to make new discoveries.
You will have a high-quality garden experience with a passion for sustainable gardening and conservation, excellent plant knowledge and horticultural skills, and a talent for leadership. Experience working in organic historic kitchen gardens is highly desirable. You’ll enhance our visitors' day out from sharing your gardening knowledge to ensuring their health and safety. Being able to ensure the smooth running of weekly volunteer job rotas and input into the seasonal work plans is also a must for this busy and engaging role.
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 Antony O'Rourke, Head Gardener. Email: antony.o'rourke@english-heritage.org.uk.
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