Join the National Trust as a Bench Joiner, Internally known as a Lead Specialist Craftsperson) applying your traditional craft skills to help conserve some of the UK’s most significant historic buildings. Based at West Wycombe and working across London and the Southeast, you’ll be part of a skilled, multidisciplinary team dedicated to high-quality, conservation-led work. This is a rare opportunity to focus on craftsmanship over commercial pace.
Location: West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (with travel across London and the Southeast)
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum, depending on experience
What it's like to work here:You’ll be part of the Trust’s internal consultancy: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. As one of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors and project managers, you’ll be working with others to help make things happen.
This is a rare opportunity to apply your bench joinery skills within one of the UK's most respected heritage organisations, working across a portfolio of significant historic properties in the London and Southeast area. Based at West Wycombe and reporting to the Building Supervisor (Specialist Crafts), you'll work as part of a small, highly skilled craft team dedicated to the conservation and preservation of some of Britain's most important historic buildings. This is not a commercial environment — there are no production targets, no factory floor pressures, and no compromise on quality. The work demands patience, precision and a genuine respect for traditional methods and materials.
Why this role is different:
Working for the National Trust means your skills serve a genuine purpose beyond commercial output. Every repair you make, every component you craft, directly contributes to the preservation of buildings that have stood for centuries and will stand for centuries more. The pace allows you to do the job properly — using the right materials, the right techniques, and the right level of care that heritage work demands. If you're a bench joiner who has found commercial environments frustrating — too fast, too cost driven, too removed from real craft — this role offers something genuinely different.
What you'll be doing:Your work will be varied and deeply rewarding for someone who takes genuine pride in their craft. Day to day you'll be carrying out conservation repairs and producing faithful replacements using traditional techniques — working on windows, doors, staircases and bespoke joinery items specific to each historic property.
You'll produce condition reports detailing recommended repairs or replacements, fabricate and install specialist bespoke joinery, and work with traditional timber species and period appropriate profiles that simply don't exist in commercial joinery. Part of your role will also involve engaging with visitors and demonstrating the conservation work being carried out — raising the profile of traditional craft skills with the public.
Occasionally you'll support other National Trust properties and teams across the wider area, bringing variety and breadth to the role.
Who we're looking forWe’re looking for someone who can bring both expertise and curiosity to the role. You’ll hold a recognised qualification in bench joinery – such as City & Guilds, NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) – or be able to demonstrate comparable hands-on experience. You’ll already have well-developed workshop-based joinery skills, with a strong grounding in traditional craft techniques.
Just as importantly, you’ll have an understanding of – or a willingness to learn – conservation principles, using appropriate repair methods to care for historic buildings in a sensitive and sustainable way. A good working knowledge of Health & Safety and CDM regulations is essential to ensure safe and effective working practices.
You’ll be methodical and accurate in how you approach your work, whether recording assessments, tracking hours, or managing materials and costs. An interest in, or appreciation of, other traditional building trades will also stand you in good stead, as our team works collaboratively across disciplines to care for the places we look after.
The packageThe 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
- 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
Requirements :Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Permanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)
