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 Gardener to join our team at Mount Grace Priory. This is a full time role working 36 hours per week, on a 9 month fixed term contract Fixed term contract for 9 months with the possibility of extension.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join our team. Mount Grace Priory is the best-preserved and most accessible 'charterhouse' of the ten Carthusian monasteries in Britain. The gardens surrounding them are unique, with a range of garden layouts dating back to the medieval period. The priory was incorporated into a 17th Century manor house and a larger house of the early 1900's owned by the wealthy industrialist Sir Lowthian Bell. It is to his landscape gardens created in the nineteenth century that English Heritage has undertaken an extensive program of revitalisation, with a leading contemporary designer Chris Beardshaw to enhance the character of the 'Arts and Crafts' terraces and main garden areas. In addition is a restoration of the medieval 'Monks Cell' Garden and a regeneration of the broader landscape and water features.
You will be instrumental in developing both the site, the gardening and volunteering teams as well as managing the horticulture on the satellite sites of Richmond Castle with its 'Contemporary Heritage' 'Cockpit Garden, Rievaulx Abbey, and Barnard Castle.
If you are passionate about maintaining and developing historic gardens, have experience of working in commercial horticulture, and thrive on working in a busy environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team, this may be the role for you. Operating in a remarkable setting, you will use your specialist knowledge to ensure Mount Grace Priory Gardens are a fantastic place to visit, helping us cultivate memorable surroundings for visitors to explore. Our gardens are an important part of creating a pleasurable and inspiring visitor experience.
English heritage cares for over 400 historic monuments, buildings and sites. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million visitors each year. No matter what they do and where they do it, our people play their part in protecting and
presenting some of the greatest places in England for the benefit and enjoyment of our visitors.
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
- 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%
As a Gardener, you'll play a vital role in ensuring our gardens are well maintained and presented wonderful places to spend time in. You'll contribute to bringing to life the stories that our gardens tell, helping visitors of all ages make new discoveries.
You will be qualified to at least NVQ level 2 standard in amenity horticulture. and have previous experience of working in a high-quality horticultural establishment. You will work to high standards and be effective and efficient when working on your own or as part of the wider team.
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- James Taylor, Head Gardener, on [email protected] No agencies please.
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Interviews will be held on week commencing 29th June at Mount Grace Priory.
Closing date: 27/06/2026 23:59:59
