Seasonal Gardener – Work Placement

Harewood House Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a Seasonal Gardener to join our experienced Gardens Team for a six-month placement. Working within our nationally significant Grade I listed gardens and landscape, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience while helping care for one of Yorkshire’s most inspiring visitor destinations.

Whether you’re beginning your horticultural career or looking to build on existing experience, this placement offers the chance to work alongside skilled gardeners, contribute to ambitious garden projects, and be part of an organisation that welcomes over 250,000 visitors each year.

What You’ll Be Doing

Working alongside our Senior Gardener and experienced Gardens Team, you’ll help maintain and enhance Harewood’s beautiful gardens while developing your practical horticultural skills.

Your work will include:

• Maintaining flower borders, shrubberies, formal gardens and the kitchen garden to a high standard.
• Planting, propagating and caring for a diverse range of ornamental and edible plants, both outdoors and under glass.
• Pruning trees, shrubs, roses, climbers and hedges using seasonal best practice.
• Operating and maintaining horticultural machinery and equipment safely.
• Supporting environmentally responsible gardening, including composting and sustainable horticultural practices.
• Helping supervise and encourage volunteers, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.
• Engaging positively with visitors, helping create an outstanding experience for everyone who visits the gardens.
• Supporting biodiversity and conservation across Harewood’s gardens, woodland and parkland.
• Assisting with occasional weekend duties and supporting special events across the estate.

What we are looking for:

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in producing high standards, and is keen to learn from experienced horticultural professionals.

You’ll ideally have:

• A relevant horticultural qualification (RHS Level 2 or equivalent preferred).
• A full, clean UK driving licence.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• A positive, enthusiastic and flexible approach to work.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a supportive team.
• A strong work ethic with a willingness to learn new skills.
• An interest in sustainable gardening and caring for historic landscapes.
• An appreciation of Harewood’s charitable purpose and commitment to welcoming diverse audiences.

Experience working in public gardens or historic landscapes would be an advantage, but enthusiasm, commitment and a genuine passion for horticulture are equally important.

Why Join Harewood?

This placement offers an exceptional opportunity to develop practical skills across a wide range of horticultural disciplines while working in one of the country’s most significant historic gardens.

You’ll gain experience in:

• Historic garden maintenance and conservation.
• Plant propagation and cultivation.
• Seasonal horticultural techniques.
• Sustainable gardening and biodiversity management.
• Working alongside volunteers and engaging with visitors.
• Using professional horticultural machinery and equipment.
• Supporting a busy, collaborative gardens team.

Most importantly, you’ll be helping protect and enhance an extraordinary landscape for future generations.