Are you an experienced gardener and people manager ready to discover a new garden and take on a fresh challenge?
We’re offering the opportunity to apply for the position of Head Gardener at Quarry Bank. This beautiful garden is an integral part of the visitor experience at this popular historic site of key significance.
What it’s like to work here
The Quarry Bank story is of the early Industrial Revolution when society stood at a turning point. The Mill was the beating heart of cotton production and powerhouse of noise and vibration. Set next to it is the picturesque garden, a striking contrast to the industrial hub. Our main focus is on telling the story of the first 50 years of Quarry Bank and the people who lived and worked here.
The gardens themselves contain 17th Century picturesque elements, plus a Victorian parterre and rock gardens. There is also a stunning restored wall garden and vinery with productive horticulture. Additionally, the garden includes orchards, wildflower meadows, ornamental borders and striking geology, all with a river running through it.
We welcome more than 250,000 visitors a year who come to enjoy all we have to offer here are Quarry Bank.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll be leading the garden team to deliver high horticultural presentation standards and giving our visitors enjoyable and memorable experiences that encourage them to return. You’ll need proven horticulture experience and also great leadership skills as you’ll be directing a team of dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers.
You’ll need to be able to carry out physically demanding work on a site with some challenging topography and combine this with the planning and administration work needed to develop, enhance and conserve the garden. It’s a changing picture as we continue to respond to some of the ongoing climate and environmental issues that all gardens are facing and creative thinking will be needed to ensure the long term resilience of the site.
You’ll be expected to lead on any garden development projects and work collaboratively with colleagues on their successful implementation. The garden also provides an important setting for many added value events and programming activities and you’ll be responsible for ensuring strong cross team co-operation for delivery of these.
The Head Gardener is an integral member of the Property Leadership team as well as a part of the Duty Gardener rota which ensures seven day cover in the gardens during opening hours.
Who we’re looking for
To be successful in this roleyou should be able to demonstrate that:
- You have proven horticultural experience, preferably in a similar role and visitor-facing setting, along with RHS level 3 in horticulture or equivalent vocational experience.
- You are a leader of people, able and willing to motivate and inspire your team of 5 staff and 60 volunteers.
- You will be able to carry out physically demanding daily tasks outdoors in all weathers, on a site with mixed topography and competent in operating typical garden machinery and equipment.
- You will be highly organised and focused, to deliver the departmental planning, budget management and compliance and a confident computer user.
- You are an effective collaborator and able to work outside your area of technical expertise to offer support to a wider team for achieving property objectives, such as garden based events
The package
The 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)
- Season ticket loan
- 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 programmeFree parking at most Trust places
National Trust place
Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow, SK9 4LA
Additional information
Closing Date: Sunday 23rd August 2026
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversityhere .
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
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