Audley End House and Gardens (English Heritage)

Audley End House and Gardens is an historic 100-acre site with a wonderful selection of garden areas, originally designed by ‘Capability’ Brown, one of the most English famous landscape architects.

The gardens include a beautifully restored Jacobean parterre, designed by William Sawrey Gilpin in c1830. Combining a mix of shrubs, herbaceous perennials and annuals, the Parterre is a unique delight.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown in the organic Victorian walled kitchen garden which covers 2-acres. All food grown is put to good use either through sales to visitors or sold to a local organic box scheme.

Trainees will have the opportunity to learn in an environment that offers a hugely varied range of skills and techniques. Trainees will rotate around the different areas of the garden, working in the ornamental gardens, landscape and Kitchen Garden with its historic Vinery and Orchard House. Over the 12 months, trainees will gain a variety of practical skills, including use of machinery such as pedestrian mowers, hedge cutters, leaf blowers and use of a woodchipper (with qualified staff). They will also gain experience in planting (including bulbs and bedding schemes) pruning (including roses and fruit trees), propagation, cultivation, path maintenance and glasshouse care. There is the opportunity to participate in spraying (if qualified) and chainsaw work (if qualified).

Trainees will receive the support they need to build their confidence to carry out a large range of horticultural tasks to a high standard. They will have a sound understanding of the principles behind the practice and will be well set-up to take the next step in their career. There are several previous HBGTP trainees who have stayed on to work at Audley End, including the current Head Gardener.

Placements available: Two

Staff numbers: 10 horticulturalists, 2 HBGTP trainees, 60 volunteers

Ease of access: Audley End station is just over a mile away. The market town of Saffron Walden, which also has a train station, is 2 miles away.

Accommodation: No dedicated accommodation available.