Holkham Estate

Holkham Hall is at the centre of the 26,000-acre estate and is surrounded by Victorian terraces and an arboretum with a Walled Garden by Samuel Wyatt, situated on the far side of the lake.

Holkham Estate has a rich and diverse garden and landscape history with Capability Brown, William Kent, Humphrey Repton and W.A Nesfield, all playing their part in shaping the grounds, gardens and landscape parkland.

The Walled Garden is the main horticultural visitor attraction, covering over six acres. The gardens were built in 1780 and one of the dominant features is the range of historic glasshouses, many of which have recently undergone restoration. The gardens are diverse and consist of a working vegetable garden, cut flower garden, ornamental garden, herbaceous borders, vineyard, exotic borders, maze and plant collections which include Citrus, Pelargonium and tall bearded iris.

A trainee based at Holkham Estate will take part in a broad range of practical skills and gain knowledge and experience in formative and routine pruning, propagation, glasshouse work, lawn care and maintenance, soil preparation including mulching and the use of rotavators and tillers. Training will be given on various machinery including compact tractors, hedge cutters, strimmers, mowers and leaf blowers.

Placements available: One

Staff numbers: 8 full-time horticulturists, 1 HBGTP trainee

Ease of access: 1.5 miles from Holkham Village, 19 miles from Sheringham railway station, 25 miles from Cromer railway station and 27 miles from King’s Lynn railway station.

Accommodation: The garden is able to offer some on-site rental accommodation for trainees most likely in a shared house with other estate staff.