Ness Botanic Gardens

Ness Botanic Gardens is part of the University of Liverpool. Covering 64 acres, there are stunning views across the Dee estuary to North Wales.

The gardens feature a variety of planted areas, including a rock garden, kitchen garden, woodland gardens, Mediterranean garden and herbaceous borders. There are Alpine and Arid Plant glasshouses.

The gardens were founded in 1898 by Arthur Bulley. Today – as a university botanic garden – there is an emphasis on education, research and conservation.

Trainees at Ness will have the opportunity to work across the garden with the team, and to use a wide range of hand-held and ride-on machinery. There will also be opportunities to support University activity on main campus in Liverpool. Working in a botanic garden, trainees will develop their plant knowledge and have opportunities to learn about plant record management using IrisBG, and they will have access to the library. There will also be the opportunity to study towards an RHS Level 2 or 3 qualification.

Placements available: One

Staff numbers: A garden team of ten staff; 1 HBGTP trainee, 60 garden volunteers; 20 plant collection volunteers.

Ease of access: Neston railway station is 8 minutes’ drive away, or 18 minutes by bus. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 1 hour’s drive away.

Accommodation: No dedicated accommodation available.