Volunteering at Branscombe

People inside a mill looking at the internal cog mechanisms — Mill volunteer with visitors looking at the mill workings at Branscombe, East Devon | © ©National Trust Images/Eric Macdonald

Looking after the countryside and heritage around Branscombe is a big job, and we can always use a helping hand. Whether you’re green-fingered or mechanically minded, your skills will help us keep this wonderful area in tip-top condition. Find out what kind of volunteer roles are on offer, and how to apply if you’re interested in joining the team.

Why join us?

There are lots of reasons to join us; making the move to volunteer could be the best decision you ever make.

Become part of a friendly and dedicated team
Meet people from all walks of life and forge new friendships
Utilise your existing skills and learn new ones
Strengthen your CV and help to develop your career
Enjoy the great outdoors
Learn about the history of this special place.

Become a mill volunteer

Manor Mill guides provide a warm and friendly welcome to all our visitors. By sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm, our guides help others learn how the power of water has been used here for over 300 years, to grind grain (barley, wheat and oats) into animal feed or flour.

We also need volunteers who can help run and maintain the mill.

Workshop jobs

Good with your hands? Why not join us at our Branscombe workshop to help make benches, repair gates and refurbish signs, then install or reinstall them around the countryside.

Helping with events

Are you a people person? If so, you could join our events team and help out with our future calendar of happenings.

Eyes and Ears Rangers

Enjoy regular walks in the countryside and being outdoors in the fresh air? Our Eyes and Ears Rangers make sure our sites are looking their best, pick up litter, talk to visitors, and let us know if they see any issues with footpaths or overgrown vegetation.

A volunteer and ranger at Leigh Woods, Bristol — Volunteers working in the woodland at Branscombe, Devon | © National Trust Images / Nicole Daw

Conservation Volunteer roles at Branscombe

Hedge laying

Hedge laying is a traditional method of maintaining and regenerating hedgerows. This helps to prolong the life of the hedge, create a stock-proof boundary, as well as improving wildlife habitats. All you need is a pair of wellies and some gloves and we’ll get you started.

Scrub clearance

Help us uncover the past. We're removing scrub from several hillforts and important grassland sites in the area to help protect the archaeology and improve the habitat for wildflowers.

Strimming

This is just one of the activities that keeps us very busy in the spring and summer months. Miles of footpath and car parks need to be kept clear of overzealous nettles and brambles.

Coppicing

Help us see the wood for the trees. Coppicing is a longstanding woodland management technique with which we help keep our ancient woodlands healthy and full of wildlife.