Volunteer opportunities at Ightham Mote

A volunteer talking to children outside Ightham Mote, Kent — A volunteer talking to children outside Ightham Mote | © National Trust Images/David Levenson

A 14th-century moated manor house surrounded by peaceful gardens, Ightham Mote is a fascinating place with 700 years’ worth of stories to tell. Join the volunteer team bringing Ightham Mote’s stories to life and helping to conserve its history for future generations. Whether you're a student or a retiree, there's something for everyone.

Ightham Mote is supported by fantastic cohorts of Volunteers and although we are looking for Volunteers 365 days a year, we particularly have a keen interest in volunteers for the following roles -

Rangers - at Cobham Wood
Gardening Team - propagation, planting and general garden duties - Ightham Mote
Bakery assistant - Ightham Mote
Community Engagement - Ightham Mote
Bird and butterfly surveyors - Cobham Wood/Ightham Mote
Second hand bookshop Volunteers - Ightham Mote
House Experience Volunteers - Ightham Mote

These are beautiful areas in the local community locality and really interesting roles, to suit all abilities and ages.

If you are interested in any of these roles or would like to learn more, please e-mail our Senior Volunteer and Community Officer at paul.barnard@nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

Come along to one of our Coffee Mornings

We’re looking for new volunteers to share their love of Ightham Mote and the North Kent Portfolio with visitors.

We are holding a Coffee Morning in the Squires Room at 10 - 11:30am on 6 March, 5 June & 18 September 2025 for people who are looking to volunteer in the future at Ightham Mote, where potential volunteers can come along for a coffee and a chat.

Just drop us an email at IghthamMoteVolunteering@nationalturst.org.uk or give us call on 01732 810378 for information on our upcoming coffee mornings.

As part of your volunteering you will be provided with induction and training to help you get the very best out of your volunteering.

Join the team

Volunteers at Ightham Mote come from all walks of life and have different interests and motivations. Whether you’re a student looking for work experience; unemployed and wanting to bolster your CV; in work but keen to do something in your spare time; or retired and needing to get out of the house, we’d love to hear from you.

Whatever your motivation, by joining our friendly team you’ll get to meet new people, gain extra knowledge and be involved in conserving part of Ightham Mote’s history.

‘To me, volunteering means staying active, doing something both useful and enjoyable, keeping fit and giving something back to the National Trust in return for the pleasure it has given me over the years.’

- Derek, garden volunteer

Ways to volunteer at Ightham Mote

Ightham Mote isn’t a place of grand avenues and imposing vistas; although it was built to impress, it now seems understated, with a quirky charm of its own. The buildings and gardens evoke a deep sense of history, with the people who have lived here all leaving their mark.

Volunteers support in all aspects of caring for and opening Ightham Mote. Here’s a sample of the various roles volunteers are currently enjoying:

Room guide
Garden volunteer
Ranger
Second-hand Bookshop volunteer
Garden guide
Café volunteer
Welcome volunteer
Admin volunteer
Learning volunteer

If any of the above sounds like something you'd enjoy, please get in touch and share your skills.

Other ways to get involved

As well as regular volunteering there are opportunities to get involved through internships, work experience and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

We offer one-week placements to students from the age of 16 who have a genuine interest in history, heritage and or agriculture. We also offer volunteering placements for the duration of six months for students who are going for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Our programme offers students the opportunity to gain experience in retail, visitor engagement, gardening and conservation and collections care.

‘I love my volunteering. Once I retired, I volunteered to give me structure to my week, but now it's part of my life.’

- Martin, room guide

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.

Get in touch about Volunteering at Ightham Mote

Interested in finding out more about volunteering at Ightham Mote? Pop in and speak to a member of the team or email our volunteer team to find out more.