Volunteering at Woolbeding Gardens

Volunteer gardener at work in the flower border in June at Godolphin, Cornwall — Volunteer gardener working in the flower border at Woolbeding Gardens | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Each year volunteers join us in caring for Woolbeding Gardens, and there are plenty of rewarding roles available if you would like to help us to look after this special place. Find out how you can volunteer and help others to enjoy the garden.

A wide variety of roles

Whether you'd like to be front of house or in the gardens, there's a role to suit everyone. Just one day a week helps make Woolbeding Gardens the engaging place it is.

General gardeners

Garden volunteers are a physically active team who work one day per week throughout the year.

Gardening tasks range from weeding and planting to clearing overgrown areas. Volunteers are split into teams that cover the formal walled gardens, the lake and landscape gardens, or the new Silk Route garden. National Trust staff are on hand to advise and you’ll often work alongside them.

If you enjoy gardening and like the idea of working outdoors then the general gardener role might be what you’re looking for.

Visitors on a guided group tour with a volunteer guide at Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire in September — Volunteer garden hosts giving introduction talks, London and south east | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Visitor welcome

Visitor welcome volunteers help make a memorable experience for all visitors. The team are involved in giving guidance and information throughout the day for all visitors and processing admissions. If you’re great at multi-tasking then this will come easy to you. Please consider this role if you enjoy helping people to have a good day.

Garden hosts

Garden hosts help bring the history of the gardens to life through an introductory talk to visitors. The 10-minute talk gives an insight into the gardens which helps visitors before they set off and explore. This role focuses on history and gardening and is suitable for someone who can easily engage with people.

Drivers

We run a courtesy seven seater multiple person vehicle (MPV) that collects and returns visitors from nearby Midhurst. If you enjoy driving and would like to be the first point of contact for all visitors, a role as a volunteer driver could be for you.

A close up image of a pair of hands gently pricking out seedlings in a seed tray — Volunteer transplanting seedlings, London and south east | © National Trust Images/Chris Davies

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.

Everyone is welcome

Our diverse volunteering team comprises of people from all walks of life, many of whom are active retired people who aren't ready to put their feet up yet.

Enjoy the perks

For regular volunteers, we offer free entry to all National Trust properties, discounts in our shops and tea-rooms. There are also behind the scenes visits to local heritage sites, social events and other visits throughout the year.