HBGTP Notifications
Applications are now closed. The next opportunity to apply to become a HBGTP trainee will be March 2025, for a September 2025 start.
If you would like to receive a notification when applications are open then please sign up below.
You can also find out lots more about the programme by visiting our Traineeship Information page or by downloading our handbook here.
Become a 2025 Placement Garden
Each year we look for prestigious historic and botanic gardens to join us in hosting a HBGTP trainee. If you are interested, please click the button below to read our placement provider criteria.
At this time we are accepting placement garden applications for traineeships commencing in September 2025. A bursary of over £8,000 towards the cost of a trainee salary is offered to eligible gardens.
Applications must be submitted by the 1st December 2024.
Newgardens announced
2024 Placement Gardens
We are happy to announce that the gardens offering placements from September 2024 will be as follows:
- Aldourie Castle
- Audley End House and Gardens (English Heritage)
- Cambo Gardens
- Chatsworth
- Fulham Palace House and Garden
- Hatfield House
- Helmingham Hall Gardens
- Holkham Estate
- Newby Hall
- Osborne (English Heritage)
- Picton Castle and Gardens
- Walmer Castle and Gardens (English Heritage)
- Winterbourne House and Garden
- Wrest Park (English Heritage)
The Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme began in 2006, with an aim to ensure that the skills needed to work in a historic or botanic garden were passed on to those passionate and committed to a career in horticulture.
The Programme:
- The HBGTP provides full-time paid work (minimum of national living wage) as a trainee gardener in a UK historic or botanic garden, placements last 12 months and start in September each year.
- Specialist on-the-tools training is combined with written projects, plant idents and a daily journal.
- You can apply from the start of March 2024, via this website. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to apply but must be able to demonstrate some prior paid or voluntary experience working in the horticulture sector.
