Volunteer with us

Be part of a friendly team

Our enthusiastic volunteers are at the heart of Holehird Gardens. Their support helps us maintain the glorious gardens that visitors enjoy year on year.

Each year, volunteers generously give more than 10,000 hours of their time to help keep the gardens looking as wonderful as they do. They enjoy learning new skills, being in the peaceful grounds, enjoying nature with fabulous Lakeland views, and so much more. 

Whatever your skills, we can put them to good use! 

Help is needed with:

The visitor reception

  • Volunteer in reception to welcome visitors to the garden from April to October and guides show visitors round the grounds.

Making tea and coffees for gardeners

  • Gardening is thirsty work, and our teams enjoy the communal tea break on Wednesday mornings.

IT

  • If you have IT skills, we would love to hear from you (there are opportunities to work from home too).

Maintenance

  • If you enjoy DIY, our tools and machinery need constant servicing and our grounds and buildings need maintaining to help keep our site tidy and safe.

Gardening

  • Whatever your background, from beginner to botanist, we always need more gardeners! Come and expand your horticultural skills with us.

Propagation

  • Our teams grow new plants for the garden and to sell to appreciative visitors. By joining these teams, you will learn lots of propagation techniques.

Administration

  • If you can give a few hours a week or a month, you can help provide vital administration that is needed to run our gardens.

Publicity and publications

  • If you love the written word, we always need help with publicity to help draw visitors to the gardens. We also need help with publications, including our journal, The Lakeland Gardener, and our regular newsletters.

Irrigation

  • If you have practical skills, there is a year round need for irrigation on site, despite the very wet Cumbrian climate!

Education

  • We always need help running public lectures, courses, and talks, throughout the year.

Most volunteers help out on Wednesdays but volunteering days and times are flexible and some roles can be done at home. 

Interested in volunteering?

To find out more, email our volunteer coordinator at volunteering@holehirdgardens.org.uk 

or call us on 015394 46008.