Work Experience

Immerse yourself in the day-to-day workings of our gardens, and learn alongside professionals to gain skills and experience

Whether you’re aged between 14 and 18 in school year 10 upwards or already over 18 and looking to gain practical experience in horticulture to kickstart your career, join our expert gardeners and scientists to explore the fascinating world of plants, and discover what goes on behind the scenes to create beautiful gardens and the work we are doing to protect our natural environment.

Here's what you could experience

Work Experience

Work Experience Opportunities at the RHS

0:23

We are working hard to grow our work experience placements across all five RHS Gardens. In the meantime, placements are available at RHS Garden Wisley and RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Garden teams

Garden teams

Science & Collections

Science & Collections

Retail team

Retail team

Visitor Services

Visitor Services

Education Team

Education Team

What you’ll do
Our placements aim to give you the broadest possible experience. You’ll learn from and listen to those around you, be part of the team and be provided with the opportunity to get hands-on and try out new tasks!
Depending on your chosen area, activities could include:
  • Helping create and plant a seasonal display that will be admired by our visitors.
  • Supporting our horticulturists to maintain our existing plant collections.
  • Learning how our teams look after the health of our gardens.
  • Assisting with collecting and preparing plant materials for our herbarium.
  • Welcoming our visitors and provide them with fantastic customer service and smiles.
  • Helping our retail teams to create and maintain inspiring displays of our plants and goods available to buy.
Where could it lead?
Whether it helps you choose the subjects you study at school or college, or gets you interested in the apprenticeships we offer at the RHS, this placement could open your eyes to the type of career you are seeking and support you towards an exciting future ahead.
What you’ll need
To apply for the School Work Experience programme, you must be currently studying and aged 14-18 years. Applicants over 18 can apply for placements in our Curatorial teams only, subject to availability. 
You will need to wear practical clothing suitable for the time of the year. For certain roles you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use for the duration of your placement. 
 
What you’ll get
As well as gaining fantastic insight into the environment at the RHS and the work we do, you’ll develop valuable skills and hands-on experience alongside our experts, with ample opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
You’ll acquire a clearer understanding of the various career paths in horticulture and the exciting opportunities available to you should you wish to grow further.
Over 18?

If you’re starting out in your career, or are perhaps a career changer interested in moving into horticulture, we may be able to offer short placements in our Garden teams subject to availability.

Next steps

To apply for Work Experience, please fill in one of our online Expression of Interest forms:  

  • School Work Experience: If you are under the age of 16, please ask a parent or teacher to help you complete the application form. 
  • Adult Work Experience (over age 18): please this application form to express your interest.   

Please note: The work experience application portal is provided by Better Impact on behalf of RHS. When applying for work experience, you are leaving the RHS website, and will be governed by both the RHS and Better Impact’s privacy notices. Please read both privacy notices before you apply. 

T-level industry placements at the RHS

If you are studying for the T-Level Agriculture, Land Management and Production, you can undertake your compulsory industry placement within one of our horticultural teams at RHS Garden Wisley or RHS Garden Bridgewater.

  • Get real-life experience of working as part of the team in one of the UK’s most prestigious public gardens.
  • Learn hands-on alongside knowledgeable, skilled and experienced horticulturists about managing plant collections.
  • Be involved in day-to-day tasks in a diverse range of areas such as growing edible crops from around the world, managing woodlands, or learning how to be environmentally aware.

If you would like to undertake your T-Level with us, please contact [email protected] with the subject ‘T-Level’.
If you have a question on T-Level, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. 

Hear from our students

“I loved the work I did within my week of work experience, making me want to possibly start a career in horticulture”

“I loved the work I did within my week of work experience, making me want to possibly start a career in horticulture”

“I enjoyed working with plants and being educated on how products are made sustainable to help protect the environment”

“I enjoyed working with plants and being educated on how products are made sustainable to help protect the environment”

“I felt I really broadened my understanding of their work and different roles they had within the site”

“I felt I really broadened my understanding of their work and different roles they had within the site”

“I loved the work I did within my week of work experience, making me want to possibly start a career in horticulture”

“I loved the work I did within my week of work experience, making me want to possibly start a career in horticulture”

“I enjoyed working with plants and being educated on how products are made sustainable to help protect the environment”

“I enjoyed working with plants and being educated on how products are made sustainable to help protect the environment”

“I felt I really broadened my understanding of their work and different roles they had within the site”

“I felt I really broadened my understanding of their work and different roles they had within the site”

prev
next

See the range of options on offer

Browse our programmes

Teachers, parents, career advisors

Information

If you have a question on work experience, please see our Frequently Asked Questions section. 

FAQs

Contact us
For more information or if you have a question, please get in touch with the New Shoots team. 


E-mail:
[email protected]

You may also be interested in...

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.