The Christopher Lloyd Scholarship

The Christopher Lloyd Scholar spends a year working in the garden at Great Dixter, learning from Fergus and the team. They are paid a national living wage and are offered subsidised accommodation on-site. 

The scholarship is aimed at improving the skills within UK horticulture and is open to UK citizens or anyone who is eligible to work in the UK.

The aim of the Christopher Lloyd Scholarship is to provide UK gardeners with a chance to develop a deep practical skill-set and an understanding of a ‘sense of place’ needed to manage complex, innovative flower gardens such as Great Dixter. It is hoped that the Scholars, in turn, will inspire a future generation of UK gardeners, passing on knowledge and skills.

The scholarship is primarily a practical training position: while scholars will have the opportunity to attend study days and other courses on site and beyond, applicants should be aware that learning will mostly be through hands on learning in the garden.

The Scholars are paid as a Great Dixter employee during the 12 month programme and the placement begins in September 2024. The scholars will be paid minimum wage and have the option of living in subsidised accommodation on site. 

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and be at least 18 years of age.

Selection Criteria

Successful applicants will have:

• Previous horticultural training and work experience
• Qualifications, including vocationally relevant qualifications
• Interest and motivation to work in the sector
• Skills that the placement would develop or enhance
• A desire for self-development and their own goals

The Christopher Lloyd Scholarship has been generously supported by the Club 22 donors.

It is important to us that we maintain the international nature of our horticultural placements. People from outside the UK should register their interest via the other placements page.