Fancy a spot of gardening? Hampton Court needs volunteers for its 60 acres!

It's a back-breaking challenge for any keen gardener but a fantastic opportunity work in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace alongside the River Thames.

Hampton Court is looking for volunteers to help to tend its 60 acres of world-famous gardens, 'preferably with some horticultural experience.'

The gardens, which are a massive tourist attraction, are home to the world's oldest puzzle maze, a record-breaking grape vine, three National Plant Collections and a huge variety of wildlife, including the descendants of Henry VIII's deer herd.

Summer sees the spectacular herbaceous border in the East Front Gardens at its best, while Queen Mary II's Exoticks come out in the Lower Orangery Garden.

The Great Vine grapes are harvested at the end of the summer, followed by autumn colours in the Tiltyard, Wilderness and 20th Century Garden as deers rut in Home Park.

In the winter, striking outlines of trees stretch across Home Park and, if we're lucky, snow highlights the topiary of the Privy Garden.

The gardens come to life in spring with over ONE MILLION flowering bulbs in the Wilderness and a riot of colour in the formal gardens.

If you are interested please contact Graham Dillamore, gardens and estate operations manager. Graham. [email protected]