Work With Us

Hard work, but totally worth it

Strawberries and raspberries are normally picked from May until October. The rest of the year we are busy planting and looking after the plants. Some of the work available is in our Packhouse, weighing and checking the fruit before sale. Working mostly in a team with other people, everyone receives training and team leaders are always around to help. As fruit needs to be harvested when it is cool, work will often start at 5am. We usually harvest fruit 6 days/ week but due to the variability of weather, crop timing and customer demand, working hours vary.

We want all our temporary seasonal workers to have a productive and enjoyable time on the farm

Competitive rates & plenty of work

We pay very competitive rates of pay and offer plenty of work. Many jobs, such as picking, are paid ‘piece rate’. So the more you do, the more you earn. Good harvest workers can earn £700/week, often more, and most people earn much more than the living wage. Everyone is expected to pick a target number of kilos each hour. This changes depending on the density of the crop, the weather, and the time of year.

Manual work involves lifting, bending and twisting as you forage for the fruit or help grow the plants. So being fit and healthy – or willing to improve your fitness – is essential!

Interested in picking fruit?

Apply today

Comfortable, Convenient Living

We have six accommodation sites located conveniently close to the working areas around the farm. Each site is safe, comfortable and secure and is looked after by a warden. Accommodation is in a mix of mobile homes, portakabins and accommodation units. Generally you will be sharing with 1 – 4 people depending on the unit. All sites have cooking facilities, showers and toilets, social areas and washing facilities including tumble dryers. Bedding (Duvet, Pillows and Sheets) is provided. You will need to bring with you eating and cooking utensils.

If you choose to live on the farm, you will be given free use of our accommodation. This includes use of the facilities, cleaning, and general camp maintenance although in certain circumstances we may charge for electricity used. Under the rules for the National Minimum Wage in the UK, there is provision for offsetting a limited amount against the provision of free accommodation against relevant earnings. This will be explained in more detail during your job interview.

Ana Yordanova

Recruitment co-ordinator

Apply for a job

Stronger Together

Stronger Together is a multi-stakeholder business-led initiative aiming to reduce modern slavery particularly forced labour, labour trafficking and other hidden third party exploitation of workers. They provide guidance, training, resources and a network for employers, labour providers, workers and their representatives to work together to reduce exploitation.

Where can I go food shopping and how do I get there?: There is transport to the supermarket once a week from each accommodation site. Your Camp Warden/Manager will tell you the date and time that the bus leaves from your specific accommodation site.

There is transport to the supermarket once a week from each accommodation site. Your Camp Warden/Manager will tell you the date and time that the bus leaves from your specific accommodation site.
Where will I be living and with who?: We have six accommodation sites which all differ slightly from each other. Please see our accommodation section on the website for more information.

We have six accommodation sites which all differ slightly from each other. Please see our accommodation section on the website for more information.

We welcome any requests to live with friends, partner/spouse or family members. You will need to provide this information prior to your arrival so that our Accommodation Team can plan your room.
Are there any social activities outside of work?: Yes. We organise BBQs throughout the season on each accommodation site where everyone can get together and enjoy a burger, hopefully in the sun! We also offer discounted trips to various locations such as Thorpe Park theme park and Brighton but these locations will differ year on year.

Yes. We organise BBQs throughout the season on each accommodation site where everyone can get together and enjoy a burger, hopefully in the sun! We also offer discounted trips to various locations such as Thorpe Park theme park and Brighton but these locations will differ year on year.

A highlight for many here at Hugh Lowe Farms is our Football Tournament which runs for 2 months and ends with an exciting final match followed by a BBQ for all those competing and spectating.
Will I be greeted by anyone when I arrive at the farm?: Yes, you will be greeted by our Welfare Manager or your Camp Warden depending on which accommodation site you are living on. They will be expecting you and will show you to your room. You will then be shown around the site and given your Welcome Information. If you arrive late in the evening you will have your orientation the following day.

Yes, you will be greeted by our Welfare Manager or your Camp Warden depending on which accommodation site you are living on. They will be expecting you and will show you to your room. You will then be shown around the site and given your Welcome Information. If you arrive late in the evening you will have your orientation the following day.

How am I going to be paid for my work?: Your wages are paid each week into a UK bank account by BACS (Bankers’ Automates Clearing Services).

Your wages are paid each week into a UK bank account by BACS (Bankers’ Automates Clearing Services).

You can’t use a bank account from your home country, but we will help you open one here.

Your payslips will be securely emailed to your unique email address each week.
How much will I get paid?: The minimum you will be paid is the National Living Wage. This hourly rate is set by the British Government and changes on 1^st April each year. We pay the top rate to all workers regardless of age.

The minimum you will be paid is the National Living Wage. This hourly rate is set by the British Government and changes on 1^st April each year. We pay the top rate to all workers regardless of age.

Your pay will often be calculated by the piecework method. This means you are paid by how much you pick. Therefore, the harder you work the more you will be paid. Your working hours and piece rate bonuses are recorded accurately and automatically using our field recording software.
How do I find out if I can work in the UK?: We welcome applications from anyone eligible to work in the UK. You can work here if you have British citizenship, EU Settled Status or EU Pre Settled Status. If you are from another country you may also be eligible. Please contact us via jobs@hlf.co.uk if you are unsure whether you are able to take paid employment in the UK and we can help you find out.

We welcome applications from anyone eligible to work in the UK. You can work here if you have British citizenship, EU Settled Status or EU Pre Settled Status. If you are from another country you may also be eligible. Please contact us via jobs@hlf.co.uk if you are unsure whether you are able to take paid employment in the UK and we can help you find out.
How do I apply for a job and when do I find out if I have been successful?: You can

You can

1. Apply through our website via the following link www.hughlowefarms.com. Follow the “APPLY FOR A JOB” button

2. Email your details to jobs@hlf.co.uk

Successful candidates will be contacted by one of our recruitment people via phone or messenger as soon as possible.
Do I need any previous experience this line of work?: Although beneficial, it is not necessary for you to have any relevant work experience. We provide thorough training in the form of inductions and continual support and guidance so you are given the best opportunity to learn and develop within your role here.

Although beneficial, it is not necessary for you to have any relevant work experience. We provide thorough training in the form of inductions and continual support and guidance so you are given the best opportunity to learn and develop within your role here.
What work will I be doing?: The majority of the work here is harvesting and the harvest runs from April through to November. You will be picking fruit by hand under covered tunnels or in our glasshouses. Each harvest team has up to 40 people and is supervised by one of our knowledgeable and approachable Team Leaders. All our fruit at Hugh Lowe Farms is grown in substrate and all strawberries are on table tops, for an easier and efficient working environment. It also allows us to control the growing conditions for the plants much more accurately.

The majority of the work here is harvesting and the harvest runs from April through to November. You will be picking fruit by hand under covered tunnels or in our glasshouses. Each harvest team has up to 40 people and is supervised by one of our knowledgeable and approachable Team Leaders. All our fruit at Hugh Lowe Farms is grown in substrate and all strawberries are on table tops, for an easier and efficient working environment. It also allows us to control the growing conditions for the plants much more accurately.

Throughout the year we are also busy with non-harvest tasks, such as general farm maintenance, husbandry, irrigation installation and maintenance and tunnel construction. Some of the work available is in our Packhouse, weighing, checking and packing fruit for sale to a wide variety of customers.

It’s hard work but totally worth it- much of the work involves lifting, bending and twisting so being fit and healthy is important!
What is a National Insurance number and how do I get one?: Your National Insurance number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name.

Your National Insurance number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name.

Generally, people from EU countries pay UK National Insurance Contributions, so you will need a UK National Insurance number. If you do not have it, it is your responsibility to obtain one.

We will still deduct NI even if you do not have NI number, but have to make contributions (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance).

You can get an NI number by arranging an appointment at the nearest Job Centre Plus office (https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number). When you have a date for an interview, please tell Zane Paberza (Recruitment Manager) so you can be given a letter confirming you work at Hugh Lowe Farms.

Can I bring my own car?

You must email (eleanor.mead@hlf.co.uk) in advance to request permission to bring your own car. If you are given permission, you will need to send the following car documents:

Vehicle registration certificate
MOT certificate
Insurance certificate
Driving Licence

If you wish to purchase a car when you are in the UK, you must follow the same procedure.

How do I get from the airport to the farm and how much will it cost me?

You will have to arrange and pay for transport to Hugh Lowe Farms yourselves, however we are very happy to help if you have any questions.

From the airport:

Book a coach from the airport to Maidstone via the following link: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en. You will then need to get a taxi or bus from Maidstone to the farm (ME18 5NF).

Book a taxi directly from the airport to the farm which will be a much shorter journey but more expensive. However, if you are travelling as a group the price can be divided.

Where is the nearest airport?

Approximate journey length from nearest airports to Hugh Lowe Farms (ME18 5NF):

London Gatwick- 40 minutes

London Heathrow- 1 hour 15 minutes

London Luton- 1 hour 30 minutes

London Stansted- 1 hour 10 minutes

What is there to do near the Farm?: Kent has a wide range of activities to keep you busy! Checkout https://www.visitkent.co.uk/ for all the information you need.

Kent has a wide range of activities to keep you busy! Checkout https://www.visitkent.co.uk/ for all the information you need.
Do you employ local people?: Yes of course! We welcome applications from local people or anyone from the UK for that matter (and beyond!). We start early so if you can get to the farm on time, without needing to use our accommodation, that works for us. If you need accommodation, just let us know

Yes of course! We welcome applications from local people or anyone from the UK for that matter (and beyond!). We start early so if you can get to the farm on time, without needing to use our accommodation, that works for us. If you need accommodation, just let us know