Dirty work

Driving tractors, milking cows, shearing sheep... the outdoor job opportunities are endless.

You might not have put your winter woollies away yet, but summer is fast approaching. If the thought of spending Britain's warmer, longer days cooped up in an office in London doesn't appeal, perhaps getting your hands dirty working on a farm far away from the big smoke is the answer.

British farmers rely on Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans to bring in their harvests, says Mary Rowles from recruitment company 4Xtrahands.

"I have a farmer with a large dairy farm who takes a new Kiwi on every year. He reckons they both learn lots," she says. Another farmer tries to get a South African every year because he reckons they play the best rugby and his local team relies on him providing fresh blood, she says.

Rowles says if you are eligible to work in the UK and you can drive a tractor or you’ve got experience working on a farm, UK farmers will be interested in you.

So what's the go?

Working in rural Britain offers a lifestyle like nothing you can get in London. Rowles says surf addicts can get work on dairy farms in Cornwall and ski fans can work in Perth, Scotland, on potato and cattle farms or on sheep farms near Aberdeen.

Irish farmers also need staff on their potato and dairy farms. In East Anglia, the 'bread basket of Britain', good tractor drivers are needed, and in June or July if you can drive a tractor or even a van and have a licence, you will be able to find work.

Shearers are also sought after — particularly Kiwis — to shear flocks of UK sheep.

"People who can milk or who have experience with beef cattle or pigs can find a job at any time of the year," she says. "The large grain farmers like Aussies because they can be relied on to fix anything that breaks."

And what about the pay?

At first glance the pay rates for farm jobs are much lower than in London, but outside of the capital living expenses are less and most jobs on farms include accommodation.

While it might be hard days and long hours, farm work is a great way to save heaps.

"It's usual to save £1000 per month during summer without becoming a hermit," says Rowles. And as exciting as London or Edinburgh may seem, working on a farm gives you the chance to discover rural Britain, get to know the locals and make friends for life — and save money for the next leg of your journey.

What else...

There are shed loads of other opportunities for seasonal work in the UK and Europe. Here are a few ideas:

Skippering a boat sailing around the Greek Islands - See www.sailingholidays.com

Working as a chef, nanny or aerobics instructor at a holiday resort in Greece or Portugal - See www.markwarner.co.uk/jobs

Picking grapes in Italy, which produces 20 per cent of the world's wine. The harvest starts in September or October - See www.justlanded.com/english/Italy

Helping run a children's camp in Spain - See www.anyworkanywhere.com

» Picking flowers in the Scilly Isles or raspberries in Scotland - See www.fruitfuljobs.com

Ever thought of working abroad see TNT Magazine's in depth guides to working in Australia, working in USA or working in Dubai