Costume Character - Elf - Cheddar Gorge & Caves

Longleat Enterprises Ltd; Cheddar; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days holiday inclusive of bank hols

Unlimited free entry to Longleat and C

Complimentary tickets to Longleat and 

50% off Membership for Friends and  -

Discounts on food and beverages andret

Discounts on Longleat VIP Experiences

Discretionary bonus scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Employer contributory pension scheme

Life assurance scheme

Perks at work

Range of flexible working schemes

Job summary

Longleat Enterprises Ltd. seeks energetic, guest-focused individuals to become Santa's Elves at Cheddar Gorge & Caves for the festive season. You will rotate through interactive roles inside the cave, delivering magical moments through storytelling, music, and playful interaction.

Expect to greet families, lead scenes, assist Santa, and hand out presents while maintaining a warm, safety-conscious environment. Weekend-focused hours with some midweek shifts during Christmas week are available.

Qualifications

• Outgoing, enthusiastic personality with guest-focused mindset.
• Comfortable performing in a cave environment and moving about.
• Willing to undertake a DBS check.
• Ability to engage families across all ages with warmth.
• Team player with good interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet families and welcome them to the experience with warmth and enthusiasm.
• Lead interactive scenes throughout the cave using festive storytelling and playful improvisation.
• Keep guests engaged and entertained while guiding them toward Santa.
• Assist Santa and manage guest flow during sessions.
• Hand out presents to children as part of the experience.
• Prepare and organize gifts before sessions and ensure stock is in place.
• Stay in character and deliver a magical guest experience.
• Engage confidently with guests of all ages and adapt to individual needs.

Job description

About the role:

We’re looking for energetic, cheerful, and guest-focused individuals to become one of Santa’s Elves at Cheddar Gorge & Caves this festive season. This is a truly interactive and performance-based role, where you’ll help deliver magical, memorable moments for every guest — not just at the grotto, but through a series of festive scenes set throughout the cave.

Elves bring the experience to life through storytelling, music, playful interaction, and animated delivery, helping families feel part of the adventure from the moment they arrive. You’ll be part of a team that creates wow moments.

Throughout the day, you’ll rotate between a variety of interactive roles, including:

• Greeting families and welcoming them to the experience with warmth and enthusiasm


• Leading interactive scenes throughout the cave, using festive storytelling, playful improvisation, and group singing (no solos!)


• Keeping guests engaged and entertained while they journey towards Santa


• Supporting the main grotto experience by assisting Santa and managing guest flow


• Handing out presents to children as part of the experience


• Preparing and organising gifts before sessions and ensuring stock is in place


• Staying in character and delivering a consistently guest-focused, magical experience


• Engaging confidently with guests of all ages and adapting to individual needs with kindness and warmth


• Helping maintain a tidy and safe environment, assisting with daily setup and pack-down


• Following all Health & Safety procedures and completing safeguarding training before starting

Working Environment

The festive experience takes place inside Gough’s Cave, including several interactive stations and the grotto itself — located approximately quarter mile inside the cave along a level, well-lit path. The role includes a moderate amount of walking, standing, light movement, and animated interaction. The cave environment can be cool and damp, so elves should be comfortable working in those conditions.

About you

We are looking for people who are confident, warm and enthusiastic, with the ability to bring the magic of Christmas to life for every family who visits the grotto. You'll:

• Have an outgoing, enthusiastic and approachable personality.


• Undertake a DBS check due to the nature of this role.


• Have strong team-working skills.


• Have excellent interpersonal skills.


• Deliver the guest experience in line with all Safeguarding requirements.

Your contract

You’ll join us on a Fixed Term basis, from mid November until 24 December 2026, when Santa’s work is all done for another year! Hours will be predominately weekend based, with midweek hours available Christmas week.

A little about us

Cheddar Gorge and Caves is a world-famous site set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is one of Britain’s most spectacular natural landmarks.

Being England's largest gorge, with a depth of 400ft and a length of 3 miles, this site presents an unforgettable experience for visitors throughout the year.

Why join the Cheddar team?

This unique work environment will immerse you in the breath-taking scenery of awe-inspiring cliffs and remarkable subterranean stalactite show caves, holding numerous fascinating secrets about our prehistoric ancestors and serving as a central location for caving and rock climbing enthusiasts worldwide.

You will receive attractive benefits that include:

• 29 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, rising to 31 days at 5 years’ service.


• Unlimited free entry to Longleat and Cheddar Gorge and Caves for our employees


• Complimentary tickets to Longleat and Cheddar Gorge and Caves, 18 per annum pro rata


• 50% off Membership for Friends and Family


• Discounts on food and beverages and retail merchandise


• Discounts on Longleat VIP Experiences and Accommodation


• Discretionary bonus scheme


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Employer contributory pension scheme


• Life assurance scheme


• Perks at work


• Range of flexible working schemes