Costume Character - Santa

Longleat Enterprises Ltd; Warminster; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days holiday including bank hols

Unlimited free entry to Longleat

Complimentary tickets to Longleat and

50% off Membership for Friends and Fam

Discounts on food, beverages & retail

Discretionary bonus scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Perks at work

Flexible working schemes

Job summary

Longleat Enterprises Ltd is seeking a warm and enthusiastic Santa Role participant for the Santa Express and Grotto experiences. You will greet families, respond to children’s questions with confidence, and contribute to a magical, premium guest experience.

This fixed-term role runs from 26 October to 24 December 2026, with varied shifts including weekends. You will be part of the Grotto operation team, helping prepare presents and ensure the grotto area is ready for daily opening, while

Qualifications

• Experience in guest-facing roles or customer service is preferred.
• Ability to engage warmly with children and families.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.

Responsibilities

• Engage guests with warmth and confidence to create a memorable Santa experience.
• Maintain punctuality and adhere to tight train schedules.
• Support the Grotto Team Leader with daily opening and preparation of presents.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

About the role:

Longleat is looking for Santa! Our much-loved Santa Express and Santa’s Grotto are among the highlights of Christmas at Longleat, giving children and families the chance to take a special journey to meet Santa in a magical winter setting. If you have the warmth, confidence and festive spirit to help create unforgettable memories, we would love to hear from you.

About the role:

The Santa Express is a long-established and treasured Longleat attraction. Departing from Longleat railway station in the Main Square, guests travel past Half Mile Lake and through the tunnel before arriving at Santa’s snowy Grotto, tucked away deep in the Estate. There, a special Elf welcomes each train and guides families to the Grotto, where Santa greets every family, and shares some festive magic and presents.

What you’ll be doing:

You will bring the magic of Christmas to life by engaging warmly with guests throughout their time with Santa. You will be confident in responding naturally to children’s questions and comments, helping to ensure every visit feels personal, memorable and magical, while delivering a guest-focused service to the highest Longleat standards.

• Maintain excellent timekeeping and confidently work to a tight train schedule throughout the day.
• Represent Longleat professionally at all time, giving a premium Santa experience to our guests.
• Fully support the Grotto Team Leader in all aspects of the Grotto operation, including preparing presents and ensuring the Grotto area is ready for daily opening.

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 Santa. 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 26th October until 24 December 2026, when Santa’s work is all done for another year! We can offer various working patterns and hours, on a 7 day rota basis including weekends.

Do you think you can create festive magic?! We’d love to hear from you!

A little about us

At Longleat we offer a day out like no other, our guests are invited to step into the Thynn family home where they will find the finest example of Elizabethan Architecture. They are also immersed into the wild side, where they can visit over 120 species of animals by car, foot, train, bus, and boat.

With a core business welcoming around 1 million guests every year, we are passionate about providing unforgettable experiences that bring family and friends together to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Why join the Longleat team?

In this unique work environment, you will be surrounded by historic landscapes and listed buildings, all whilst listening to our lions roar and wolves howl. You will even have the opportunity to visit our adorable Koalas and cheeky meerkats during your lunch break.

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 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 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