Holiday Cottage Cleaner

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Axminster; On-site; GBP 3,995,000 - 4,408,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Holiday Cottage Cleaner at Shute Barton, near Axminster, to prepare the property for arriving guests. You will ensure the cottage is thoroughly cleaned, well-presented and welcoming between bookings.

Working 4.5 hours per week, you’ll join a small team with shifts Mon–Sat, typically mid-morning to early afternoon. A bank holiday rotation and the online assessment are part of the process.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering guest-focused cleaning and presentation.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willing to work flexible shifts & bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Clean and present the holiday cottage to a high standard.
• Ensure a welcoming, well-presented environment for guests.
• Identify and report repairs or maintenance needs.
• Replace damaged items from store stock when required.

Skills

Customer service

Team player

Organised

Willing to learn

Job description

We’re looking for a Holiday Cottage Cleaner to join our team at Shute Barton, near Axminster, to prepare our popular holiday cottage for the arriving guests. Shute Barton is one of Devon’s most important old manor houses. It dates back to 1380 and now, after a major restoration, is an exclusive holiday home with historic significance. Internally, you will be known as a 'Holidays Operation Assistant'.

Salary: £12.75 per hour

Contract Duration: Permanent

Working Hours: You’ll work 4.5 hours per week (one shift). Shifts can take place on any day Monday to Saturday, typically between 10:00am/10:30am and 3:00pm. Bank holiday working may be required where there is a guest changeover. Changeovers are usually on Mondays and Fridays, although the day worked will depend on guest bookings and length of stay. Weekly rotas will be provided in advance by email.

Provisional Interview Date: Friday 9th October at Shute Barton

For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.

On changeover days, you’ll make sure that everything’s pristine and ready for the next guests to arrive. This will include making sure the cottage is thoroughly cleaned, well-presented and welcoming. We’d also like you to keep an eye out for anything that’s not as it should be, and report any repairs or odd jobs that need doing. If you need to, you’ll also replace any broken items from the store supplies.

Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided for all teams, and extra measures are in place to protect staff.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you're:

• focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
• a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
• well-organised and adaptable
• willing to learn new skills.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

Shute Barton, Colyton Rd, Axminster, EX13 7PT

Documents

Holidays Operation Assistant - Career Level A1.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 04 October 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.