Holiday Cottage Cleaner

National Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in Colchester is seeking a Holiday Cottage Cleaner to provide exceptional cleaning services at Thorington Hall and Lodge. This part-time position involves ensuring cottages are pristine on changeover days and working flexibly with a supportive team. Ideal candidates will be well-organized, adaptable, and focused on great service. The role offers a salary of £12.25 per hour and various benefits, including a substantial pension scheme, flexible working, and discounts on services.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Discounts on gym memberships

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Responsibilities

• Cleaning and preparing cottages to a high standard.
• Ensuring cottages are pristine on changeover days.
• Spotting and reporting repairs or odd jobs.

Skills

Customer service focus

Team player

Organised

Adaptable

Eager to learn new skills

Job description

Holiday Cottage Cleaner

Location: Colchester

Reference: IRC168906

Salary: £12.25 per hour

Posted: 1st Dec

Closing Date: 14th December 2025

Type: Permanent, Part Time

Qualifications

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

• 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

Responsibilities

Your role will involve cleaning and preparing to a high standard at Thorington Hall and Lodge and possibly other cottages on a cover basis. Due to the rural locations, please consider how you will get to work before applying.

You will ensure cottages are pristine on changeover days: thorough cleaning, good presentation and welcoming. You will also spot and report repairs or odd jobs, and replace broken items from the store supply if needed.

Full PPE is provided. The full role profile is available in the attached document. You do not need all the listed experience; this is the full picture of the role.

Benefits

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% of basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days depending on length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to criteria
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

Application Process

To apply, click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page. If you need help with your application, call 0370 240 0274 or email [e-mail]. If you require an adjustment to the application process, call 0370 240 0274 or email [e-mail].

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early; we encourage you to apply early.

Important notice: In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk.

Additional Information

As a Holiday Cottage Cleaner for Thorington Hall and Lodge, your role could not be more important in ensuring our guests are provided with the perfect stay from the moment they arrive. You will be joining a small but excellent team to deliver this.

The role is permanent, based on 5 hours per week, with overtime available. Regular changeover days are predominantly Mondays and Fridays; Saturdays are on a rota basis. Rotas are issued in advance, and we try to accommodate other commitments where possible.

Internally you'll be known as a Holidays Operation Assistant. For this role, you'll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a CV or online application form.

Location: Thorington Hall, Mill Lane, Colchester, CO6 4SS

Eligibility to Work in the UK: £12.25 per hour