Holidays Cottage Cleaner

National Trust; Axminster; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a part-time Holidays Operation Assistant to clean and ready Shute Barton, Axminster for guest arrivals. You’ll ensure the cottage is pristine, welcoming and well-presented for each changeover.

Working with a small team, you’ll spot maintenance needs and report them; PPE is provided and training is given. This is a permanent role with the stated hours and benefits.

Qualifications

• Commitment to high standards of cleanliness and guest service.
• Ability to work with a small team to prepare accommodation.
• Willingness to follow safety and PPE procedures.

Responsibilities

• Clean and present the cottage thoroughly for guests.
• Identify repairs or maintenance needs and report them.
• Replace broken items from store supplies when needed.
• PPE is provided and safety measures are observed.

Skills

Great customer service

Team player

Organised and adaptable

Willing to learn

Job description

Summary

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, it has been restored to its original state featuring a 24ft medieval fireplace and a 14ft medieval hall.

Salary

£12.75 per hour

Contract

Permanent

Hours/working pattern

Part-time, 4.5 hours per week

Status within the National Trust

Internally within the National Trust, you will be known as a 'Holidays Operation Assistant'.

Assessment Process

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.

What It's Like To Work Here

The role includes working with 3 other staff members.

What You'll Be Doing

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

• 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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• 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.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

Location

Shute Barton, Colyton Rd, Axminster, EX13 7PT

Documents

Holidays Operation Assistant - A1.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 15th November 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.