Holidays Cottage Cleaner

National Trust; Cranbrook; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance 32 days + buy scheme

Flexible working wherever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

National Trust is seeking a Holiday Cottage Cleaner to prepare our Kent cottages, including Sissinghart and Scotney Castle, with Monday/Friday changeovers and flexible schedules. This fixed-term role covers weekends and bank holidays, on a zero-hour contract, until 26 February 2027. Training via online assessment is required.

You'll ensure pristine, well-presented cottages, report repairs, and replace broken items when needed. A supportive team environment and National Trust benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality or cleaning roles preferred.
• Ability to work weekends and flexible shifts.
• Attention to detail and pride in cleanliness.

Responsibilities

• Clean and prepare cottages to high standards.
• Changeover between guest stays and ensure welcoming presentation.
• Report repairs or damaged items to maintenance as needed.
• Follow health and safety procedures and use PPE provided.

Skills

Customer service

Team player

Organised

Willing to learn

Job description

Summary

We're looking for a Holiday Cottage Cleaner to prepare our popular holiday cottages in Kent. This will be to cover shifts at Sissinghurst and Scotney Castle. Changeover days are often Monday and Fridays, but can be any day of the week and some Saturdays. Flexibility would be helpful.

Salary: £12.75 per hour

Contract: Fixed term contract until 26-Feb-2027

Hours/ working pattern: Seasonal, flexible, weekends. This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can't guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We'll try to give as much notice as possible. The role includes weekends and Bank Holidays but does not require evening or split shifts.

Interview dates: 21st, 22nd & 23rd October 2026

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

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

To find out more about what it’s like to work within "Holidays" at the National Trust,

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

National Trust place Sissinghurst, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, TN17 2AB

Documents

Holidays Operation Assistant - A1.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 18th 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.