Visitor Assistant

As a Old Wardour Visitor Assistant, you will join an amazing team of employees and volunteers, making sure visitors have a great time from the moment they arrive until they say goodbye. This is a varied role and some days will be busy from start to finish, whereas others may be quieter especially on the wetter days No two days are the same.

Hidden amongst the hills of the Wardour Vale is Old Wardour Castle. A unique Fourteenth century hexagonal castle with a rich, and fascinating 630-year history.

Initially built as a chivalric retreat and statement of power by Sir John Lovell in 1393. The castle was part of the evolutionary chain away from military castles, and towards English country houses. Occupied as a luxurious family home for 250 years; the castle passed into the hands of the Arundell family during the Tudor period who held it through to its demise in the English Civil War. Famously defended for six days by Lady Blanche Arundell; before being held and defended for five months by the Parliamentarian Edmund Ludlow, whereupon the Castle was dramatically destroyed in 1644. Now sitting as a Romantic ruin amidst an English Landscape Garden, the Castle grounds boast the eighteenth century features of a Neo-Gothic pavilion banquet house and two grottos.

The site welcomes almost 30,000 visitors per year and has just undergone a major investment project, with a new Visitor Admissions Building. Consequently, it is a very exciting time to join the team at Old Wardour.

We are looking for people who enjoy working with others as part of a team to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience. Training and support will be provided as part of your induction to the role, but some paid or voluntary experience working with the public may be beneficial.

You'll find it's a workplace like no other - taking you behind the scenes of these extraordinary sites and supporting you to share your ideas, inspire others and make a difference

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of England's largest conservation charities, with over 400 sites across the country. Benefits include:

- Comprehensive training covering all aspects of customer service, sales, food and beverage and retail;
- The opportunity to progress your career within the heritage sector, in retail, food and beverage or general management; apprenticeship opportunities
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you another adult and up to 6 children (under 18 in the family group)
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes;
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/Shared Parental leave
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years, with the option to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to a maximum of 10% which can be paid via salary exchange or salary deduction

Everyone is welcome at English Heritage and we are always looking for people who reflect the diversity of the country today, to help us make it more relevant to the diversity of the people, communities and places we serve. From remote sites to inner city monuments, from regional teams to our Head Office, the diversity of our teams is critical to making sure our heritage is inclusive, exciting and accessible.

We continually look for new ways to promote the past in a way that is inclusive to all and that celebrates the cultural diversity of England's heritage. By joining English Heritage, you will be part of a charity that is already on an exciting journey to tell everyone's story.

Interviews will be held on Monday 15th May, at Old Wardour Castle (SP3 6RP).