House Internship 2025-2026
A unique opportunity to spend a year living and working on a small, historic estate learning about the care, running, maintenance and workings of a country house open to the public. Run by the Godinton House Preservation Trust, one enthusiastic house intern is employed each year in order to develop knowledge and skills that will prove useful in developing a career within the heritage sector. You will join a small, friendly, passionate team, and have opportunities to learn a broad range of skills as well as the chance to pursue your own projects and interests.
| Job Title | House Intern |
| Responsible To | House Manager |
| Works with | House Team, Volunteer Guides, Estate Manager |
| Contract | Fixed Term - 1 year |
| Location | Godinton House & Gardens, Godinton Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP |
| Hours | 40 hours per week (including bank holidays, weekends and evenings) |
| Holiday | 25 days plus bank holidays |
| Salary | £25,396.80 per annum |
| Start Date | August 2025 |
Please note that this position is aimed at graduates, however, candidates with relevant experience without a degree may be considered for the role.
In 2026 Godinton House will be running an exhibition focusing on 30 Years of Guardianship under the Godinton House Preservation Trust. We are therefore seeking candidates who have experience working with exhibitions (this can be in a university setting), or who have a specialist interest in working with exhibitions in the future.
Day to day work will consist of assisting the team in all aspects of running Godinton including, but not limited to:
• Opening the house to the general public
• Taking tours around the house
• Visitor interpretation
• Selling tickets and giving information
• Security of the house and Trust’s property
• Cleaning, care and conservation of the house contents and collections
• Cleaning of visitor and general areas including kitchens, tearoom, etc.
• Catering for group visits
• General administration including telephone and public enquiries, banking and statistics
• Functions and events
• Marketing and market research
• Social Media
• Advertising
• Promoting and assisting with educational visits
• Archive work
• Estate office support
Other duties will be at the discretion of your supervisor. As a key-holder and duty supervisor, being a trained First-Aider is a requirement of the role. First-Aid training will be provided by the Trust.
This is a live-in training position: you will be a key-holder and therefore accommodation is provided on site. Rental of onsite accommodation is heavily subsidised and inclusive of all utility bills. The accommodation is shared with the Garden Trainee.
The Trust encourages external visits and training courses, and will make every effort to ensure time is given during working hours to attend relevant courses and visits where possible. The Trust will endeavour to provide opportunities to work with conservation specialists, visit other properties nearby and encourage development of particular areas of interest.
Previous interns have gone on to work for the Royal Collections Trust, National Trust, Royal Household, and pursue postgraduate qualifications in specialist areas, amongst other things.
If you have any queries/questions, or wish to discuss the role further, please contact Chloe at house@godintonhouse.co.uk or on 01233 643854. To apply for the role, please send a CV and cover letter to Chloe West, at house@godintonhouse.co.uk by midnight on Friday 20th June. First stage interviews will be held week commencing Monday 23rd June.