Jobs and Volunteering

PAID VACANCIES

Internship Opportunity 2026

A unique and exciting opportunity to spend a year 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.

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Please note that this position is aimed at graduates; however, candidates with relevant experience without a degree may be considered for the role.

Day-to-day work will consist of assisting the team in all aspects of running Godinton, including, but not limited to:

• General administration, including telephone and public enquiries, banking and statistics
• Supporting annual preventive conservation of the house contents and collections
• Opening the house to the general public
• Taking tours around the house
• Visitor interpretation
• Selling tickets and giving information
• Cleaning of visitor and general areas, including kitchens, tearoom, etc.
• Catering for group visits
• Functions and events
• Social Media
• Marketing
• Promoting and assisting with educational visits
• Archive work
• Estate office support

Other duties will be at the discretion of the House Manager. As a duty supervisor, being a trained First-Aider is a requirement of the role. First-Aid training will be provided by the Trust.

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 Henry at house@godintonhouse.co.uk or on 01233 643854. To apply for the role, please send a CV and cover letter to Henry Weeds, House Manager, at house@godintonhouse.co.uk by midnight on Sunday 2^nd August. Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 10^th August 2026.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

We are currently recruiting for volunteer Tour Guides and Cut Flower Arrangers to join our friendly House Team during the open season!

Cut Flower Arrangers

Godinton is looking for dedicated and passionate volunteer flower arrangers to help arrange the displays for the exhibition rooms.

The days for arranging are Tuesday and Friday mornings, with Tuesday reserved for refreshing and tidying the current displays. There are approximately 12 displays in the house and 10 smaller displays in the Tearoom.

In this role, you will:

• Work as part of a team to arrange the flowers at Godinton
• Bring the interiors to life through engaging displays
• Be wary of Godinton's conservation standards and undertake work in an historic environment
• Uphold Godinton's high standard of presentation through maintenance of the displays and a tidy working area
• Undertake mandatory training as needed

This role would suit someone who:

• Has some experience in arranging flowers
• Is attentive and has an eye for detail
• Is dedicated and able to support the team regularly
• Can work in a time-efficient manner
• Is enthusiastic about Godinton House and Gardens

By supporting us, you will:

• Gain further knowledge of flower arranging in an historic house
• Be part of a friendly team and meet like-minded volunteers
• Work on eye-catching displays
• Work with Godinton's house and garden teams
• Be immersed in the gorgeous rooms and landscape of the Godinton estate

Please contact the House and Collections team at house@godintonhouse.co.uk if this is of interest.

Tour Guides

Godinton House is a spectacular Jacobean mansion set in formal gardens and traditional parkland, to the west of Ashford in Kent. It is owned and managed by an independent charitable trust, established by the last private owner.

The house is open to the public for guided tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons, and together with the gardens, attracts up to 20,000 visitors per year, including guided group tours and school visits.

We are looking for passionate and dedicated people to help continue bringing Godinton's story to life for our visitors.

In this role, you will:

• Lead guided groups through the property
• Be responsible for the safe evacuation of the group in an emergency
• Support the conservation of Godinton by ensuring visitors engage with the collection safely
• Work as part of a team of staff and volunteers to deliver a great visitor experience
• Undertake any mandatory training as necessary

This role would suit someone who is:

• Passionate about history
• Ready to learn about Godinton and its inhabitants
• Confident in speaking to people and having great conversations
• Able to speak to people of all ages
• A good team player who supports other staff and volunteers

By supporting us, you will:

• Be part of a friendly team and meet like-minded volunteers
• Help visitors gain an understanding of Godinton's history
• Develop public speaking experience
• Be immersed in the gorgeous rooms and landscape of the Godinton estate

Shifts are generally 4-5 hours with a break.

Please contact the House and Collections team at house@godintonhouse.co.uk if this is of interest.