Visitor Experience and Tea Room Assistant (WEEKEND TEAM)
Ascott House and Gardens, Ascott Estate, Wing, LU7 0PT
Salary: £12.81 per hour
Contract: Fixed-term, zero hours
Hours: Up to 35 hours per week, March – mid-September 2026
Availability: Regular weekend availability is essential, with opportunities for additional weekday and occasional evening shifts during busy periods, events, and cricket matches.
About Us
Ascott Estate is a beautiful 16th-century former hunting box, rich in history and art, and surrounded by extensive gardens, woodland, a cricket ground, tea room, and other estate properties. Located in Wing, Buckinghamshire, the 4,400-acre rural estate welcomes over 50,000 visitors each year to enjoy its house, gardens, seasonal events, cricket matches, and stunning countryside views.
The House and Gardens are open to the public between March and September and are a popular local attraction for visitors of all ages.
The Role
As a Visitor Experience and Tea Room Assistant, you will play a key role in creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all visitors to Ascott Estate. Working across both the visitor entry areas and the Pavilion Tea Room, you will provide excellent customer service, assist visitors with information and bookings, process admissions and retail sales, and prepare and serve high-quality food and beverages.
You will support the smooth day-to-day operation of the Estate during busy visitor periods, seasonal events, and cricket matches, helping to ensure every visitor enjoys a memorable day at Ascott.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver a warm, friendly, and professional welcome to all visitors, ensuring consistently high standards of customer service
- Welcome visitors at the entry kiosk, checking bookings, answering queries, and providing clear visitor information and recommendations
- Assist visitors with bookings on arrival and promote events, experiences, retail products, Ascott Passes, and National Trust memberships in line with current promotions
- Process payments accurately for admissions, retail products, events, memberships, food, and beverages using till systems
- Prepare and serve high-quality food and beverages within the Pavilion Tea Room, ensuring quality and presentation standards are maintained
- Assist with the preparation and service of refreshments for group bookings, events, and cricket teas
- Support the smooth operation of visitor areas, the Tea Room, and the visitor car park during busy periods, including assisting visitors with accessibility needs
- Assist with the delivery of events and activities, including handing out trail guides and prizes, supporting activities, stewarding performances, and assisting with event set-up and de-rig
- Respond to visitor feedback, queries, and complaints calmly and professionally
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and presentation across all visitor-facing areas, including the Tea Room and entry kiosk
- Follow food hygiene, health and safety, and operational procedures at all times
- Work flexibly across visitor experience, retail, and Tea Room operations as required
Skills and Experience
- Previous experience in a customer-facing hospitality, retail, food and beverage, or visitor services environment
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment
- Confidence handling payments and using till systems
- Good understanding of customer service and sales principles
- Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure in busy visitor environments
- Knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety standards
- Minimum Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety qualification desirable
- Barista training desirable
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work across different visitor-facing areas
- Proactive approach to promoting products, memberships, and visitor experiences
Personal Qualities
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Friendly, approachable, and customer-focused
- Reliable, enthusiastic, and professional
- Positive, can-do attitude with pride in your work
- Works well under pressure and as part of a team
- Passionate about delivering excellent visitor experiences, food, and service
Pay: £12.81 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
