
Ascott Estate - Jobs in Leighton Buzzard
From roles in Ascott House to Ascott Gardens and across the wider Estate, working at Ascott sees you joining a dedicated team of people who take huge pride in their work. Please see below for our current vacancies:
House and Collections Manager
£36,050 per annum (Depending on Experience), plus excellent benefits package
Wing, Buckinghamshire
This is an incredible, wide-ranging House and Collections Manager role, is integral to curating the beauty of the historic house and its superb collection of art and porcelain. The successful applicant will be a people person with a passion for history and conservation who will be responsible for managing a small team who are passionate about the house.
About us:
We are the Ascott Estate, a 16th century former hunting box filled with exquisite art and surrounded by extensive gardens, woods, a cricket ground, tearoom, and other properties. A year-round calendar of seasonal events, cricket matches, and stunning views and walks ensures a constant flow of visitors of all ages enjoying the beautiful ambiance.
So, no ordinary House and Collections Manager role as you will have gathered. We need an individual who is passionate about managing the collections in the house and overseeing the care they receive. Working closely and collaboratively with the family, curators, conservators, and the National Trust whilst managing and motivating the house team, volunteers. and stewards to ensure that the house delivers an engaging visitor experience to a wide range of audiences and preserves the spirit of the place.
In particular:
- You will develop plans to protect and maintain the house and collection to the highest professional curatorial and conservation standards.
- You will be responsible for collections management systems and information systems.
- You will set the strategic direction of visitor engagement.
- You will identify and manage specific risks to the house and collection and ensure that your team comply with procedures to manage risks.
- You will take the lead role in emergency planning in association with other members of the property team and the emergency services.
- You will undertake and commission research to increase the Estate’s understanding of the property, its people, its collection and its conservation.
Essential Requirements:
- Experience in a comparable environment, preferably on another Estate, or where you’re used to managing collections.
- Degree in conservation, art history or another relevant field or equivalent.
- A strong familiarity with museum accreditation standards
- Knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and emergency procedures relevant to historic buildings and collections
We pay a very generous 10% into your pension. 25 day’s holidays plus bank holidays completes the picture.
If you are interested, then we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV with covering letter, telling us why you should be the next Maintenance Manager at Ascott.
Interviews will be held the week commencing 4th August 2025, so please ensure you are available to attend.
Closing Date: Sunday 13th July 2025
For more details or to apply, email info@ascottestate.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteers are at the heart of Ascott, and there are many ways to get involved! From helping us share stories about our artworks and gardens to supporting our dynamic programme of events, we welcome individuals from all backgrounds and interests, offering a range of opportunities for everyone. Volunteering is a fantastic way to develop new skills, meet new people, make meaningful connections, and have fun!
House Stewards
House Stewards welcome visitors, share Ascott’s rich history with visitors to the House, and ensure the safety of both visitors and the collection. You’ll share insights about the house and its treasures, including Dutch and Flemish paintings, works by Stubbs, Gainsborough, Rubens, Hogarth, Reynolds, sculptures by Rodin, Chinese porcelain, and more! We’re looking for friendly individuals with a passion for history, heritage, art, and engaging with people.
Buggy Drivers
Buggy Drivers play a key role in supporting the visitor experience. You’ll be responsible for transporting visitors between the Welcome Kiosk and the house while sharing interesting facts about Ascott’s history and gardens. You’ll also conduct vehicle checks to ensure the shuttle runs smoothly. We’re looking for confident, friendly drivers with a clean UK driving license who enjoy engaging with visitors.
Visitor Engagement Volunteers
Visitor Engagement Volunteers support daily operations and our exciting public events programme, helping create a welcoming atmosphere. Tasks include visitor orientation, event stewarding, collecting feedback, supporting family activities, answering queries, and even leading tours! We’re looking for friendly, communicative individuals and will match tasks to your preferences.
Gardens Volunteer
As a Gardens Volunteer, you’ll help maintain the beautiful gardens at Ascott. Tasks include planting, weeding, trimming hedges, caring for plants, supporting seasonal projects, and engaging with visitors about the gardens. We’re looking for individuals with a passion for nature and gardening, and a desire to contribute to Ascott’s stunning outdoor spaces.
Marketing Volunteer
Help us spread the word and boost engagement through our social channels (Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn) and website. You'll assist with creating content, writing blogs, researching topics, and supporting online campaigns. We’re looking for creative thinkers who can bring fresh ideas and help us build our online presence.
Volunteer Photographer
Help us capture the magic of Ascott through photography and videography, working towards set or agreed briefs. Whether you’re a professional, a hobbyist, or looking to hone your skills in photography, we’d love your help capturing special moments, especially during events. Your photos will be credited to you and shared with a wide audience.
If you have any enquiries, or would like to start your volunteering journey, we'd love to hear from you! Please email info@ascottestate.co.uk