Unique Santa Role at Cheddar Gorge Offers Stunning Backdrop but Requires Comfort in Confined Spaces

Cheddar Gorge and Caves, a renowned beauty spot in Somerset, is currently seeking a new Santa Claus for the forthcoming Christmas season. The successful candidate will be paid £16 per hour to bring festive cheer and create memorable experiences for visiting families from mid-November through to Christmas Eve.

Unlike the traditional Santa’s Grotto in a shopping centre, this role is distinctive in that the chosen Santa will perform approximately a quarter of a mile inside the 500,000-year-old Gough’s Cave. This unique work setting promises breath-taking scenery among subterranean stalactites and the awe-inspiring cliffs of Cheddar Gorge.

The job listing emphasises the need for an enthusiastic and engaging individual to embody the character of Santa Claus. Responsibilities include warm interactions, lively character performance, and delivering exceptional customer service to guests of all ages. The role will involve light dancing and movement within the cool cave environment, as well as occasional light lifting-such as carrying toy sacks-and standing for extended periods throughout the day.

Cheddar Gorge is one of Somerset’s most iconic tourist destinations and the largest gorge in England, boasting a depth of 400 feet and stretching three miles in length. The area is steeped in history, containing numerous secrets about prehistoric ancestors, and is a popular location for caving and rock climbing enthusiasts worldwide.

Ideal applicants will possess an outgoing and approachable personality, excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, and must be prepared to undergo a DBS check as part of the recruitment process.

Those interested in applying should submit their applications by Thursday, 10 September, via the Longleat careers page. Longleat Enterprises, known for managing the Wiltshire estate and safari park, owns and operates the Cheddar Gorge attraction.