The ultimate get-away-from-it-all job: Aristocratic family advertises for a live-in manager for their medieval castle on an island 500 yards off the coast of Cornwall
- St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall is one of the region’s biggest tourist hotspots
- The St Aubyn family, who have lived there since 1647, continue to live at the site
- Estate is now advertising for a Castle Officer to work at island’s medieval castle
- The small tidal island is usually visited by around 350,000 people every year
An aristocratic family are advertising for a live-in manager to work at a medieval castle on an island 500 yards off the British coast.
St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island in Marazion, Cornwall, and is one of the region’s biggest tourist hotspots.
The St Aubyn family, who have lived at St Michael’s Mount since 1647, donated it to the National Trust in 1954 – but retained a 999-year lease allowing them to continue living on site.
They are now advertising for a Castle Officer to work at the island’s medieval castle, which can be accessed by boat or via a man-made causeway that is passable between mid and low tide.
An aristocratic family are advertising for a live-in manager at a medieval castle (pictured) on an island 500 yards off the British coast
The St Aubyn family, who have lived at St Michael’s Mount since 1647, donated it to the National Trust in 1954 – but retained a 999-year lease allowing them to continue living on site
St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island in Marazion, Cornwall, and is one of the region’s biggest tourist hotspots
James and Mary St Aubyn moved to St Michael’s Mount with their four children in 2013 and still live on site today.
There are around 30 others living on the island which is usually visited by around 350,000 people every year – although this number has reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The St Aubyn estate is now looking to recruit a Castle Officer who will be responsible for the safety and security of the castle and its contents.
The candidate will manage practical operations at the site on a day-to-day basis and will also be required to carry out maintenance duties, inlcuding moving furniture, hanging pictures and cleaning.
Greeting conservation-related visitors, liaising with contractors and researching the castle’s display collections are also part of the job description.
The officer is expected stay at the property for at least five nights a week in order to ‘assist the St Aubyn family in both the private and public areas of the castle’.
The estate is currently advertising for a Castle Officer to work at the island’s medieval castle, which can be accessed by boat or via a man-made causeway (pictured) that is passable between mid and low tide
James (pictured alongside the Queen in 2013) and Mary St Aubyn moved to St Michael’s Mount with their four children in 2013 and still live on site today
The application website reads: ‘We are a small team with a wide range of responsibilities. We are looking for someone who is excited to further build on their experience and make the most of all learning opportunities.
‘You will be able to demonstrate the highest levels of discretion, be compassionate with a tactful demeanour, have a strong motivation to be based in West Cornwall and above all be a strong team player where flexibility is essential.’
The package is described as ‘a live in position with accompanying salary’.
Castle steward Duncan Murdoch told the BBC: ‘The best thing about living here is having a sea view from every window.
‘The worst thing is not being able to get a pizza delivered to your door.’
The St Aubyn family are currently looking to recruit for a role at the medieval castle at St Michael’s Mount
There are around 30 people living on St Michael’s Mount and it is usually visited by around 350,000 people every year – but this number has reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic
The castle (pictured) dates back to 1135 when construction is said to have begun when a Benedictine priory was founded there
The castle dates back to 1135 when construction is said to have begun when a Benedictine priory was founded there.
The island, which is situated 500 yards off the coast, can be reached by ferry boats to and from Marazion.
It takes its name from St Michael who supposedly appeared to a group of fishermen in 495 AD.
History of St Michael’s Mount
Originally the site of a Benedictine Chapel, the spectacular castle dates from the 12th Century and is cared for in partnership by the National Trust and the St Aubyn family.
The family, which have lived at St Michael’s Mount since 1647, donated St Michael’s Mount to the Trust in 1954 – but retained a 999-year lease for them to live in the castle.
In 2003, James and Mary St Aubyn moved to the castle with their four children. They, in their turn, became Lord and Lady St Levan and still live on the island today.
One of the most famous of Cornwall’s landmarks, the island is steeped in both legend and folklore and boasts stunning panoramic views across Mounts Bay to Lands End.
It was a key port for trading tin to the rest of Europe from 350BC and was named after a vision of the Archangel of St Michael appeared on the Mount.
The castle has featured in a number of films and was used as the exterior of Castle Dracula in 1979 film Dracula as well as appearing in 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again, as two guided missiles flew over the English countryside.
The castle has featured in a number of films and was used as the exterior of Castle Dracula in 1979 film Dracula
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