Meet Our Team

Estate Manager

What do you love about your job?
Working with a diverse team; each person has their own quirks and ways about them that we can all learn from. Everyone is very excepting of you as an individual and makes for a great team. This is particularly evident when everyone works operationally going above and beyond for the success of a park event.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?
Old Down is like no other hospitality business, it is all about the people and our visitors. You should except to work hard and laugh a lot in the process. No one is too proud to chip in and the Managers lead from the Front earning the respect of the teams.

What you do in your free time?
Walking the dogs and spending time with friends and family.

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?
The views looking down the Valley from the Bell tents is breath taking in the mornings.

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?
Jumping on the beds in the Manor to capture a social media video in a unicorn mascot outfit!

Estate Manager

What do you love about your job?
I love the variety of the role, every day is different! From the different events and weddings but also how the different seasons change how the Estate looks. The people are also a huge part, I love working alongside people who bring different experience and perspectives and who all want to see the business move forward.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?
It is a completely different business than anywhere I have worked, during covid it was amazing to see the wider team come together working above and beyond to help their colleagues during a really challenging time. There is a great ethos at Old Down unlike anywhere I have worked and it is great to be a part of.

What you do in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy spending it with family and friends and watching rugby.

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?
My favourite spot is a small patch in the walled garden, its lovely to sit on a spring day and enjoy the surroundings.

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?
We’ve had some great times working in and around the Estate but I particularly enjoy when we have the Mascot outfits and seeing everyone from the HR Manager, Sales Team, Estates Team etc getting involved and taking turns to make our customer experience better.

HR Manager

What do you love about your job?
Working with the great team here! The freedom we have providing the job is done and being able to offer opportunities to lots of younger team members for their first job. I love being here when the site is busy – 2 weddings and a full Country Park – and all the team pull together.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?
I have worked in some of the top hotels in the country as a HR Manager (Lucknam Park and The Manor House in Castle Combe). There are lots of comparisons – customer service is important, recruitment can be challenging but it is important to us to ensure we employ the right mindset and everyone is a team player. It is lovely to be able to work in hospitality and have a closing time so we are able to achieve a work/life balance.

What you do in your free time?
I go to the gym, watch lots of Rugby Union (Gloucester Supporter) and time with the family and dogs.

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?
Looking out over the Bridges from the Bell Tents.

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?
Well, it has to be when I was asked to put my amateur dramatics into play! The best man at a Manor Wedding asked me to pretend to be an old flame of the Groom (from when he was about 5!) so I made an entrance during the speeches much to his surprise/shock

What do you love about your job?

I love my job for the breathtaking views of the manor grounds and bridges each morning, which never fail to inspire me for the day ahead. Adding to this charm, Kevin the peacock greets me with a cheerful good morning every day, making each start truly special.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?

I have been in the industry for 2 years now. As a wedding coordinator, the experience requires diligent attention to detail, managing countless aspects to ensure everything runs smoothly. However, it’s incredibly rewarding to build a relationship with each couple and witness them walk down the aisle. Seeing their joy makes all the hard work worthwhile whilst they experiencing their perfect day

What you do in your free time?

In my spare time, I enjoy going on long walks with my friends and boyfriend, exploring new trails and enjoying nature. I am also learning a new skill—crocheting—which has been a fun and creative outlet for me

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?

My favourite photo spot is a walk down to the lake, where you can see for miles. There's a perfect vantage point where both bridges come into view, and during sunset, they glow beautifully, creating a magical scene.

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?

One of my favourite memories is from when I opened the ticket office one morning and three sheep snuck in behind me. They wandered around, curiously chewing on items in the shop, before I could shoo them back out. It was a hilarious and unexpected start to the day!

Bar Manager and Park Events Coordinator

What do you love about your job?

Having two roles at Old Down Estate means that no day is the same. One day I will be working behind the bar and the next I am inside a Bluey mascot!

I love that every wedding is different therefore every time is fresh and exciting. Being able to contribute to a couple’s special day is always a pleasure. I love the team that Old Down have built here and is wonderful to be a part of the senior team.

Alongside my managerial role, I plan activities for half terms, holidays, and larger park events such as Country Fayre and Spring Fayre. I love getting creative with my ideas and then seeing it all the way through to the day. It is lovely seeing children and families coming to the park and enjoying the events/activities that I put on.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?
I am qualified Primary School Teacher which has contributed to my Park Events Coordinator role. I understand what children enjoy and different ways to incorporate education into enjoyable activities. Being an ex-Primary School Teacher means that I have the confidence to be in front of children leading activities such as “Story telling”, “Teddy bear hide and seek” and hosting a “Slip and Slide” to name a few examples.

What do you do in your free time?

I love doing active things! Netball, gym, water sports, walking my 2 dogs, rock climbing and other physical activities. Alternatively, I love watching a good TV series whilst eating a lot of food! 

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?
Definitely down in the meadow! There is a bench to the right of the lake where it is nice and peaceful, and you can sit and enjoy the incredible view that we have here!

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?

There are too many funny and eventful stories – probably some not suitable for the website!

I had one very eventful evening! We had a menu tasting for our Summer weddings. A couple and their parents attended the wedding, and one poor Father of the Bride had quite the evening! It started off with me walking to their table to serve them a glass of wine. A wine glass slipped and knocked another onto the pour man’s head (liquid only, no glass). 10 minutes later he is walking over to me with a nosebleed. Later in the evening, I walk into our Bernays room to find a chair on the floor with 2 legs missing – the chair had collapsed underneath him. What an evening! He walked away happy in the end and we laughed about it on his daughter’s wedding day.

Café and Ticket Office Manager

What do you love about your job?
No two days are the same and there is always something to do.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?
I worked as a breakfast supervisor in a hotel many years ago. More recently working in a shop, so lots of customer service.

What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with friends and family.

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?
The view from the Manor.

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?
This was when some squirrels managed to get into my cereal bar stock. I was convinced the squirrels walked out with them under their arms as they took so many.

Events Manager

What do you love about your job?

No two days are the same, from running corporate events to seeing happy couples get married. The team are all amazing to work with.

Past work in the industry or comparisons as to where you have worked before in hospitality?

I’ve been working in hospitality for over 10 years, starting my career in a hotel, where I worked up from a casual member of staff up to a duty manager. I’ve also worked in pubs, cafes, and a golf club. Old down is a venue like no other, with a huge variety of different events throughout the year, there’s something for everyone!

What do you do in your free time?
I play badminton for a local club each week. I also enjoy sim racing with friends and following the Formula One season.

What’s your favourite photo spot on the estate?

The views of the Severn bridge from the front doors of the manor, especially as the sun is going down for a beautiful sunset!  

Funny or eventful story from working at Old Down?

Walking into the manor on my first shift to find four peacocks wandering around.