We’re hiring: stablehand/groom

The privately owned village of Clovelly is one of Devon’s much loved visitor attractions, with Clovelly Donkeys at the heart of the visitor experience.

Our Donkeys welfare is central to everything we do.

We are looking for someone who loves donkeys as much as we do, and would love to be involved in every part of their day to day lives. This will include everything from picking out hooves and mucking out to grooming and training. A lot of the donkey’s day involves interacting with our visitors so excellent customer service skills are essential.

About the role:

Your main duties and responsibilities will include:

  • Routinely checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming, and training the Estate donkeys.
  • Arranging and assisting visiting vets, farriers and dentists.
  • Manually mucking out, feeding and bedding up of barns and distributing hay, straw and bagged feedstuffs.
  • Maintaining stable yard by sweeping, pressure washing, cleaning, field clearing.
  • Providing regular feedback on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes, and land management.
  • Liaising with other staff and volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the stable yard and donkey care.

About you:

  • Previous equine experience.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
  • Willing to undertake work related training.
  • Flexibility to morning/evening/weekend working.
  • Physical fitness and be able to lift, for example bale of hay/straw/feed (approx. 20kg).
  • Full current valid driving licence or ability to reliably commute to Clovelly.
  • This is a full-time position, starting as soon as possible, working 5 days a week, including weekend work as part of a team rota.

This is a full-time position, starting as soon as possible, working 5 days a week, including weekend work as part of a team rota.

We would consider a shared role for the right applicants, providing 7 days/week cover.

Pay dependant on experience. For those looking to relocate, there is the option to rent a property on the Estate.

If you think you have what we are looking for and absolutely love donkeys, please contact:

Email: sam@clovelly.co.uk
Tel: 01237 431200

‘The picture-perfect fishing village’ – The Sun

‘Clovelly has received a 4/5 star rating from more than 2,000 reviews on TripAdvisor. One person wrote: “It was like stepping back in time, Clovelly is traffic-free and remains unchanged.’

‘A second added: “A spectacular place to visit, it was totally different from anything else we’ve seen on our various travels.”

‘There are plenty of things to do in the small village including Clovelly Court Gardens – a Victorian kitchen garden with restored greenhouses and carefully tended gardens.’

Thank you to The Sun for the feature!

Read the full article here.

Clovelly named ‘beautiful seaside village’ by The Mirror

“Situated on the north coast of Devon perched on a 400ft cliff a four-hour-plus drive from our county, the fishing village has its roots all the way back to the days of William the Conqueror.”

“You can even stay overnight at The Red Lion Hotel where there are 19 rooms of various sizes on offer and you can mingle with locals in the adjacent Snug Bar in the evening. Come the morning you’ll wake up to the sights and smells from the hustle and bustle of the harbour below.

And what’s more, there is even a waterfall tucked away to the east of the uneven big pebbled beach. It is a slight trek and it is advised to wear some sturdy shoes. The walk from the top of the village to the waterfall takes about 90 minutes.”

Read more from The Mirror’s article here.

The beautiful seaside village frozen in time – Surrey Live

“The ancient fishing village of Clovelly has a rich history and was originally in the hands of royalty.”

“The term “hidden gem” can sometimes be overused, so when you find out about somewhere genuinely off the beaten track it is a must-see. While Surrey has plenty of these, if you fancy a family holiday in the UK further afield then you should look no further than the picturesque settlement of Clovelly.

Situated on the north coast of Devon perched on a 400ft cliff a four-hour-plus drive from our county, the fishing village has its roots all the way back to the days of  William the Conquerer when he gifted the estate to his wife. It remained in the hands of royalty until the 1200s when it was acquired by the Giffard family but remained unknown to the wider world until the mid-19th century.”

Thank you to Surrey Live for featuring us.

Read more here.

See the Sea! Coastal Stays – Issuu

“Whether you want to fall asleep to the sound of waves or pop outside for a pre-breakfast swim, we pick the best hotels across the British Isles with rooms beside the sea.”

You will find The Red Lion on the harbour’s edge at Clovelly (our front cover photo of this issue), a village hemmed in by green headlands, where fishermans’ cottages sit side by side along a donkeys-only, cobbled lane that rolls down to the sea.

The village was recorded in the Domesday Book and visitors have to pay to enter it. However, hotel guests have the harbour to themselves (and locals) at the end of the day, and nothing but a soundtrack of waves to help them sleep.

The Red Lion’s 19 bedrooms have subtle nautical themes and each is within sight of the sea. The most luxurious bedrooms are the six housed in the Sail Loft, next door. Entrance to The Clovelly Court Gardens is also free for guests.”

Thank you to Issuu for featuring us in best coastal stays.  

Read more here 

“Clovelly’s Seaweed Festival makes a splash with artisan delights and beachside fun” – Devon Live

“Visitors to an artisan market made a splash in Clovelly as the village hosted its Seaweed Festival. The event attracted crowds to see the stalls alongside the harbour all, as well as entertainment for young and old.”

Thank you DevonLive for the feature and Simon Ellery for the great pics!

 

Read more here. 🌊

“The most beautiful seaside villages in the UK” – The Telegraph

“Scattered up a hillside and clinging to a 400-foot cliff overlooking Bideford Bay, Clovelly has to be one of Devon’s most famous villages. While donkeys used to be the main mode of transport, now they’re just used for children’s rides, so be prepared for a hike if you want to walk down to the seafront and back. If you fancy trying some of the freshly caught fish, head to the Red Lion Harbour Restaurant.” – Thank you to the Telegraph for featuring Clovelly as one of the most beautiful seaside villages in the UK.

 

Read more here.

Clovelly Christmas Lights – Sunday 3rd December

The Christmas lights turn on is a magical time in Clovelly. Starting at 4 pm in the afternoon, a local brass band leads the procession down to the harbour, with festive Christmas carols sung along the way.

There’ll be a hog roast, hot dogs, Christmas grog and other refreshments available at the Harbour and Lifeboat Station. Then, Father Christmas will make a surprise visit!

Entrance fee:  £10 per car at the Visitor Centre after 2 pm. All proceeds will go to the R.N.L.I.