Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations of the Bamburgh Walled Garden, overseeing café and takeaway services.
- Company: A family-owned business enhancing Bamburgh's heritage and visitor experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and flexible hours during peak periods.
- Why this job: Join a thriving venue in a stunning location, shaping its future and culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in food-driven environments, strong leadership, and commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Regular weekend work needed; apply through Nigel Wright Group only.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Opportunity:
Nestled in the heart of Bamburgh Village, the Walled Garden is a beautifully restored and thoughtfully designed destination that offers something for everyone. This enchanting space currently features a welcoming café with indoor and outdoor seating, a separate takeaway service, with accessible parking, a Changing Places toilet, a sensory garden and a playground, ideal for families and day visitors.
Since opening in February 2025, Bamburgh Walled Garden has quickly become a cherished local attraction, enjoying a successful first six months of operation. As a family-owned business, it complements the wider Bamburgh Castle Estate, with both venues contributing to the village’s rich heritage and visitor experience.
Nigel Wright Group is proud to continue its exclusive partnership with the Bamburgh Castle Estate in the search for a talented and experienced General Manager to lead operations at the Walled Garden
About the role:
We are seeking a passionate and commercially minded General Manager to take full responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of the Bamburgh Walled Garden. This is a senior on-site role, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment and is excited by the opportunity to shape the future of a unique hospitality and visitor destination.
You’ll oversee the smooth running of the café and takeaway outlets, lead a dedicated team, and ensure the venue is consistently well-presented, safe, and welcoming. Beyond daily operations, you’ll play a key role in driving revenue, improving margins, and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation. The venue operates counter service only from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with occasional evening openings, and is open 364 days a year, with peak periods during school holidays and Christmas.
As General Manager, you’ll lead both kitchen and front-of-house teams, hold the venue’s alcohol licence, and ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards. You’ll work closely with the Head Chef to shape the food offer, plan menus, and set pricing, while analysing performance data to guide strategic decisions and improve profitability.
You’ll manage budgets, payroll, and financial reporting, maintain accurate records, and liaise with the Agent to propose and implement new initiatives. A key part of the role involves driving footfall and income through improved takeaway operations, seasonal events, private hire, and creative use of vacant spaces within the Garden.
You’ll also recruit, train, and support staff, manage rotas and time off, and ensure the team is motivated and well-prepared for busy periods.
Experience / Skills
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A strong team leader with experience in busy, food-driven environments (e.g. café, restaurant, bar, visitor attraction).
- A people person who inspires and supports staff and fosters a positive working culture.
- Commercially minded, with the ability to analyse sales data and make strategic decisions.
- Experienced in food safety, hygiene, health & safety, and able to hold an alcohol licence.
- Skilled in managing budgets, payroll, and contributing to business planning.
- Located within easy commuting distance of Bamburgh.
- Excited by the opportunity to grow and develop the venue, with ideas for future investment and expansion.
- An excellent communicator who puts customer experience at the heart of everything they do.
Other information:
Salary: Competitive
Hours: 40 hours per week, on-site, with flexibility during peak periods
Holiday: 28 days including Bank Holidays
Regular weekend working required – Saturdays are especially busy
This is a unique opportunity to lead a thriving hospitality venue in one of Northumberland’s most picturesque locations. If you’re ready to bring energy, ideas, and leadership to a growing business, we’d love to hear from you. All CVs and enquiries must be directed to Nigel Wright Group.
Please do not contact the venue directly, as Nigel Wright is the exclusive point of contact for this recruitment process. Nigel Wright Group are working exclusively on this search and as such, any direct, third party supplied or referred applicants/CVs will be forwarded to Nigel Wright for consideration as part of our process.
General Manager - Bamburgh Walled Garden employer: Nigel Wright Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Nigel Wright Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Bamburgh Walled Garden
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Bamburgh Walled Garden and its offerings. Visit the venue if possible, and engage with staff to understand their operations and customer service approach. This will not only give you insights but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the local hospitality community. Attend events or join groups related to food and beverage management in Northumberland. Building connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your vision for the Walled Garden during interviews. Think about innovative ideas for seasonal events, menu enhancements, and ways to increase footfall. Showing that you have a proactive mindset will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your leadership style and how you foster a positive team culture. Be ready to share examples of how you've motivated teams in previous roles, as this is crucial for the General Manager position. A strong emphasis on people management will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Bamburgh Walled Garden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and skills required for the General Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience in hospitality management, team leadership, and financial oversight. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive revenue and improve operations.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the unique opportunity at Bamburgh Walled Garden. Highlight specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your leadership skills and commercial mindset.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since the role requires strong interpersonal skills, include examples of how you have successfully led teams, fostered a positive work culture, and enhanced customer experiences in previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nigel Wright Recruitment
✨Show Your Passion for Hospitality
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the hospitality industry during the interview. Share specific examples of what excites you about managing a venue like the Bamburgh Walled Garden and how you can contribute to its unique atmosphere.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams, especially in busy environments. Highlight instances where you've successfully motivated staff, managed conflicts, or improved team performance, as this role requires strong leadership.
✨Be Commercially Minded
Familiarise yourself with key financial metrics relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've previously analysed sales data to make strategic decisions that drove revenue growth and improved margins.
✨Understand Food Safety and Compliance
Since the role involves overseeing food safety and hygiene standards, brush up on relevant regulations and be prepared to discuss your experience in maintaining compliance. This will show your commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for guests.
