Housekeeper/Cook I Henley-on-Thames

Our clients are looking for a professional, well-trained live-in housekeeper/cook, to work and care for their weekend home situated in a beautiful little village in Oxfordshire and the Chiltern Hills, about 4½ miles northwest of Henley-on-Thames and 6 miles southeast of Wallingford.

The principals, and their 2 children (who are young adults), use the property at weekends, normally arriving Friday late afternoon/early evening, then leaving on Sunday after lunch, or occasionally first-thing on Monday morning. Therefore, its essential that applicants understand this role requires someone happy to work mainly weekends, taking days-off during the week.

Applicants must be dog lovers as there are 2 dogs in permanent residence, a Labrador and an elderly cocker spaniel who need to be fed and walked along with receiving TLC. (There is a full-time gardener employed, who can feed and look after the dogs on the housekeeper’s days off).

The housekeeper will not only need to look after laundry and keep the house clean and tidy, which includes 7-bedrooms and various reception rooms, but they must also have an advanced eye for detail and that natural ability to present every room beautifully, in a homely and inviting way, with cut flowers and houseplants, and when/where necessary, scented candles, candles and fireplaces lit.

While members of the family enjoy cooking themselves, the housekeeper must be able to prepare simple, hearty, tasty family meals, including such things as: salads, sandwiches, cakes, casseroles, pies, puddings or a good roast. The housekeeper will also need to be ready to help the family with setting tables and clearing away after meals etc.

This happy family, love their home and weekend-life. Therefore, it is especially important that the housekeeper can fit in quickly and easily, is well-presented, and exhibits a cheerful and friendly disposition, combined with a can-do/will do attitude.