Our First Live-in Domestic Couple Job
May 2005 – October 2008: This page shares our journey from the very beginning, starting with our first role as a live-in domestic couple at Allington Castle. It was here that we took our initial steps into this unique and rewarding career, working as a housekeeper/cook and handyman.
How We Became a Domestic Couple
The job advert
In February 2005, an ad in The Kent Messenger caught our eye. Allington Castle in Maidstone was looking for a live-in domestic couple. The ad read,
'Is there a couple looking for the opportunity to live and work on a 40-acre estate in the Gatehouse of a restored 13th Century Castle near Maidstone?'
We were intrigued. Neither Kirsten nor I had any experience in domestic service, nor had we imagined working at a castle. Coming from South Africa, where the oldest buildings only date back to the 1600s, the idea of living and working in a medieval castle felt surreal. The ad sparked our imaginations.
We applied, even knowing our chances were slim—especially since we had an eleven-year-old son and the ad didn't mention children.
The interview
A few days later the owners of the estate invited us for an interview. We remember that day well—arriving at the gates (The Gatehouse, later to be our home) of Allington Castle, driving down the long, tree-lined road, and catching our first sight of the castle.
Despite our nerves and the fact that we brought our son with us to the interview, something that feels odd in hindsight, the owners warmly welcomed us. Meeting a Sir and Lady was far from anything we had experienced before, but they were warm and welcoming. The interview was fairly informal, with a mix of walking around the estate and ending up in The Great Hall for a cup of tea. And we don't know how we did it, but amazingly, they offered us the job on the spot. We left that day hardly believing our luck.
Moving into our live-in accommodation
We moved into the Gatehouse at Allington Castle in April 2005. The property, with its distinctive arched design, sits at the main entrance to the castle at the bottom of Castle Road. With Allington Lock on one side and Allington Marina on the other, the area was peaceful, secure, and full of charm. The Gatehouse itself inside was old and a bit dark, just as you’d expect from such a historic building, but it quickly became home—a place we made our own.
We spent evenings and weekends transforming the garden into a safe, welcoming space for our son to play. He thrived in the outdoor setting, and his friends often stayed over, enjoying the freedom of the grounds. Our boss was always kind, encouraging the children to walk Thunder and Lightning, their two black Labradors. He also loved showing the castle to our son’s school friends, making it a memorable experience for everyone who visited. These moments stand out as highlights of our time there.
Like all live-in roles at UK stately homes, all utilities, including gas and electricity, were covered by the employer. At the time, we couldn’t believe our luck, especially since just a month earlier, we hadn’t even known jobs like this existed—let alone ones that allowed couples or, in rare cases, families. Of course, with what we know now, we realise how uncommon it was for a live-in domestic couple role to accommodate children or pets.
Looking back, those years in the Gatehouse were a unique chapter in our lives. It was a rare opportunity to blend work and family life in such a beautiful setting, and we’ll always treasure the memories we made there.
What was it like working at a castle?
Our time at Allington Castle was a period of personal growth and skill-building. Kirsten took on the role of housekeeper and cook, with assistance from a daily housekeeper who came in several times a week. She managed all the cooking from Monday to Friday, while the boss often took over at weekends, giving us much-needed time off to spend with our son. My role was as a handyman, responsible for maintaining the castle, eight cottages, the pool, and ensuring the estate was kept in excellent condition. Much of my time was spent on tasks like changing light bulbs and sweeping leaves. There was an unspoken rule from the boss: if you weren’t actively working on something specific, you should at least look busy—with a broom often in hand.
At the time, the castle had a full complement of staff. In addition to us, there were four live-in gardeners and a daily live-out groundsman, all under the direction of the estate manager. While the castle primarily served as a private residence, we occasionally hosted small weddings in the chapel and the odd film shoot.
Although it was quieter back then compared to the busier events today, the work kept us engaged and constantly learning. The boss, known for their meticulous attention to detail, had high expectations—particularly when hosting guests or business meetings. Every detail mattered, from serving meals from the left and clearing plates from the right, to ensuring champagne glasses were handled properly by their stems. The bosses were, however, incredibly supportive employers, taking a genuine interest in our personal and professional development.
Two of my favourite projects were rebuilding the castle’s lily pond and building a shelter for the alpacas. Kirsten also had her opportunities to grow; she attended a cookery school to further refine her culinary skills, preparing her for larger events hosted in the Great Hall.
The Christmas season was always busy, with the bosses’ family visiting each year. Decorating the Great Hall and preparing festive meals became an annual tradition, and their two sons, who were pleasant enough, joined the celebrations, though they were not involved in running the estate.
One particularly memorable occasion was hosting Prince Edward, HRH, as a guest at the castle—a truly unique experience.
One of the highlights each year was the New Year’s Day party, where we catered for 100 to 150 of the bosses’ friends and family.
Despite the demands of the job, the learning opportunities and the warm support from the bosses made our time at Allington Castle incredibly rewarding. It felt like we were living the dream.
We Left Allington Castle On Good Terms
After several happy years working as a domestic couple at Allington Castle, Kirsten and I left in 2008 on very good terms. Sir Robert Worcester provided us with the following reference, which helped us secure three other domestic couple jobs:
"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I write with reference to the employment of Mr and Mrs Craig Bruun who have been employed at Allington Castle as Maintenanceman and Cook/Housekeeper since May 2005. They are an excellent couple. We are sorry to lose them and would re-employ. They are honest, conscientious, willing and pleasant to have around and we are sorry that they feel it’s time for a move.
I have no hesitation in recommending them to other potential employers.
Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL
16 October 2008
Our First Job at Allington Castle.
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Disclaimer
The content of our website reflects our personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal advice. All claims are presented in good faith to raise awareness and advocate for reform in live-in domestic staffing roles. For specific legal advice, please consult a qualified professional.
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