Retailer John Lewis which runs the castle on Brownsea Island in the middle of Poole Harbour in Dorset, has advertised for a boat skipper and is offering live-in accommodation on the wildlife-rich island for the successful applicant.
The job, which has a closing date of Saturday 24th January 2026, is to operate a 12 metre jet catamaran on a scheduled service for an average of 37.5 hours a week, over three or four days per week.
The castle on Brownsea Island is operated by John Lewis as a hotel for its staff
Hotel for John Lewis staff
The National Trust acquired Brownsea Island in 1962, with Dorset Wildlife Trust leasing and managing the northern part of the island. The historic castle on the island is leased to John Lewis and Partners as a hotel for its staff.
Every year thousands of visitors take a day trip to the island to enjoy the walks, discover the wildlife, and spot birds and the rare red squirrels. The island is currently closed to most visitors for the winter but is due to reopen on Saturday 14th March 2026.
Visitors can take a boat service from Poole Quay to get to the island, and there are plans to operate another service from Sandbanks jetty next to the Sandbanks Ferry for the summer season during 2026.
Brownsea is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour, which is the second largest natural harbour in the world
On a sunny day, the views from the island can make visitors think they are in the Mediterranean rather than the UK
“A rare opportunity has arisen to live on this idyllic island”
The permanent opportunity to work as a boat skipper, advertised on the John Lewis website, is offering a salary range of between £25,500 to £34,000 a year.
In the advert it says:
“Brownsea Castle, located on Brownsea Island, Poole, is operated as a hotel for John Lewis Partnership Partners. A short ferry trip brings you to our island getaway across beautiful Poole Harbour.
“Working on an island, living in a castle with red squirrels at your window, sounds like a fantasy but due to the wonderful and unique Brownsea Castle, this could be your reality.
“A rare opportunity has arisen to live on this idyllic island, your commute to work being just a few minutes walk. Surrounded by nature and beautiful scenery, you will join a wonderful island community with easy access to the mainland, operating the Partnership’s 12 metre jet catamaran on a scheduled service.”
Work by the National Trust started at the end of 2025 to rebuild the Sandbanks jetty
An architect’s design of what the Sandbanks jetty should look like once it’s completed
“Providing a consistently outstanding guest experience”
As the skipper, the job will include taking passengers to and from Brownsea Island daily throughout the year, working as part of the wider hotel team, and ensuring safe operating procedures are adhered to at all times.
The advert adds:
“You’ll undertake routine maintenance and tasks associated with ensuring ongoing vessel compliance.
“Due to the island being owned by the National Trust, you’ll work alongside their operation where shared resources and support are required at times to maintain the boat service.
“You’ll take pleasure in providing a consistently outstanding guest experience.”
Essential skills include holding or obtaining an appropriate MCA qualification to operate a class V passenger vessel in category C waters (BoatMaster’s Licence), relevant experience, good communication skills, and of course, excellent time-keeping!
There’s a small community that live on Brownsea Island all year round and there’s even a church which is part of the parish of Studland
Further information
- The job advert is on the John Lewis website
- More about Brownsea Island
