What are the fees for registering in Ashford?

There are none. Host families join HostFamily.uk for free, without subscription or placement fees.

Why would a student live in Ashford?

Its fast trains to London, Canterbury and the coast make it easy to get to lessons and to explore, while the town itself offers a calm family setting.

Do village homes around Ashford work for hosting?

Villages with a station, such as Wye, Charing or Hamstreet, can work well. Schools look at how a student would travel before arranging a stay.

What can students do around Ashford?

Days out to London, Canterbury and the coast are easy by train, and the surrounding countryside offers walks through orchards and villages.

Become a Host Family in Ashford

Why Ashford needs host families

Ashford International station brings London well within an hour, and trains also run to Canterbury, Folkestone and the Kent coast. For students, that means a comfortable family home with easy days out across the South East. It is also on the doorstep of the North Downs, with walking routes close to town.

The town is surrounded by the Kent countryside, with villages such as Wye and Charing close by and the Designer Outlet a favourite stop for visitors. Schools placing students across Kent can find hosts here by searching on location. Ashford is not a seaside resort, but its location makes it a practical place to host.

Many Ashford households have a spare room and enjoy the idea of welcoming someone from overseas. Hosting fits around your life: you choose the dates, accept the students who suit you and share everyday family routines. Schools get in touch with you directly, so you can talk each stay through first.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Ashford

Who you could host in Ashford

You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.

Commuting learners

Thanks to its rail links, Ashford can suit students who travel each day to lessons in Canterbury or elsewhere in Kent.

Summer visitors from Europe

Young students from Europe visit Kent in the summer holidays, and well-connected homes can be useful to the schools that organise their stays.

Adults seeking a family home

Some adults would rather live with a family in a relaxed town than in student housing, and Ashford's transport makes that practical.

Where you could host

Schools look for homes within easy reach of their classes. These are some of the areas in and around Ashford.

Ashford town centre

Kennington

Willesborough

Bybrook

Godinton

Singleton

Park Farm

Kingsnorth

Great Chart

Wye

Charing

Hamstreet

How it works

1. Register for free

Create your host profile in a few minutes. There are no fees or subscriptions.

2. Get found by schools

Language schools that place students in and around Ashford search for hosts by location, rooms and availability.

3. Welcome your student

A school contacts you directly to arrange a placement. You decide which students you accept.

Earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free

Under the government's Rent a Room scheme, income from hosting students in your Ashford home is tax-free up to £7,500 a year.

Applies whether you own or rent (with your landlord's permission)
Claim it with a single tick box on your tax return

General guidance only. Read more on GOV.UK

Hosting in Ashford: common questions

Ready to host in Ashford?

Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.

Host families are also needed near Ashford