How well connected is Basingstoke for students?

Very well. Basingstoke station has direct trains to London Waterloo, Reading and Southampton, and local buses serve the town's neighbourhoods.

Will I be charged for registering as a Basingstoke host?

No. Host families register for free, with no subscription or placement fees.

Can I host if I live in Hook, Tadley or Overton?

Yes, provided the journey to class is practical. Hook and Overton both have stations, which helps.

What can students do in Basingstoke?

They can visit Basing House, relax in War Memorial Park, enjoy shows at The Anvil and the town's shops, and take the train to London or the south coast.

Become a Host Family in Basingstoke

Why Basingstoke needs host families

Behind its modern town centre and Festival Place shopping centre, Basingstoke has an old market town at its heart, with the ruins of Basing House close by and War Memorial Park near the centre. The surrounding Hampshire countryside offers walks and villages to explore, and London Waterloo is a direct train away.

Many large employers have offices in Basingstoke, which makes it a natural base for adults learning English for work. Students also travel from here to courses in Reading, Winchester or London. Homes near the station or on a bus route into the town centre are most practical.

Hosting gives a spare room a purpose and brings new friendships into family life. A business visitor might stay just a week or two, while a student on a longer course becomes part of the household for months, and you can decide which suits you. You set your own dates, choose the students you accept, and schools get in touch with you directly.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Basingstoke

Who you could host in Basingstoke

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

Corporate English learners

Professionals on short, intensive programmes connected with their work sometimes prefer staying with a family rather than in a hotel.

Commuting students

Students studying in nearby towns or in London can live with a Basingstoke family and travel by train each day.

Summer visitors

Summer brings younger students on short courses across Hampshire and Berkshire. Schools explain their own requirements for hosting under-18s.

Where you could host

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

Basingstoke town centre

Old Basing

Chineham

Hatch Warren

Brighton Hill

Kempshott

Lychpit

Oakridge

Popley

Hook

Overton

Tadley

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 Basingstoke 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 Basingstoke 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 Basingstoke: common questions

Ready to host in Basingstoke?

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 Basingstoke