Why Dorchester needs host families
Thomas Hardy based his Casterbridge on Dorchester, and the town still has the feel of a traditional market town, with Roman remains, a busy high street and Maiden Castle, one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in Britain, just outside. Poundbury, on its western edge, adds a newer side to the town.
Weymouth and the Jurassic Coast are a short trip south, and Dorchester has rail links towards Bournemouth, Southampton and London as well as to Bristol. That makes it a comfortable base for students who want both the coast and the countryside.
Sharing your home with a student can be as rewarding for your family as it is for them. You decide when you host and who you welcome, and schools contact you directly whenever there is a suitable placement.
Who you could host in Dorchester
You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.
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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester: common questions
Ready to host in Dorchester?
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.