What does it cost an Eastbourne household to register?

Nothing at all. Registration on HostFamily.uk is free for host families, with no subscription or placement fees.

How far from the town centre can I live?

Most of Eastbourne is a short bus ride from the centre, including Hampden Park, Langney and Sovereign Harbour. Schools consider journey times when choosing hosts.

Are Polegate and Willingdon close enough?

They can be. Both have bus links into Eastbourne, and Polegate also has a railway station, so schools may place students there.

What do students do in Eastbourne after lessons?

Walks up to Beachy Head, time on the beach and pier, and trips along the coast to Brighton are all popular. Longer-stay students often join local sports clubs.

Become a Host Family in Eastbourne

Why Eastbourne needs host families

Stretching from the pier to the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head, Eastbourne's seafront is broad, tidy and lined with gardens. Students can walk out to the Seven Sisters and the South Downs, then be home in time for dinner. Devonshire Park, home to international tennis each summer, is a short walk from the seafront.

The town has a long tradition of English language teaching, and its calm, safe reputation appeals to parents sending younger students abroad as well as to adults who want to study without big-city distractions. Buses and trains make it easy to reach Brighton and Lewes for days out.

Hosting suits many kinds of household here, from young families to retired couples with an empty bedroom. Sharing meals and conversation helps students improve their English quickly, and the extra income is a welcome bonus. Hosts usually provide a private bedroom, breakfast and an evening meal, and schools explain anything else they expect.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Eastbourne

Who you could host in Eastbourne

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

Summer groups by the sea

Junior groups fill the town in the summer holidays, studying in the mornings and exploring the coast in the afternoons. Most stay for a few weeks.

Quiet-season adult learners

Outside the summer rush, adults come to study at a steadier pace, often choosing Eastbourne because it is calm and easy to get around.

Exam preparation stays

Students working towards English exams often book longer courses and appreciate a settled home where they can study in the evenings.

Where you could host

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

Meads

Old Town

Upperton

Ratton

Roselands

Hampden Park

Langney

Sovereign Harbour

Willingdon

Polegate

Pevensey Bay

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 Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne: common questions

Ready to host in Eastbourne?

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 Eastbourne