Does Ely registration cost anything?

No. It is free for host families to register on HostFamily.uk, with no subscription or placement fees.

Is Ely close enough to Cambridge for students?

Trains between Ely and Cambridge are frequent and the journey is short, so many students would find it manageable. Schools decide what suits each learner.

Can I host from Soham or Littleport?

Both have railway stations, which helps. Schools search by location and will consider the journey before arranging a stay.

What will students enjoy about Ely?

The cathedral, the riverside walks, Oliver Cromwell's House and the wide Fenland skies give students a very different experience from a big city.

Become a Host Family in Ely

Why Ely needs host families

Known as the Ship of the Fens, Ely Cathedral rises above the flat landscape and can be seen for miles. The riverside along the Great Ouse, Oliver Cromwell's House and the city's markets give it a gentle, historic charm.

Ely has fast and frequent trains to Cambridge, so it can be a good base for students on courses there who prefer a quieter home. Schools search by location, so a well-connected Ely household can be found when they look for hosts nearby.

Families who host often enjoy the company as much as the students do. You share meals and conversation, choose the placements that suit you and help someone discover a side of England many visitors never see.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Ely

Who you could host in Ely

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

Cambridge course students

Learners with lessons in Cambridge sometimes live in Ely and take the short train journey each day.

Quieter summer stays

In the summer, students wanting a calm base away from city crowds may welcome a family home in a small cathedral city.

Adults wanting real immersion

Adults keen to practise English constantly often prefer a family home in a smaller place, where everyday life happens in English.

Where you could host

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

Ely city centre

Queen Adelaide

Prickwillow

Little Downham

Witchford

Stretham

Sutton

Haddenham

Littleport

Soham

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 Ely 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 Ely 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 Ely: common questions

Ready to host in Ely?

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 Ely