How well connected is Sherborne?

Sherborne has a railway station on the line between London Waterloo and Exeter, and Yeovil is a short journey away by road or rail.

Does it cost anything to become a host in Sherborne?

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

Can families in Yeovil or Milborne Port register?

Yes. Schools search by location, so families in nearby towns and villages can list their homes and be found.

What can students explore from Sherborne?

The abbey and castles, walks in the surrounding countryside, and trips to the Dorset coast, Bath and Salisbury.

Become a Host Family in Sherborne

Why Sherborne needs host families

Sherborne Abbey dominates a town centre of honey-coloured stone, and the ruins of the Old Castle and the grounds of Sherborne Castle sit just outside it. It is a town with a long tradition of education, and young people from overseas are a familiar sight here.

Trains run from Sherborne towards Exeter and London Waterloo, and Yeovil is close by, so students staying here can still reach larger centres. Day to day, though, the appeal is a calm, safe-feeling town where it is easy to walk everywhere.

Hosting is a chance to share a corner of Dorset with someone new. You set your own availability, choose the students who suit your home, and schools contact you directly to arrange each placement.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Sherborne

Who you could host in Sherborne

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

Summer courses in the West Country

Summer brings younger learners to the region for short courses and holidays, and families in smaller towns can help schools find room.

International pupils needing a home

Students at schools in the area sometimes need a host family for holidays, exeat weekends or short stays. Schools explain their own requirements.

Adults on a quiet retreat

Adult learners who want a peaceful setting can find a market town like Sherborne a good place to focus on their English.

Where you could host

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

Sherborne town centre

Castleton

Bradford Abbas

Thornford

Yetminster

Longburton

Milborne Port

Yeovil

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 Sherborne 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 Sherborne 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 Sherborne: common questions

Ready to host in Sherborne?

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 Sherborne