Are there students to host in a town the size of Stratford?

Yes, though placements here tend to involve study tours, summer groups and students on courses in nearby towns and cities. Registering lets schools across the area see your home when they search by location.

Is it free to list my home in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Yes. Host families register on HostFamily.uk at no cost, and there are no subscription or placement fees.

What will a student do in their free time in Stratford?

Most enjoy the theatres, Shakespeare's family homes, boat trips and walks along the Avon. Warwick Castle and the Cotswolds are popular days out too.

Can I host if I live in a village outside Stratford?

Often, yes. Families in places like Wilmcote, Welford-on-Avon or Alcester can register, and schools will look at how easily a student can reach their classes or activities before getting in touch.

Become a Host Family in Stratford-upon-Avon

Why Stratford-upon-Avon needs host families

Stratford-upon-Avon sits on the River Avon at the edge of the Cotswolds, with Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre all within easy reach of one another. For a student reading English literature or working on their spoken English, staying here brings the language to life in a way a classroom cannot.

The town is smaller than the cities around it, so hosting here often means welcoming students on short study tours, summer programmes or courses in nearby Leamington Spa, Warwick and Birmingham. Trains run from Stratford to Birmingham, and the surrounding villages give students a quieter base than a busy city homestay.

A spare room in Stratford can become a student's window on everyday English life: family meals, walks along the river and conversations at the kitchen table. Hosts choose when they are available and which students they accept, so hosting fits around the rhythm of your own household.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Stratford-upon-Avon

Who you could host in Stratford-upon-Avon

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

Summer literature and culture trips

Groups of younger students often visit in the summer to combine English lessons with theatre, Shakespeare's family homes and day trips across the Midlands.

Short study tours

Some groups stay a week or two on a programme that mixes classes with sightseeing. A brief stay is an easy way for a new host family to begin.

Students at nearby schools and universities

Adults studying in Leamington Spa, Warwick or Birmingham sometimes prefer a quieter homestay in a historic market town with rail links to the city.

Where you could host

Schools look for homes within easy reach of their classes. These are some of the areas in and around Stratford-upon-Avon.

Stratford town centre

Shottery

Tiddington

Bishopton

Wilmcote

Clifford Chambers

Welford-on-Avon

Alcester

Wellesbourne

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 Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon: common questions

Ready to host in Stratford-upon-Avon?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon