Is it free to register as a host in Sudbury?

Yes. HostFamily.uk has no registration, subscription or placement fees for host families.

Will there be students to host in Sudbury?

Opportunities are fewer than in bigger towns, but schools search by location and some look for quieter homes. Registering means you can be found when a placement suits.

How do students travel from Sudbury?

A branch railway runs to Marks Tey, which connects to Colchester and London, and buses link Sudbury with nearby towns. Schools will check the journey works.

What might a student enjoy around Sudbury?

Gainsborough's House, walks along the water meadows and visits to Lavenham and Long Melford are all memorable.

Become a Host Family in Sudbury

Why Sudbury needs host families

Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, and his family home is now a museum. The town's water meadows along the Stour, its market and its proximity to Lavenham and Long Melford make it a lovely introduction to rural England. Nearby Lavenham, with its crooked timber-framed houses, is a celebrated medieval wool town.

Sudbury is a small town rather than a study centre, so hosting here suits students who are happy with a quieter setting. A branch railway line connects to the main line towards Colchester and London. Schools search by location, so a Sudbury home can still be found when a placement suits.

For families who enjoy company, a student can bring new energy to the house. You decide when your room is available and which students you accept, and you get to share the best of Suffolk with someone new.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Sudbury

Who you could host in Sudbury

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

Rural England experiences

Students who want to see village and country life, rather than big cities, may enjoy a stay in and around Sudbury.

Students based in nearby towns

Where travel allows, students studying in Colchester or elsewhere in the region may consider a family home in Sudbury.

Short summer homestays

Brief summer stays can be a relaxed way for Sudbury families to try hosting for the first time.

Where you could host

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

Sudbury town centre

Ballingdon

Chilton

Great Cornard

Long Melford

Lavenham

Acton

Glemsford

Bures

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 Sudbury 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 Sudbury 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 Sudbury: common questions

Ready to host in Sudbury?

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 Sudbury