Do Whitstable families pay to be listed?

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

How do students get from Whitstable to Canterbury?

Frequent buses run between the two, and the journey is short. Schools will check that the route suits each student before arranging a stay.

Is the University of Kent easy to reach from Whitstable?

The university sits on the Whitstable side of Canterbury, and buses link the two, so homes here can be convenient for students heading there.

What will a student enjoy about Whitstable?

The harbour, the seafood, walks along the beach to Tankerton and the independent shops on Harbour Street are all popular.

Become a Host Family in Whitstable

Why Whitstable needs host families

Fishing boats in the harbour, weatherboarded cottages, and beach huts lining the slopes at Tankerton give Whitstable a character all of its own. Sunsets over the estuary are a local favourite, and students soon learn why. The town's independent shops and seafood stalls give it a relaxed, creative feel.

Canterbury, one of the best-known places in England to study English, is only a few miles inland, with regular buses between the two. A Whitstable home can suit students on courses in the city who would like to live by the sea.

Hosting here means offering a relaxed, coastal family life. You choose when your room is available and which students to welcome, and every guest brings new stories and perspectives to the dinner table.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Whitstable

Who you could host in Whitstable

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

Seaside living, city lessons

Students studying in Canterbury sometimes prefer a coastal home, travelling into the city by bus for classes.

Summer course students

During the summer holidays, younger students come to east Kent for short courses, and well-connected Whitstable homes can be considered.

University newcomers

Students arriving for university study in Canterbury may want a family home for their first weeks or term in the UK.

Where you could host

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

Whitstable town centre

Tankerton

Seasalter

Swalecliffe

Chestfield

Studd Hill

Herne Bay

Yorkletts

Blean

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 Whitstable 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 Whitstable 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 Whitstable: common questions

Ready to host in Whitstable?

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 Whitstable