Portsmouth is the United Kingdom’s only island city. Portsmouth is situated 64 miles (103 km) south west of London and 19 miles (31 km) south east of Southampton.
Many of Portsmouth’s tourist attractions are related to its naval history. The main attractions are the D-Day Museum and HMS Victory, the remains of Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose, HMS Warrior (Britain’s first iron-hulled warship) and the Royal Naval Museum. The last weekend of November each year the Historic Dockyard host the Victorian Festival of Christmas. Most of the city’s former defences are now museums or host events. Several of the Victorian era forts on Portsdown Hill are now tourist attractions. Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries museum. The Tudor Southsea Castle has a small museum, and many of the seafront defences are open to the public. The southern part of the Royal Marines Eastney Barracks is now the Royal Marines Museum. Portsmouth has a large number of war memorials around the city.
Other tourist attractions include the birthplace of Charles Dickens, the Blue Reef Aquarium and a natural history museum. Southsea’s seafront is also home to Clarence Pier Amusement Park and Canoe Lake.
The city has several mainline railway stations, on two different direct South West Trains routes to London Waterloo. There is also a South West Train service to Southampton Central which also provides connections to CrossCountry services to Birmingham and Manchester, and a service by Great Western Railway to Cardiff Central via Southampton, Salisbury, Bath and Bristol.
There are also services to Brighton, Gatwick Airport, Croydon and London Victoria.
Local bus services serve the city of Portsmouth and the surroundings of Havant, Leigh Park, Waterlooville, Fareham, Petersfield and long-distance service 700 to Chichester, Worthing and Brighton.
National Express services from Portsmouth run mainly from The Hard Interchange to London, Cornwall, Bradford, Birkenhead and Eastbourne.
Prices are per night. Please note the below is a guide, please contact us for the full rates and list of supplements.
High season is 1 February to 31 July and 1 September to 31 October.
Low season is 1 to 31 January, 1 to 31 August and 1 November to 31 December.
Supplement for leaders/drivers in twin room is £3.00 pppn on above prices.
Supplement for leaders in single room, subject to availability, is £6.00 pppn on above prices.
Supplement for drivers in single room is £10.00 pppn on above prices.
Extra packed lunch is £5.00 pppn.
A supplement of £2.00 per person per night will be added for 2 night stay bookings.
1-3 nights = £100.00
4-7 nights = £50.00
8 nights or more = £0.00
Please note that although we do cover the above areas we may not necessarily be recruiting new hosts in all areas at all times. If you are thinking of becoming a host, but would first like to confirm if we are currently recruiting in your area prior to completing the application form, please drop us a quick message on our contact us form and let us know your postcode. We will reply as quickly as possible.
“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
Alex Fernandes, Accommodation & Visa Compliance Manager, Malvern House London“Having worked with them since 2013, I can state that London Homestays have always taken care to match our students with suitable host families. They have a very friendly yet professional approach to their work. Our students have enjoyed staying at their homestays. Overall, students say that their host families are attentive and welcoming.”
Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English“We at Burlington School have worked with London Homestays since 2014, and I professionally know the team since 2009 when I worked for another company in the education and accommodation industry. Having had the opportunity to work with London Homestays since the company started operations in London, all of the enquiries have been dealt with in a dedicated and timely manner, the team members are customer-oriented and always provide an exceptional accommodation experience to our students. I have no hesitation to recommend London Homestays as excellent accommodation providers and business partners.”
Eliane Tomasi, Accommodation & Welfare Officer, Burlington School“LSC Stanton has been working with London Homestays since 2011 and we are very pleased with the quality of accommodation and service they give to us. We have a good relationship with the team and they are always on hand to deal with any last-minute requests.”
Nick Bray, Managing Director, London Study Centre.“Cooperation with London Homestays is always great! We highly appreciate proactive approach and effort to ensure the best possible services for our groups. We always had a great clean accommodation, friendly family and smart local organisers. Students of our groups were satisfied and they enjoyed staying in London very much. We would like to recommend this agency. The whole team is very kind.”
Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
Stéphanie Frassanito, Program Manager, Work Overseas“Our school from the Czech Republic has had great experiences with London Homestays. They are one of the only hosting agencies who would accept our very young guests (under 12). The host families were generally welcoming, kind, and accommodating. The service provided by the coordinator Kate O’Connor and other admin staff is second to none.”
Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International SchoolIt was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, LondonMy homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay bookingMy stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2“Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting (SCIC) has worked with Home from Home many times and they have provided a very professional service.”
Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting