Self-catering
No meals included; you buy and prepare your own food.
Meal plans explained
Understand your dining options: half-board, self-catering and more.
Watch: Choosing Your Homestay Meal Plan
Watch our short guide to see the different meal plan options available.
Related pages:
Meal plans help you choose the right homestay for your routine. This page explains what is included in each option and what you can reasonably expect in a family home.
Quick comparison
Bed & Breakfast
Breakfast included; kitchen use is usually limited.
Half board
Breakfast + evening meal included; kitchen use is not included as standard.
Important: Lunch is not included in any homestay meal plan. You will need to buy your own lunch (for example at school/work) or prepare your own packed lunch using your own food, where kitchen access allows.
Typical meal times
Meal times vary by household. Breakfast is usually in the morning before you leave for school/work, and dinner (if included) is usually in the early evening.
If you need meals very early or very late (for example early classes, evening shifts or training), tell us before booking. We will try to match you, but it depends on the home.
Self-catering
Self-catering means you arrange all your own meals. Your host will show you where you can store your food and when you can use the kitchen.
What is included:
- A private room in a host home (shared facilities in most homes).
- Kitchen access for cooking at agreed times, following house rules.
- Food storage space as agreed with your host (usually limited).
What to expect:
- You buy your own food and prepare your own meals.
- Storage space is usually limited (often a shelf in the fridge and a shelf in a cupboard). Buying smaller amounts more often can work better than large shopping trips.
- Please clean up after yourself and keep shared spaces tidy.
- Do not take host food without asking.
Bed & Breakfast (B&B)
B&B includes breakfast each morning that is often self-service. In the UK, breakfast is often lighter and simpler than in many other countries.
What breakfast typically includes (varies by home):
- Cereal (or sometimes porridge)
- Toast or bread with butter and jam/marmalade
- Tea or coffee (with milk)
- Sometimes: fruit juice, yoghurt or fresh fruit
A cooked (hot) breakfast is not included as standard. If you need a bigger breakfast, self-catering may suit you better because you can prepare your own food.
Kitchen access:
Kitchen use is usually limited for B&B bookings. Some hosts may allow light use (for example making tea/coffee or agreed reheating), but this depends on the home.
Half board
Half board includes breakfast plus an evening meal. Your host will tell you their normal meal times and house rules.
What is included:
- Breakfast each day (see B&B section above for typical items).
- An evening meal each day (or on agreed days, depending on the booking).
- A private room in a host home (shared facilities in most homes).
Kitchen access:
Kitchen use is not included for half-board bookings. Some hosts may allow light use (for example making tea/coffee or reheating) if agreed in advance, but this is not common for half-board placements.
Portions and snacks:
Hosts provide a reasonable home-style portion, similar to what they serve their own family. Snacks between meals are not included, so you may wish to buy your own snacks and ask your host where you can store them.
If you will not be home for dinner:
Please tell your host as early as possible if you plan to eat out, so they do not cook unnecessarily.
Drinks
Tap water in the UK is safe to drink. Your host will show you where you can get drinking water in the home.
Some hosts allow guests to make tea/coffee during the day; others prefer you to do this at certain times. Please ask your host when you arrive.
Dietary requirements and food allergies
If you have dietary requirements, allergies or intolerances, tell us in writing before booking so we can match you appropriately. By doing so, you consent to us sharing this information with your host for the purpose of arranging your stay.
Homestay hosts are not professional kitchens. Ingredients may contain allergens, and allergens can get into other food during cooking in a domestic home.
If you have a severe allergy (for example anaphylaxis risk), host-prepared meal plans may be unsafe. Self-catering is usually the safest option because you control all ingredients and food preparation.
Read more: Food allergies in homestays.
House rules and shared living
Homestay is a shared home. Please follow house rules, keep shared spaces tidy, and be considerate about noise and routines. For full details, read the Student Guidelines.
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“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.”
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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.”
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My 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!
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My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
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