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We monitor and evaluate all our host family centres and are very likely to be the only tour operator in the UK to run an in-house accommodation department successfully inspected by both British and French Government officials.
Staying with a family is by far the most popular and cost-effective way of experiencing life in Britain. Over 18,000 students stay in our Host Family centres in London and throughout the UK each year.
To ensure children are placed in a secure family environment our host families are carefully selected and monitored by our Local Organisers. Students will receive breakfast and evening meal with the family and will be provided with a packed lunch.
Students are expected to spend their evenings with their host family to practise their English. Host families are also provided for group leaders and coach drivers, but we can also book local guesthouses and hotels if preferred. Students are accommodated in 2, 3 or 4 per family. The minimum length of stay is 2 nights, with no maximum length of stay! |
 Click on an area of the map or on the links below for descriptions of each centre... |
Our London host families are mainly situated in zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Greater London. Each centre has easy access to a train station which means that travelling into central London is quick and easy for groups not travelling with their own coach. Twin has its own host family centre in Catford which is operated from it's HQ in London. |
Catford is a suburb of London, situated 15 kms to the south-east of the capital. It has excellent road and rail links with central London, and is also within easy reach of the Channel ports. Once a small village, Catford developed during the 19th and 20th centuries into a large residential town and is now a prominent administrative and entertainments centre.
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Bexleyheath -Easy to reach by road or rail, Bexleyheath is only 26 kms south-east of central London. This pleasant residential town has excellent amenities for sport and leisure activities and there are many acres of parkland, gardens and open spaces.
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Bromley - London’s largest borough, Bromley maintains a pleasant environment for it’s 300,000 residents and is home to the Glades, a large shopping centre. Only 20 minutes from Central London by train with easy access to Kent and the South East.
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Caterham/Coulsdon - Caterham is located on the outskirts of London, in the Surrey countryside, but has very good links with the M25. There are many green open spaces around Caterham.
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Dartford - Located on the borders of London, Kent and Essex and home to one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, Lakeside. Shortly to have direct links to the continent with the development of the International railway station at Ebbsfleet.
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Edmonton Green is our only host family centre in North East London. In recent years the area has had a £120 million make over to replace the existing leisure centre and the construction of a new shopping mall.
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Harrow is only 19 kms north-west of Central London but is on the edge of the countryside. The town dates from the fourteenth century and the old village centres of Harrow-on-the-Hill, Harrow Weald, Stanmore and Pinner are reminiscent of the area's rural past - these communities have now merged to form an attractive residential area of varying architectural styles. Harrow School, founded in 1572 is one of the most famous public schools in the world.
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Morden is a quiet, residential area located just south of Wimbledon, famous for the annual tennis championships. Until the 1920s Morden was a quiet rural backwater: basically a private estate with a village and a parish church serving a small farming community. But in 1926 the Northern Line of the Underground made it this far and residential development began in earnest.
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New Eltham is a residential area in south east London. It is an attractive suburb, which has developed along part of the old road from London to Maidstone. It has good links to Greenwich and the Kent countryside. It is surrounded by green space from the many sports clubs and parks in the area.
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Orpington is an attractive suburban town, south-east of London in the London Borough of Bromley. It is near the M25 (London Orbital Motorway) and although it is on the borders of the Kent countryside, it has excellent road and rail links to London. There are good local shops & a large Sunday Market and excellent sports facilities at the Walnut Sports Centre.
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Plumstead – In the London Borough of Greenwich and easily accessible to Central London by train.
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Purley is a suburb of Croydon, 18 km south of London. Located close to the M25 for easy access to London and the rest of the UK.
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Richmond/Wimbledon - Richmond is described as London’s most attractive borough, with beautiful Royal parks and historic houses. Situated on the district tube line it is perfect for groups without their own coach.
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Selsdon is a suburb of Croydon. Croydon is a large town in south London, with excellent facilities including a large shopping centre, theatres, cinemas, many restaurants and bars. Croydon is well located close to the M25 motorway for easy access to the London and the rest of the UK.
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Thamesmead is situated on the River Thames and is a residential ‘new town’ of South East London, about 15 km from Central London.
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Twickenham is part of the London Borough of Richmond and is situated west of London. It is a town steeped in history, with many attractions to visit such as York House Gardens, Marble Hill House and Orleans House Gallery. It is also well known as the home of English Rugby, the national stadium is located here.
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Wallington is a green suburb, situated 32 kms to the south east of the capital. It has excellent road and rail links with central London. It is a small town, but benefits by being very close to the large towns of Sutton and Croydon.
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Welling – Located close to Bexleyheath and 17 km from Charing Cross station. Welling is a residential town with lots of shops and restaurants.
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West Wickham is a small town situated in the London Borough of Bromley, twelve miles south-east of London with easy access by train and in easy reach of Channel ports and London's airports. The nearby town of Bromley is one of the largest and most prosperous towns in the south of England with first class shopping facilities. West Wickham is a pleasant blend of residential development and open spaces plus many buildings of special architectural or historic interest.
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| Twin has its own host family centre in Eastbourne which is operated from its English Centre. |
| Ashford is the largest district in Kent and is situated in the Heart of the “Garden of England”. It has numerous historic and delightful villages to visit and is well positioned for visiting many interesting sights in London, Kent and the rest of the southeast. It is also only 33 kms from Dover. |
| Bexhill on Sea is a seaside resort lying between Eastbourne and Hastings on the South coast of England and is surrounded by many attractions including 1066 Country. Bexhill on Sea is ideally located just 1 hour from the Channel ferry ports, the Channel Tunnel and Gatwick airport, and is only 2 hours from London. |
| Bognor Regis is a small coastal town on the South Coast of England, 105 km from London. Originally a fishing village it is now a popular seaside resort. The town is currently undergoing significant regeneration to improve the town centre and possibly develop a marina. |
| Bournemouth can be found on the South coast of England and with a population of over 163,000 it is the largest town of Dorset. Famous for its 7 miles of award winning beach and gardens, the town is a popular tourist resort. A survey in 2007 found Bournemouth to be the happiest place in Britain, and in 2008 it was found to be the safest place to live in England due to the low crime rate. |
| Brighton is a large town situated between the South Downs and the Channel. Only 1 hour by train from Central London, a lively seafront and local attractions are some of the reasons why it is such a popular tourist resort with 8 million visitors a year. The Royal Pavillion is a prominent attraction with its Indian architecture and was once a royal palace. Brighton is also home to one of Europe’s largest marinas. |
| Canterbury is an ancient city which was inhabited by the Romans and Saxons before developing into a major religious centre during medieval times. There are many fascinating remains from these periods, but above all it is the magnificent Cathedral which dominates the city. Today Canterbury is a unique blend of medieval atmosphere and modern amenities, and it is a perfect starting point for exploring the beautiful Kent countyside and coastline. |
| Christchurch/New Forest – Christchurch is famous for its heritage being close to the Dorset Heritage Centre and has a fascinating history and a beautiful coastline and harbour. One of its main attractions is the Christchurch Priory Church that was built in 1094. The New Forest National Park was created by William the Conqueror in 1079 as a hunting area. Now it is an outstanding area for recreation, perfect for walks, cycling and horse riding, and is a haven for wildlife. |
| Crawley is 28 miles south of London and home to Gatwick airport, ideal for groups arriving by plane to this airport. An ideal base for getting to London with regular trains into London Victoria and London Bridge stations. |
| Eastbourne is situated in the middle of the South Downs national park, since the 19th Century it has been a popular seaside holiday destination for British people. Nowadays Eastbourne is a very popular destination for language study, particularly in the summer months. The town has a large Victorian pier with amuseument arcades, beaches and beautiful cliff top walks. |
| Epsom/Banstead is in Surrey and within minutes from the M25. With direct train links into Central London it is only 40 minutes to London Bridge. There are also train links to Guildford and Wimbledon where it joins with the London Underground system. The area is surrounded by wonderful countryside and Epsom was voted the best place to live in the UK in 2005 by the TV Show "Location, Location, Location". |
| Hastings is a historical town on the south coast famous as a base for William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings in 1066; the Battlefield being one of the top attractions. Later the town and surrounding areas of Battle and Rye was a well known smuggling centre for the Hawkhurst Gang; it also became a Cinque Port. There is good access to Gatwick Airport, the docks at Folkestone, Dover & Newhaven and London which is approximately 100 km away. The surrounding Sussex countryside hides many beautiful unspoilt villages and scenery. |
| Portsmouth - One of Britain's most historic cities, Portsmouth's dockyard is a worldclass centre for Maritime Heritage. Scores of unique ships, castles, forts and museums illustrate 800 years of non-stop naval activity. |
| Rochester - is a town in Kent, England, at the lowest bridging point of the River Medway about 30 miles (50 km) from London. With Chatham, Gillingham, Strood and a number of outlying villages it makes up the Borough of Medway. The town is home to a number of important historic buildings, the most prominent of which are the Guildhall, the Corn Exchange, Restoration House, Eastgate House, Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral. Many of the buildings in the town centre date from the 18th century or as early as the 14th century. Rochester is 12 minutes away from Bluewater (Europe's largest and most innovative retail and leisure destination). Other places of attraction are the Historic Dockyard and Dickens World. |
| Sevenoaks is a commuter town of Kent, about 35 km south east of London. Home to Knole Park, a National Trust site, the town also has a shopping centre, a variety of restaurants and a theatre/cinema complex. |
| Southampton is a modern city on the South coast of England, northwest of Portsmouth with one of Britain’s most historic ports. An ideal base for exploring the South coast, New Forest and the Isle of Wight. |
| Tunbridge Wells is a local government district and borough in Kent. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. The borough of Tunbridge Wells lies along the south eastern border of Kent, partly on the northern edge of the Weald, the remainder on the Weald Clay plain in the upper reaches of the rivers Teise and Beult. Apart from Tunbridge Wells itself, places of interest in the Borough include: Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst for leisure water pursuits and outdoor conferences and Sissinghurst Castle gardens: the home of Vita Sackville-West - and there are facilities for rock-climbing at the 'High Rocks', 2 miles west of Tunbridge Wells. |
| Whitstable/Herne Bay are situated on the North East coast of Kent, about 100 km east of London and 11km north of Canterbury. Herne Bay has an impressive promenade running along the coastline and the whole sea front has been re-developed in recent years. 2 km to the west is Whitstable, also know as the ‘Pearl of Kent’. The town is famous for its oysters and its maritime heritage. |
| Woking is a large town in the west of Surrey, 37 km south west of London. It is served by excellent transport links by train to Charing Cross and by bus to Heathrow airport. This area is a peaceful area in the heart of the countryside and close to Twin's summer school centre of Guildford. |
| Worthing is a seaside town on the south coast with 5 miles of award winning coastline. On Worthing’s doorstep is the outstanding countryside of East and West Sussex with dozens of things to see and do. |
| Twin has its own host family centre in Salisbury. |
| Bath Area (Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Shepton Mallet) – These 4 small towns are all located in the beautiful Somerset countryside, approximately 30 kms from the centre of Bath. Somerset is a beautiful county with many attractive towns and villages, and plenty of attractions to keep groups busy. |
| Exeter is a popular tourist destination in Devon. There is much to see in the area such as the cathedral founded in 1050 and the ruins of Rougemont Castle. It is ideally situated to visit Dartmoor National park and the unspoilt beaches nearby. |
| Frome is a town of enormous charm, with its steep, winding streets, its wealth of beautiful old buildings and its friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It has more listed buildings than any other town in Somerset - 357 at the last count! It is located 27 kilometres from Bath. |
| Plymouth is a large city with a real history of naval involvement. It still operates as a port and naval base with many naval monuments and points of interest. The Royal Navy has had a permanent base in Plymouth since the end of the 17th century. It was from Plymouth that Sir Francis Drake set sail in 1588 to attack the Spanish Armada. Other historic journeys from Plymouth include the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed to America to found New England in their little ship The Mayflower in 1620. In 1772 Captain James Cook set out on his round the world voyage from Plymouth as did Sir Francis Chichester on his solo voyage nearly 200 years later in 1967. It is well placed to visit the many attractions in the beautiful counties of Devon & Cornwall. |
| Salisbury - The city of Salisbury began way back in the 13th century when the bishop decided to move the cathedral and clergy of Old Sarum (2 miles north of modern Salisbury) to a new site. The city grew around the new cathedral in the common medieval grid pattern which can still be seen in the streets around Cathedral Close. Salisbury is a picturesque small city surrounded by beautiful countryside, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities around Salisbury. Stonehenge is just a short drive a way. |
| Torquay/Newton Abbot – Torquay is the largest town in the “English Riviera” - it has been one of the UK’s top holiday destinations since Victorian Times. Much of the West Country, including Plymouth, Exeter, Dartmouth and Dartmoor, is well within reach making this area an ideal touring base from which to explore the region. |
| Weston-super-Mare’s beginnings go back thousands of years. For a few hundred years from the time the Romans left in the 5th century AD, Weston existed as a small community of people depending on farming and fishing for their living. Today Weston is a thriving seaside resort still visited by thousands of English people with their families for the traditional “seaside holiday”. Its position, close to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Wales makes it an ideal centre for touring, and also to enjoy some of the most spectacular, beautiful and varied scenery in the country. |
| Weymouth is a town in Dorset, England, United Kingdom, situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast. The town is 13 kilometres (8 mi) south of Dorchester and 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of the Isle of Portland. Weymouth is a popular tourist resort, and the town's economy depends on its harbour and the beaches of Weymouth Bay. Weymouth is a gateway town situated half-way along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on the Dorset and east Devon coast, important for its geology and landforms. Weymouth harbour is home to cross-channel ferries, pleasure boats and private yachts, and nearby Portland Harbour is home to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games will be held. |
| Attleborough is a small market town near Norwich. There is a mainline train service to Norwich and Cambridge. |
| Cambridge is one of the loveliest cities in Britain. The University which is one of the oldest in the world, is made up of 31 independently-run colleges. Built on the River Cam, the great beauty of the river scenery combined with the stunning architecture attract many thousands of visitors each year. the city developed 900 years ago due to its position on the trade route between eastern and central England. It became a teaching centre for scholars from nearby monasteries and by the 13th century the University was established. Cambridge today is a major cultural centre with many museums, art galleries, theatres and restaurants. |
| Norwich is considered to be the capital of East Anglia. The Cathedral and Castle dominate the city. They lie within easy reach of each other and close to many of the other historic buildings admired by visitors, making this an interesting place to explore on foot. |
| Aylesbury is positioned near Oxford, with regular buses there. The market town is also near enough to London for school trips. Although mainly residential, the town is due to see some major developments in the coming years such as a 1200 seat theatre. |
| Coventry is a city 150 km northwest of London. It is famous for the promotion of World peace, holding an annual Peace Month and being twinned with the city of Dresden, as a gesture of peace and reconciliation. Its cathedral is one of the newest in the world, built just after World War 2. Within close proximity to Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick and even London make it a good destination to explore the UK. |
| Hemel Hempstead is situated to the north of London, in the county of Hertfordshire. A market town just east of the Chiltern Hills, Hemel Hempstead has greatly expanded since the 1950s but its much older origins are shown by the 18th century houses in the High Street and the Norman parish church with a fine 14th Century timber spire. Today it has a population of approx 80,000 persons. It has excellent transport connections, being close to both M25 and M1 motorways, for ease of access into London and to the rest of the UK. |
| Maidenhead is a Royal Town with very many attractions. One of its great advantages is its easy access. The main routes from London to the west (A4, M4) pass through the town allowing a direct drive into London (only 36 kms) and easy access to Bath, South Wales and the West Country. Windsor is on the other side of the River Thames, and the lovely Chiltern Hills are close by. The Town itself has first-class sports and leisure facilities, and the famous Boulters Lock. |
| Northampton is a large market town in the East Midlands and the fastest growing town in the UK, 108 km to the Northeast of London. It is an ideal base to explore the rest of the UK, being only 1-1.5 hours coach drive away from Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick and Stratford upon Avon and 2 hours from London. Northampton itself has many historic houses to explore including Althorp Hall, the last resting place of Princess Diana. |
| Oxford is probably best known for its University which is made up of 40 independently-run colleges spread throughout the city. The academic life is very evident in the city centre which is alive with students walking or cycling along the cobbled streets lined with ancient buildings. However, there is also a lot of important manufacturing industry in and around Oxford which consquently makes it a busy commercial and residential centre as well as a University centre. |
| Reading is a large town in England, about 65 km west of London and 48 km southeast of Oxford. Reading has a large student population due the 2 universities there. It is also home to one England’s largest music festivals. |
| Stratford upon Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The town is rich in history and culture and one of the most popular tourist attractions in England. Situated on the banks of the River Avon, Stratford is a very picturesque town. The location makes it an ideal base to explore the surrounding areas of Warwick, Oxford and the Cotswolds, all of which are within an hour away. |
| Chester is the County Town of Cheshire and is a gateway to North Wales. Its history stretches back over 2000 years. The City walls, Roman and medieval in origin, form the most complete circuit of any town in Britain (two miles) from which can be seen Chester's many parks and gardens, water meadows by the River Dee and the City's racecourse. The City centre provides excellent shopping - the medieval 'Rows' - two-tier shopping galleries, Cathedral, churches and elegant Georgian squares. |
| Nottingham is the home of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. It is rich in historical attractions including Nottingham Castle, the Tales of Robin Hood, City of Caves and the Lace Market. The compact city centre has undergone extensive regeneration over recent years. |
| Sheffield is a cosmopolitan city in South Yorkshire and is rich in industrial heritage, theatre and wide open spaces and countryside. Whilst in Sheffield, groups can also explore the Peak District, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham. York is also 1 hour away by train. |
| York has often been described as the capital of the north. It is a beautiful small city full of historical interest. Its great Gothic Minster is the largest in Northern Europe and other major attractions include the National Railway Museum and Jorvik Viking Centre. The countryside around York - within an hour's drive in any direction - is some of the most beautiful and striking countryside in Europe. |
| Edinburgh – the capital of Scotland is a beautiful city, it is also a compact city to visit as most of its attractions are in a small area within easy walking distance of each other. The city is dominated by its great fortress, it is the political and financial centre of Scotland and its most visited city. Lying between the south bank of the Firth of Forth and the Lothian Hills, its architecture, setting and heritage are unmatched |
| Stirling is just north of Edinburgh, a town with its own beautiful castle. Both the town and castle are medieval in history. The heart of the ancient town still survives and gives the town its distinctive and historic appearance. Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country. It is well located for visiting other parts of Scotland. The Battle of Bannockburn, which gained Scotland its independence in 1314, was fought just to the southwest. |
| Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a city of contrasts. A castle with 1900 years of history stands alongside a modern shopping centre and one of the world's great civic centres. Hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland reach into the very heart of the city. There are many castles in and around Cardiff - a reminder that for centuries this was a turbulent frontier land. Mountains and beaches are only a short drive away, yet Cardiff offers all the facilities expected of a capital city: excellent shopping, good restaurants, live theatre, opera and concert halls, art galleries and museums. |
| Swansea – is Wales second city and is a lively and vibrant maritime city. A short drive from the city of Swansea is the Victorian resort of Mumbles. Mumbles is known as the “Gateway to Gower” – the Gower Peninsula – an area of stunning coastal countryside. The Gower Peninsula was Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Gower Peninsula offers a diverse range of landscapes from its award winning beaches and dramatic cliffs to its picturesque villages and rolling countryside, hills, valleys, commons, woodland, dunes and marshes. |
| Dublin, the capital of the republic of Ireland has a population of just over 1 million. It is a vibrant city with many attractions within the city including Trinity College & the Book of Kells. Dublin has now become one of Europe’s most well known cities and is renowned for its beauty, friendliness, culture and fun. There is also spectacular countryside within a few hours drive of the city. |
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