This text provides you with all the knowledge it’s essential change into a home sitter within the UK. There are a ton of UK listings simply ready for functions, and inside this put up, I’ll define right here precisely the place to seek out them and find out how to safe them!

I’ve years of expertise home sitting within the UK and past. I’m initially from England and constructed up my home sitting profile within the UK earlier than embarking on a digital nomad life-style. I exploit home sitting web sites virtually completely for lodging. It saves a fortune and expands my touring expertise on the entire.

For me, the UK will at all times be my house base, and home sitting has allowed me to discover extra of my very own stunning nation. There are such a lot of unbelievable locations to go to, and the UK is a spot with a excessive demand for home sitters. I’ve stayed in areas that won’t have ever entered my radar had it not been for home sitting alternatives.

From the Highlands of Scotland to the seashores of Cornwall, let’s get you on the street to changing into a home sitter within the UK.

How you can Turn into a Home Sitter within the UK

There are some glorious web sites accessible for home and pet sitting within the UK. All of them include totally different options, value tags, and membership choices. Discovering the precise one for you is a vital first step and I’ve outlined all the data you want right here;

1. Trusted Housesitters

Trusted Housesitters has been my go-to web site since changing into a home sitter virtually 5 years in the past. The net and app-based platform is by far the most well-liked home sitting web site accessible. With a fast scan of the app, I can see virtually 7,000 listings presently accepting functions for home sitters – virtually 2,000 of those are within the UK.

Based mostly on these numbers alone Trusted Housesitters must be a prime consideration when considering changing into a home sitter within the UK. The app and web site are simple to make use of with some nice options that make the entire course of clean and safe. One thing I really like about this web site is that in case you can’t see the precise sit for you right away, it can save you your standards and obtain alerts when an identical possibility turns into accessible.

Being the highest web site on the market means Trusted Housesitters can also be the most costly. However priced at $260/yr it’s the identical as a few nights in a modest resort. I like to recommend the premium membership which incorporates, amongst different advantages, cancellation insurance coverage and enhanced customer support. Nevertheless, the fundamental membership at $129/yr could also be a extra reasonably priced start line.

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2. Thoughts My Home

Having multiple home sitting web site in your arsenal is a superb concept. And whereas Trusted Housesitters must be the go-to, Thoughts My Home is a superb contender for that second spot. They’ve a pleasant and simple platform, loads of listings, and a low yearly membership value of simply $29.

Thoughts My Home has been round since 2005, making it one of many oldest home sitting web sites available on the market. With expertise comes loads of helpful options just like the stats web page which reveals precisely the place on the earth hosts are in search of sitters. The corporate house owners personally oversee the wonderful customer support division.

Owners put up their listings free of charge which implies there are at all times many posts accessible. Over 40 individuals within the UK have been in search of sitters on the time of writing this text. I like Thoughts My Home rather a lot, and with such a low annual payment it’s a terrific web site to contemplate.

3. Nomador

An necessary level to recollect is that hosts typically solely checklist their houses on one web site. Subsequently, the right home sit for you might be posted elsewhere. Nomador is one other very fashionable home sitting web site with a robust lean in the direction of Europe. They’ve a whole bunch of lively customers within the UK.

The web site could be very simple to make use of with many options akin to these of Trusted Housesitters. Looking with exact standards is straightforward to do and saving your searches is once more a pleasant function to have. Though Nomador lacks an app, the variety of listings makes them a very fashionable possibility for locating UK home sits.

Nomador has 3 membership choices with quite a lot of totally different advantages the upper up you go. Their top-tier membership is simply $190/yr. If you wish to get the complete Nomador expertise with out the annual outlay, additionally they provide a 3-month ‘Discovery’ possibility. At $85 it is a nice method to get began with no vital monetary price.

4. Workaway

An alternative choice for locating home sitting jobs within the UK is Workaway, one in every of my favourite touring websites. I’ve met so many great individuals utilizing this web site throughout my years on the street. It’s primarily for locating volunteer placements in change for lodging and meals, however home sitting is a key search focus.

I’ve at all times discovered Workaway to have a pleasant and community-orientated vibe. Hosts with lively profiles are at all times fast to reply whether or not it’s a sure or no to your utility. I’ve made some nice lifelong pals utilizing Workaway.

Workway has a low value of simply $50 a yr or $30pp when a pair joins, so it’s one other reasonably priced possibility. The additional advantage of an app makes monitoring and making use of for the precise listings a straightforward and easy course of. With a whole bunch of listings presently accessible, it shouldn’t be neglected as a home sitting useful resource.

5. Housesitters UK

An amazing web site for locating UK home sits is Housesitters UK. It’s the largest home and pet sitting platform that offers completely with the UK. 1000’s of individuals have put their belief in Housesitters UK, giving them a 5-star Feefo customer support ranking.

Very like Thoughts My Home, owners checklist their properties free of charge which at all times ensures a terrific choice of accessible houses to use for. Home sitters can be part of for the low annual payment of simply $37 which makes it an extremely reasonably priced service.

With over 700 lively listings presently accepting functions, Housesitters UK is a critical contender because the UK’s go-to home sitting possibility.

Private Expertise Housesitting within the UK

I used to be born and raised within the UK and regardless of leaving just a few years in the past it’ll at all times be house. It’s the place I constructed my profile as a home sitter while planning my long-term journey journey, and it’s someplace I proceed to discover as a part of my new digital nomad life-style.

My first 3 home sits have been all primarily based round my house in Cambridgeshire, while I nonetheless lived within the county. The shut proximity of them to my house and workplace meant I used to be capable of perform the sits, and nonetheless go to work as regular while having fun with the sensation of being away. All of the whereas, I used to be banking constructive critiques for my profile. I extremely advocate contemplating just a few native listings to get your critiques up earlier than you start making use of for London penthouses.

My experiences of home sitting within the UK have all been tremendous constructive. Tub was a terrific location to pet sit. I took care of a shocking house and a principally outside Maine Coon cat referred to as Leia. The house was located a brief stroll from town middle and had beautiful metropolis views from the backyard terrace. It was a pleasure to spend a month there.

Though I’ve visited London many occasions, home sitting there gave me a contemporary perspective of the UK’s capital. Taking care of 4 small canine meant exploring parks and recreation areas that I might by no means have in any other case come throughout. With the principle points of interest just some tube stops away, it was good to really feel each at house and on trip on the similar time.

Finest Areas to Home Sit within the UK

The UK encompasses England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Eire, so there are such a lot of great locations to discover. I lived there for over 30 years and though the UK is tiny in comparison with locations just like the US, I barely scratched the floor. Home sitting has actually opened up alternatives for me to discover additional afield. Listed below are just a few of my favourite UK locations to seek out home sits.

1. London

Effectively the place else to begin however the nation’s capital, London? One of many world’s biggest cities and a spot everybody ought to go to at a while throughout their lives. I used to be fortunate sufficient to reside an hour away for many of my life and have loved numerous journeys there.

It’s additionally the UK’s greatest metropolis with round 9 million inhabitants. This implies there’s at all times rather a lot happening and many alternative areas to contemplate. A few of my favourite areas are Camden, Covent Backyard, and Leicester Sq.. These are all widespread vacationer spots and make for excellent for day journeys, evenings out, and for ticking off numerous London’s iconic landmarks.

Any home sit within the broader London space will undoubtedly have glorious connectivity by way of the London Underground. The Tube is dependable, low cost, and is a really environment friendly method of traversing town. London is inside simple attain of each the south and east coasts of England, so it’s a really perfect base for exploring additional afield.

Location: London is positioned within the south of England, UK. It’s round 50 (80 km) miles from the southern coast and 40 miles (64 km) to the east coast. It’s one in every of England’s most linked cities with a number of worldwide airports, prepare stations, and bus terminals.

2. Cambridge

Even nearer to house for me, Cambridge was at all times on my doorstep. It’s one other of the good UK cities to contemplate for home sitting alternatives. It was within the county of Cambridgeshire the place I racked up my first 4 home sits, so I can affirm there are ample alternatives accessible across the space.

Cambridge is a phenomenal metropolis stuffed with tradition and beautiful structure, and provides an exquisite restaurant and bar scene. It’s house to the third oldest college in steady operation on the earth. The distinguished College of Cambridge is an iconic establishment famend around the globe. Its affect and impression may be seen and felt all through town.

There are additionally many nice cities and cities inside simple attain of Cambridge; it’s one other well-located and well-connected UK location. A home sit even remotely shut by would permit for just a few nice day journeys into Cambridge. Remember to try my earlier article detailing the right 2-day itinerary for Cambridge.

Location: Cambridge is positioned towards the southeastern facet of England, UK, and is nicely linked to a lot of the UK by Cambridge Prepare Station. Stansted Worldwide Airport is underneath an hour away and Central London may be reached in round 45 minutes to 1 hour by way of prepare.

3. Tub

I cherished my time home sitting in Tub. I’d solely ever visited for the day so after I noticed an inventory for a 2-month keep, I jumped on the alternative. The entire metropolis is a Unesco World Heritage Web site and is without doubt one of the most stunning and historic cities within the UK.

Named for the well-known 2,000-year-old Roman Baths on which it was initially constructed, Tub is a middle of historic significance, and cultural significance, and a hub for international tourism. Tub Abbey, the Pulteney Bridge, and The Circus are just some of the architectural feats that I bought to get pleasure from each day whereas staying in Tub.

With two giant universities primarily based within the metropolis, you may as well make certain of a energetic and vibrant social scene. I’ve written extensively on my keep on this metropolis so you’ll want to try my earlier articles together with the 15 Finest Pubs in Tub. It’s a unbelievable place to safe a home sit.

Location: Tub is positioned on the southwest facet of England, UK. Cardiff, the capital metropolis of Wales is 45 miles (72 km) away. London is 115 miles (185 km) and common direct trains take round 90 minutes to get to the capital.

4. Edinburgh

A metropolis that has been on my radar for a few years is Edinburgh. Sadly, I’m but to make the journey north however have solely ever heard nice issues about Scotland’s capital metropolis. It’s a spot that’s steeped in historical past and tradition, recognized for its beautiful structure, vibrant festivals, and wealthy heritage.

Edinburgh is house to quite a few historic landmarks, together with Edinburgh Fortress, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of King Charles III. The Royal Mile is a historic avenue that runs by the guts of the Previous City connecting Edinburgh Fortress to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is lined with unbelievable retailers and pubs.

Edinburgh is maybe most well-known for its festivals, with the Edinburgh Competition Fringe being the world’s largest arts pageant. The town comes alive with performers, artists, and guests from across the globe throughout the pageant season. I do know that numerous locals depart throughout pageant season, maybe the perfect time to safe some free home sitting lodging?

Location: Edinburgh is positioned in Scotland which is probably the most northern nation inside the UK. It’s nicely linked with a lot of the UK by way of Waverly Prepare Station and Edinburgh Worldwide Airport. London is over 400 miles (643 km) south and takes round 8 hours to drive or 5 hours by way of prepare.

5. Cornwall

The county of Cornwall encompasses England’s most southwestern area. It’s one other space that continues to be one in every of my saved searches on Trusted Housesitters. I’m simply patiently ready for the precise sit on the proper time to return alongside!

Cornwall, notably Newquay, Truro, and St Austell, attracts vacationers with its breathtaking coastlines, sandy seashores, and delicate UK local weather. The world-famous Cornish Pasty is a pleasant native deal with.

Being such a well-liked vacationer spot, for abroad guests and UK residents alike, lodging may be very costly in Cornwall. That is very true throughout the late spring and summer season seasons. However, very similar to with Edinburgh throughout Fringe, numerous locals seize this chance to get out of city, and plenty of home sitting alternatives await.

Location: Cornwall is a county positioned within the southwestern area of England, UK. The coastal city of Newquay is round 5 hours from London by way of each automotive and prepare. There are a number of every day flights connecting it to London which take round an hour.

Is the UK Secure?

The UK is taken into account a secure place to go to. The nation has a well-established authorized system, a robust police presence, and customarily low ranges of violent crime. Vacationer locations and main cities usually have sturdy safety measures in place to make sure the security of tourists.

Nevertheless, like all vacation spot, the security of particular areas inside the UK can differ. Whereas the most important cities are typically secure, guests ought to train warning in sure neighborhoods, notably throughout the night. Petty crimes, equivalent to pickpocketing and bag snatching, can happen in crowded vacationer areas. It’s advisable for vacationers to remain vigilant and apply common sense precautions.

General, with correct consciousness and mindfulness, the United Kingdom is mostly thought of a secure and welcoming vacation spot for vacationers from around the globe.

Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter within the UK

There are just a few execs and cons potential home sitters ought to concentrate on earlier than embarking on an project within the UK. I’ve outlined my prime ones for you right here;

Professionals of Home Sitting within the UK

• Cultural Richness: The UK provides entry to many numerous and wealthy cultural scenes. Historic landmarks, museums, theaters, and fabulous structure are to be discovered all throughout the nation.
• Healthcare System: The Nationwide Well being Service (NHS) gives UK residents with free complete healthcare companies. In case you are a resident of the EU, you may additionally be entitled to free emergency healthcare while within the UK.
• Price Financial savings: Home sitting means that you can discover lodging with out the large expense of inns or condominium leases.
• Public Transportation: Environment friendly and well-connected public transportation methods, together with buses, trains, and the London Underground, make commuting and touring inside the nation handy.
• Multicultural Society: The UK’s multicultural society is predominantly a welcoming atmosphere for people from totally different backgrounds and cultures.
• Social Scene: Most UK cities provide a vibrant social scene with loads of pubs, eating places, and cultural occasions, offering loads of alternatives for leisure and socializing.
• International Connectivity: As a hub for worldwide journey and enterprise, being within the UK will present quick access to international locations and a world of onward alternatives. Funds airways usually have low cost offers for European locations.
• Visa: In contrast to a lot of the world which restricts guests to a 30-90 day go to, the UK welcomes most guests for a most of 6 months on a vacationer visa. This permits for extra exploring and opens up alternatives for longer home sits.
• Nice Meals – Any rumors you’ve heard about British meals are improper! Conventional fish and chips, Sunday roast dinners, and Scottish haggis are style sensations that should be tried.

Cons of Home Sitting within the UK

• Price of Residing: Some areas within the UK, notably main cities like London, have a considerably increased price of residing in comparison with different locations I’ve visited. Guests might want to funds nicely for gasoline, transportation, and every day bills.
• Climate Variability: The UK is understood for its unpredictable climate, with frequent rain and overcast skies, which could not be interesting to people preferring extra secure climates. As a lifelong resident, I can affirm the rumors are true – the climate isn’t nice.
• Price of Healthcare: Regardless of the advantages of a free NHS for residents and a few guests, many guests is not going to qualify free of charge healthcare. Remember to have enough insurance coverage in place to cowl any medical incidences or danger of being hit with an enormous invoice.
• No Entry to Hosts Automobile – In contrast to many different nations the place the automotive is insured for anybody to drive, the UK insures particular person drivers. This may imply that many hosts are unlikely to go away a automotive for home sitters to make use of. It’s potential so as to add individuals to insurance coverage insurance policies however this may be an costly and arduous job the hosts might not want to bear.
• Crowded City Areas: City facilities, particularly in London, may be very densely populated, resulting in heavy visitors congestion, crowded public transportation, and really busy public areas.
• Price of Transport: Though the UK has a well-connected and environment friendly transportation system, trains can usually be very costly. Strikes are additionally fairly frequent and might happen with minimal discover to a prepare you will have booked.
• Car Fees: Many main cities now have costs for issues like tolls, low-emission zones, and congestion costs. London now even has an ultra-low emission zone. Not having a automotive, particularly in London may very well be a constructive as making an attempt to keep away from a nice can typically be trickier than it appears to be like.

How you can Begin Home Sitting within the UK: FAQs

Listed below are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on home sitting within the UK:

In Conclusion

Having lived within the UK for many of my life, it’s been a pleasure to write down about it for you right here. It’s jogged my memory of the various great components the UK has to supply that after have been available on my doorstep. I by no means took them without any consideration nevertheless it’s maybe solely as soon as leaving the UK that I’ve begun to understand all of the points of house that I miss.

It’s a terrific location to discover a home sitting posting. Not solely as a result of actually hundreds of persons are presently accepting functions, however due to the true breadth of tradition and pleasure I personally have skilled while home sitting in numerous cities across the UK.

Home sitting was a game-changer for my life and goals of touring extensively. I want you luck in changing into a home sitter your self and touchdown some superb UK home sits within the close to future.