Accoмmodation in great Britain

Going abroad is very exiting. But it is very expensive, too. Staying at a hotel adds more expense to your holiday or business trip, and many people prefer other kinds of accommodation.

Guesthouses, for example, are smaller and cheaper than hotels. In a guesthouse you will find bedrooms, a dining room for meals, a living room that guests can use. Inns are pubs with accommodation and meals. Another cheap and friendly type of accommodation is “B&B”, which means “Bed and breakfast”. It is a private house or a farm which takes guests. “B&B” gives you the opportunity to meet British people at home, and it is usually smaller than a guesthouse. Lots of people prefer staying with a family, because it is less expensive than other types of accommodation and it is a good opportunity to get to know British people. Many families have paying guests because they like meeting people from foreign countries. There are companies who organise “paying guest accommodation”. When people come to Britain for language and other courses, staying with a family is organised by their school.

Self-catering is a good idea for people who want to be free to organise everything when and how you want it. You can stay in all kinds of accommodation, from caravans to flats or castles. You look after yourself if you choose self-catering.

A hostel is a place to stay, often for groups of people, for example students. Rooms and facilities in a hostel are usually shared. Have you ever heard of the Youth Hostels Association? It has more than 400 hostels. They are cheap, friendly, and many of them are located in lovely countryside. You are supposed to help with the housework and prepare your own meals in Youth Hostels.

The Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian Associations have cheap accommodation: hostels, hotels, flats. They also organise sightseeing, English lessons and special interest holidays.

It is possible to stay at many universities and colleges during the university holidays.