Finding seasonal live-in jobs in the UK is an excellent way to fund your travels while experiencing the local culture and meeting new people. I worked a season with live-in accommodation in the Scottish Islands in 2024 and in Cornwall in 2025, so I know a thing or two about this kind of work. This expanded guide will cover everything you need to know about finding these opportunities, including specific websites, Facebook groups, and the regions where you will likely find such work. I’ll also outline the benefits and downsides of this type of work and provide a picture of what to expect.
Types of Work
Many people consider farm work or fruit picking when considering seasonal work, but many more opportunities are available in the UK. These can range from hospitality and tourism to agriculture and festivals. Common types of seasonal live-in jobs in the UK include:
- Hospitality Jobs: Waitstaff, bartenders, chefs, housekeepers, and receptionists in hotels, resorts, and pubs.
- Tourism Jobs: Tour guides, activity leaders, and customer service roles at tourist attractions.
- Agricultural Work: Picking fruits and vegetables, general farm work, and working in nurseries.
- Festivals and Events: Temporary work during festivals, concerts, and sports events.
Benefits of Seasonal Work in the UK
Money: Seasonal work often comes with competitive wages, especially during peak times. In addition, having accommodation provided means you can save more of what you earn. Many seasonal industries also include tips, commissions from sales or bonuses, which can be a great extra savings boost.
Experience: Living and working in different parts of the UK allows you to experience local culture and meet new people. You can use your job location as a base for exploring and travelling to nearby places on weekends.
Accommodation: Many seasonal jobs offer accommodation as part of the package, saving you the hassle of finding a place to live. This could be free accommodation or often accommodation for a small weekly fee (usually very affordable, meaning you’re still able to save a lot of money). This can range from shared dormitories to private rooms. Ensure you know what’s included and what facilities are available.
Meals and Perks: Some jobs include meals or offer discounted food and drink. Others may offer perks like free use of facilities or discounts on services.
Flexibility: These jobs are often temporary, allowing you to move on and explore different parts of the UK or Europe after your contract ends. As you’re only there for a set amount of time, employers are generally pretty casual and expect less from you in terms of taking on extra responsibilities for career progression.
Community: Working in a close-knit team often forges strong friendships as you live and work together. Many people form fast friendships or even relationships that last longer than the season.
Downsides of Seasonal Work in the UK
Long Hours: Seasonal jobs can be demanding, with long hours during peak periods. Often, you may not get many consecutive days off, and employers won’t allow any holidays or leave to be requested through the busy season.
Remote Locations: Some jobs are in remote or rural areas, which might be isolating if you prefer a more urban environment. Many seasonal jobs may only be suitable for those with a car, as staff accommodation may be within driving distance from your place of work. Even if you can get to work without a car, you should consider what your quality of experience will be like outside of work, particularly if you’re in an isolated area with little public transport.
Temporary Nature: The temporary nature of these jobs means employers tend to care less about staff than in a regular job or career, where you’re likely to be staying more than a few months. This could look like employers not bothering to get to know employees and giving them only basic tasks.
Varied Working Conditions: Conditions can vary greatly depending on the employer and location. Seasonal live-in jobs can look completely different depending on the industry, location and employer.
Know the Terms: Understand the terms of your employment, including hours, wages, and any additional benefits. Always ensure you fully understand what you’re getting into before accepting a job and moving on-site!
Where to Find Seasonal Live-In Work
Finding the right seasonal live-in job in the UK requires knowing where to look. Here are some of the best resources:
Websites:
- Season Workers: This website specializes in seasonal jobs across the UK and Europe. It includes listings for ski resorts, summer camps, holiday parks, and more.
- Workaway: A platform connecting travellers with hosts offering work exchanges, often including accommodation and meals. Jobs range from farming to hostel work.
- Indeed: A general job search engine that lists seasonal work. Use specific search terms like “seasonal live-in” to find relevant listings.
- Gumtree: Another general job search site that can be useful for finding temporary and seasonal positions.
Facebook Groups:
On Facebook Groups, you can either respond to job advertisements you like and apply directly with the employer or post yourself and your CV, and employers will contact you to discuss work. Here are a few Facebook Groups where you can find seasonal live-in jobs in the UK:
- Seasonal Jobs in the UK
- Backpacker Jobs in the UK
- Farm Jobs UK
- UK Holiday Park Jobs
- Jobs in Windermere and Lake District
- Volunteer Work | Hostel Jobs | Hospitality Roles | Temp Jobs | Global
- Jobs with Live in Accommodation UK
- Seasonal Jobs Scottish Islands
Apply directly on hotel websites
Many larger hotel chains will have a “jobs” or “careers” page where they advertise positions across all their locations. Subscribing to job alerts for larger hotels can be a great way of finding a seasonal live-in job. Below are a few of the largest hotel chains that offer live-in work:
- IHG (across the UK)
- Crieff Hydro (across Scotland)
- Bespoke Hotels (across the UK)
- YHA (across the UK)
- Tresco (Isles of Scilly, Cornwall)
- Hostelling Scotland (across Scotland)
Regions for Seasonal Live-In Work
Tourism and Hospitality:
- The Lake District: Popular for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Hospitality jobs are abundant in the summer months.
- Cornwall: Known for its beautiful beaches and tourist attractions, with many opportunities in hospitality and tourism.
- Scottish Highlands: Offers jobs in remote lodges, hotels, and tourist attractions.
- Jersey and Guernsey Islands: Known for their beaches and sunnier weather than the UK.
Agriculture:
- Kent: Known as the “Garden of England,” it has numerous fruit-picking jobs, especially during the summer and autumn.
- Herefordshire: Another major region for fruit picking, particularly apples and strawberries.
- Lincolnshire: Offers a variety of farm work, including vegetable picking and general farmhand roles.
Tips for Securing Seasonal Live-In Work
Know Your Seasons: Different types of seasonal work peak at different times of the year. For example, summer is a busy time for tourism and hospitality, while agriculture peaks in the spring and autumn.
Research Regions and Employers: Certain regions are known for specific types of seasonal work. For example, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands are popular for tourism jobs, while Kent and Herefordshire are known for fruit picking.
Job Boards and Agencies: To find listings, use job boards like Indeed and Gumtree and specialised websites like Season Workers and Workaway. Recruitment agencies can also be a good resource.
Prepare Your CV: Tailor your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills. Mention any previous seasonal work, customer service experience, or any skills that might be relevant to the job.
Apply Early: Start applying a few months before the season begins. Employers often hire in advance to ensure they have enough staff for the busy period.
Put Yourself Out There: If you’re using Facebook Groups to find jobs, try posting yourself, instead of just applying to jobs. Post a professional-looking photo of yourself (can be a nice travel photo) with a short spiel about your experience and what you’re looking for. Employers will reach out to you directly if they think you’re a good fit. I’ve had the most success with this method!
Stand Out in the Crowd
Strong CV and Cover Letter: Tailor your CV to highlight relevant experience. Write a cover letter specific to each job, explaining why you’re interested and what makes you a good fit.
Relevant Experience: If you have experience in the type of work you’re applying for, emphasise this. For example, mention specific roles and responsibilities if you’ve worked in hospitality.
Flexibility and Availability: Indicate your willingness to work long hours and your availability throughout the season. This can make you a more attractive candidate.
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