Hospitality Jobs in England

For such a small country, England has a lot of densely packed historical cities to explore. The popularity of football, great British authors, and the Celtic history of the islands all draw visitors who need your hospitality expertise. Choose any of these cities to find an amazing work experience.

London. As the largest city in the country and one of the most multicultural, you’ll love getting to visit different neighborhoods; the city is a bit like a food court for the world’s cuisine, all in the same city. Hospitality jobs in London are plentiful, and international travellers can find job placements ahead of time through programs that package together the job search process with finding an apartment and even some language skills if your English is not perfect.

York. Especially if you have experience in the Hospitality industry, York might be the best place to find a hospitality job in England. While you learn more of the process of running and perhaps eventually managing a hotel, you can also explore York’s prodigious city walls, cathedrals, and ancient castles. With less of the intensity of London but just as much charm, York provides a wonderful backdrop to your continued improvement as you pursue the hospitality career field.

Cost of Living + Expected Salary. Cost of living can be fairly high in England, with pay rates usually more modest in England. This means that you may want to be frugal in your choices of living spaces and you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the public transportation options available to you as a person with a hospitality job in England. While the tourist districts of English cities are sure to have some inflated prices, you’ll find that shopping at neighborhood grocery stores and getting what you need to live is completely possible. Another benefit is that England’s public health system is a good source of security in the case of medical emergency.

Accommodations. Finding roommates while you are working a hospitality job in England is a great idea for two reasons: one, it helps you afford the high rent costs, and two, it offers you a whole group of new friends with whom to enjoy the city. For those of you who would like your own place, it is also completely possible to get a small flat to yourself; this may be easier in the suburbs or outlying neighborhoods than in the centers of cities, but checking all your options, especially those that are convenient to public transportation, is a great way to both stay on budget and make sure you have the comforts of home. 

Visas. It is important to look into work visas and work-study visas from your country to England before taking a post in a hospitality job. While tourist visas often last up to 6 months in England, it is important to ensure you have the correct kind of visa for the kind of hospitality work you will be doing; work with your program and your British consulate to make sure you have the right paperwork to be safe and legal.

Safety. Staying safe in England is, like many places, a matter of being alert. In general, British cities are very safe, but taking precautions like being aware of one’s surroundings, carrying a cell phone when walking alone in a quiet area, and using a zippered purse all can give you peace of mind. Truly, though, there is no cause for alarm: crime rates have been dropping for over 10 years in England, reaching record lows in the past few years.

Hospitality jobs serve an important purpose: when tired travellers arrive in their lodgings, you are often the first one to greet them and the ones that ensure that their rooms are ready and clean. This may seem like humble work, but it is caring work, in that doing a good job makes someone else’s life better. If you find work in a bed and breakfast or other smaller hospitality establishment, you may even find yourself getting to know frequent travellers and making friends through the work you do.

While doing this, consider the history in England and how the hundreds of years have impacted work here. Even if you are more of an outdoors person, consider stopping by a few museums like the Churchhill Museum (located underground in a bunker!) or the British Museum, where you can see the Rosetta Stone itself. These museums peel back the current modern style of London - which you’ll see a lot while working in a hotel - and give you a glimpse of the many kinds of lives that were lived here before. As a bonus, knowing first-hand what is best in the museums allows you to play concierge quite well with travellers at your job!

While the hospitality industry offers plentiful opportunities, there are also plenty of other paths to take while visiting in England. Your journey doesn’t have to stop when you get to London or York, but can instead continue on to some of the other major metropolises or smaller towns and villages. 

Want to stay for a spot of tea in England? Check out other jobs abroad in England!