About Us
Family travel, done differently.
A community of families opening up their homes, sharing local knowledge, and helping each other travel well.
Global Touristech Startup TIS Innovation Summit
ASTA Global Travel Entrepreneur of the Year
Hi, I'm Susie, Founder of Family Home Swaps – built by parents, for parents. It's great to have you here. Welcome to our trusted community.
“For me, some of the best family trips are the ones where you get a feel for everyday life somewhere new.”
That's why recommendations from someone who actually lives there are often far more valuable than a generic travel guide.
The ‘Families Will Love’ section is where host families share their insider guide to the local area, the places they genuinely enjoy as a family and would recommend to other parents and children visiting.
Family Home Swaps was created for parents who love travel and want to experience places in a more authentic way.
At its heart, it's about helping families holiday like a local, discovering the places, experiences and hidden gems that make a destination special.
Origin Story
Where the idea came from.
Home swapping isn't new to me. Some of my favourite childhood holidays were home exchanges.
One that has always stayed with me was a half term trip in 1984. We swapped homes with a family friend in Reading and used it as our base for exploring London.
Every morning we'd head into the city on the train and every evening return to this family home that, for a short while at least, felt like ours.
I remember sitting at the front of the old Routemaster buses in Central London and thinking it was brilliant.
Throwback to London, 1984 – my favourite home exchange holiday.
“As a child, there's something strangely exciting about playing with things that aren't yours.”
I also remember the family's budgie, which had to be let out each day for a fly around the lounge. Letting it out was fun. Catching it again was less fun.
One of my sisters became very attached to a Care Bear. Another loved a glow in the dark glo-worm cuddly toy.
Those are the things I remember – the ordinary family life, somewhere different.
“And I think that's why the idea has stuck with me.”
The award winning global family travel community
Why Family Home Swaps exists.
Years later, after creating Our Tribe Travels, I spent a lot of time talking to families about travel.
What became clear quite quickly was that parents wanted more than inspiration.
They wanted trusted recommendations, family-friendly places to stay, and ways to make the travel budget go further.
Not everyone wants a hotel. Sometimes what you really want is space, flexibility, and somewhere that feels a bit more relaxed when travelling with children.
Family Home Swaps grew naturally from that. A way for families to connect directly, swap homes, and experience somewhere through the eyes of another family.
What's Different
Built for real families.
There are plenty of home exchange sites. But Family Home Swaps has been built specifically for families; kid friendly homes, local tips from parents, and a solid, trusted community.
You do not need a perfect house. No one is expecting spotless interiors or a show home. This is about real homes, honest listings, and shared trust.
The local tips that make all the difference
- The cafe with the play corner.
- The quieter beach.
- The brilliant soft play for a rainy afternoon.
- The restaurant where no one minds if your toddler is being loud.
Trust & Confidence
Peace of mind, built in.
£3M
Guarantee per booking
Home swapping relies on people feeling comfortable enough to open up their homes, so trust is a huge part of what we do.
That's why every booking includes guest verification through our partner Truvi, along with a £3 million guarantee.
It's there to help everyone swap with confidence and focus on the exciting part: planning the trip.
You're very welcome here.
Family Home Swaps is still growing, which is part of what makes it exciting. A genuine community of families who love travel, sharing recommendations, and helping each other create fantastic memories.
Join Us