Can anybody help us. We are a family who want to return to the UK and we are looking to work in lieu for cheaper accomodation or in lieu of rent. Or at the very least does anybody wish to be a bit of a penpal and share some first hand info that we are desperately trying to sort out before we make the trip.

Why not try St Austell Brewery and see if they need any pub managers or even the National Trust or English Heritage.
They all have web pages and should come up if you try an internet search.
Best wishes,
Sarah.