Settling in · Gloucestershire
Landing in Gloucestershire? Start here.
The first fortnight in Gloucestershire, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
80 places in Gloucestershire worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
The Salvation Army - Gloucester
Christian, Salvation army
150 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1QU
About 3 km away
Highbury Church
Christian, United reformed
Priory Terrace, Cheltenham, GL52 6DS
About 11 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
27 Acre Street, Stroud, GL5 1DR
About 12 km away
Greek Orthodox Church of St John Chrysostom
Christian, Greek orthodox
Dog Lane, Gloucester, GL3 4UD
About 5 km away
Grace Church Cheltenham
Christian, Evangelical
Lansdown Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6QF
About 8 km away
St Stephen's Church
Christian, Anglican
Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AA
About 21 km away
St John's Church
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Su 09:00-11:00
St John’s Square
About 21 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cheltenham
About 9 km away
SPRINGBANK COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE, Springbank Way, Cheltenham, GL51 0LG
Worship services: Tue 5:45pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 41 km away
Manor Hall, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2TG
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Orient-Asia
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Th,Sa 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Su 10:00-18:30
294 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HQ
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Curry Delight
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Sa,Su 16:30-23:00; Fr 16:30-24:00
72 Tennyson Road, Cheltenham, GL51 7DF
About 8 km away
Giggling Squid
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 12:00-21:30
6-7 Montpellier Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1SX
About 9 km away
The Mahal
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 18:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 18:00-22:30; Su off
Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 1TY
About 10 km away
Spice Exchange
Indian, pakistani. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Th 18:00-00:00; Fr,Sa 17:30-00:00
Clarence Parade, Cheltenham, GL50 3PA
About 10 km away
Nepalese Chef
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:30,17:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
30 Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3NX
About 10 km away
Dosa Station
Indian, south indian, sri lankan. restaurant
9 Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JL
About 10 km away
Mowgli Street Food
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-21:00; Sa 12:30-22:30; Su 11:30-21:00
Saint Margaret's Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4FA
About 10 km away
Kashmir
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 17:30-23:30; Fr,Sa 17:30-00:00
1 Albion Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2LH
About 10 km away
Eurasia
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Sa,Su 12:00-14:00,17:30-23:30; Fr 17:30-23:30
18 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham, GL52 6AA
About 11 km away
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 12:00-22:30
17 High Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5AL
About 16 km away
Turquaz Kebab & Grill
Pizza, kebab, burger, chicken. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 16:00-23:30; Fr-Sa 16:00-24:30
43 High Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5BH
About 16 km away
Sports and clubs
Charlton Kings Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Greenway Lane, Cheltenham, GL52 6LF
About 12 km away
Brockworth Sports Centre
Soccer, basketball, swimming, netball. Sports centre
GL3 4QF
About 4 km away
Cinderford Town Football Club
Soccer. Sport club
Edge Hills Road, Cinderford, GL14 2QH
About 20 km away
Cotswold Leisure
Swimming, squash, badminton, gym. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-20:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 08:00-21:00
Tetbury Road, Cirencester, GL7 1US
About 22 km away
Cinderford Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sport club
Dockham Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AQ
About 20 km away
Cheltenham Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Princes Street, Cheltenham, GL52 6BE
About 11 km away
University of Gloucestershire Sports Arena
Basketball, netball, multi. Sports centre
Estcourt Close, Gloucester, GL1 3LP
About 4 km away
Freedom Leisure Newent
Fitness, swimming, soccer, exercise. Sports centre
Watery Lane, Newent, GL18 1PX
About 17 km away
Gloucester All Blues Rugby Football Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Castle Meads Way, Gloucester, GL1 2FA
About 5 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Boulders
Sports centre. Hours: Mo, We 09:00-22:00; Tu, Th-Fr 13:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-18:00
Kingsditch Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 9FD
About 10 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Westbury-on-Severn Parish Hall
Community centre
Rodley Road, Forest of Dean, GL14 1PF
About 14 km away
Wheatpieces Community Centre
Community centre
Columbine Road, Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP
About 15 km away
Arkell Community Centre
Community centre
Nympsfield Road, Stroud, GL6 0ET
About 17 km away
Leaf & Ground - Meeting Room
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00; PH open; Dec 25-26 off
Dursley Road, Stroud, GL11 6PP
About 21 km away
The Bothy
Community centre
12 Ashcroft Road, Cirencester, GL7 1QX
About 22 km away
Bisley WI Village Hall
Community centre. Hours: "Open for booked users only"
Manor Street, Stroud, GL6 7AX
About 11 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Mehmet's Turkish Barber
Hairdresser
Brewery Court, Cirencester, GL7 1JL
About 22 km away
Antalya Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-16:00
57 Cricklade Street, Cirencester, GL7 1HY
About 22 km away
Barbers and salons
Barber 'n Bar
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 12:00-22:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 10:00-16:00
51A Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2NE
About 11 km away
Ben Ryan Hair
Hairdresser
8 Prestbury Road, Cheltenham, GL52 2PW
About 11 km away
Rogues and Scholars
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 08:30-14:00; Tu 08:30-18:00; We off; Th 08:30-19:00; Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 07:30-12:00; Su off
Court Road, Gloucester, GL3 4EL
About 3 km away
Rage Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:30-18:00; We-Fr 09:30-20:00; Sa 08:30-16:00
6 High Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5AH
About 16 km away
Claire Frances Hair Design
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu 08:30-17:30; We 08:30-17:00; Th 08:30-19:30; Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 08:00-13:00; Su off
Old Market, Stroud, GL6 0DB
About 17 km away
Talking Heads
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-14:00; Mo,Su off
Tennyson Road, Cheltenham, GL51 7DF
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Gloucester Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th 09:00-19:00; We, Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:00
Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HT
About 3 km away
Gloucester Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Northgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1SQ
About 4 km away
Minchinhampton Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
School Road, Stroud, GL6 9BP
About 16 km away
Tuffley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Windsor Drive, Gloucester, GL4 0RT
About 5 km away
Nailsworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Tu,Th,Sa 10:00-13:00; Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Su off
Old Market, Stroud, GL6 0DU
About 17 km away
Hesters Way Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-17:00; Tu 10:00-18:00; We 10:00-13:00; Th off; Fr 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Edinburgh Place, Cheltenham, GL51 7RP
About 8 km away
Park Campus Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RW
About 9 km away
Cirencester Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:30-17:00; Tu,Fr 09:30-19:00; We 09:30-13:00; Sa 09:30-16:00; Su,PH off
The Waterloo, Cirencester, GL7 2PZ
About 22 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from Gloucestershire
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here