Settling in · Harrow
Landing in Harrow? Start here.
The first fortnight in Harrow, 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
118 places in Harrow 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.
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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
Our Lady & St Thomas of Canterbury
Christian, Roman catholic
Harrow HA1 3BE
The Salvation Army - Harrow
Christian, Salvation army
15 Roxeth Hill, Harrow, HA2 0JY
About 2 km away
Harrow International Christian Centre
Christian. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:30-14:00 "Office open"
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
125 Uxbridge Road, Greater London, UB10 0LQ
About 10 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
10-16 Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, London, NW3 2BL
About 14 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Masjid Daar Al-Hadeeth
Muslim
96B Lower Clapton Road, Greater London, E5 0QR
About 20 km away
West London Islamic Cultural Centre
Muslim
7 Bridges Place, Greater London, SW6 4HW
About 16 km away
Muslim World League - London Office
Muslim, Sunni
46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU
About 16 km away
King's Cross Mosque and Islamic Centre
Muslim, Sunni
Cromer Street, King's Cross, London, WC1H 8DU
About 17 km away
Hindu temples
Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple Harrow
Hindu. Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-11:30,15:30-19:00; Su 06:30-11:30,15:30-19:30
Westfield Lane, Harrow, HA3 9EA
About 3 km away
Vishwa Hindu Kendra - Southall Hindu Temple
Hindu
Lady Margaret Road, Greater London, UB1 2RA
About 9 km away
Gurdwaras
Synagogues
Mosaic Reform Synagogue
Jewish, Reform
39 Bessborough Road, Harrow, HA1 3BS
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 7 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 12 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 12 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 16 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 17 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 19 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 20 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 21 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 25 km away
Temporarily using, Stratford chapel, 25 Meath road, London, England, E15 3DS
Worship services: Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children) · Sat 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 25 km away
25 MEATH ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 3DS, ENGLAND
Worship services: Wed 7:00am · Wed 7:00pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sun 9:00am · Sun 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 26 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 30 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hertfordshire
About 32 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 41 km away
The Clock Tower Pavillon, Swanley Town Council, St. Mary's road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Guildford
About 43 km away
Onslow Hall (Main Hall), Wilderness Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7 QR
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
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
Personal Fitness Centre
Fitness
Navigator Square, Greater London, N19 3TD
About 15 km away
Brasilerio
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 09:00-16:00
99 High Street Whitton, Whitton, TW2 7LD
About 15 km away
Teddington Sports
Sports. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
Broad Street, Teddington, TW11 8QZ
About 18 km away
Food and takeaways
Shobha's Rasoi
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-23:00
128-130 High Street, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 7AL
Parathas Lounge
Indian. restaurant
14A Broadwalk, Pinner Road, Harrow, HA2 6ED
Jai Durga Mahal
Indian, chinese, pizza. restaurant
64 Station Road, Harrow, HA2 7SJ
Chennai Srilalitha
Indian. restaurant
196 Kenton Road, Harrow, HA3 8BX
About 2 km away
Mumbai Local
Indian. restaurant
453 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, HA2 9SE
About 3 km away
Sakee Bar & Restaurant
Indian. restaurant
173-175 Marsh Road, Pinner, HA5 5PB
About 3 km away
Peking Garden
Chinese. takeaway
199 Marsh Road, Pinner, HA5 5NE
About 3 km away
Jaflong
Indian. restaurant
299 Northolt Road, Harrow, HA2 8JA
About 3 km away
Zan Zi Bar
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-00:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-01:30
113 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7DB
About 5 km away
Rabbani's Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-00:00
167-169 Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 1NJ
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
London Welsh RFC
Rugby union. Sport club
187 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2AZ
About 14 km away
Richmond Fitness Club
Martial arts. Sports centre
Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2NA
About 14 km away
Twickenham Cricket Club
Cricket. Sport club
The Green, Twickenham, TW2 5TU
About 16 km away
Twickenham Stoop Stadium
Rugby union. Stadium
Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, TW2 7SX
About 15 km away
Hatfield Football Academy
Soccer. Sports centre
1 College Lane, Welwyn Hatfield, AL10 9PJ
About 20 km away
Ibstock Sports Hall
Tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cricket, running. Sports centre
Clarence Lane, Greater London, SW15 5QA
About 16 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Driving schools
HGV Training
Driving school
12 Regis Road, Greater London, NW5 3EW
About 14 km away
Driveland
Driving school
Langham Road, Greater London, N15 3ND
About 17 km away
Enjoy More Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00
Wilmer Crescent, Greater London, KT2 5LU
About 18 km away
Circa Motorcycle Training
Driving school
Thornbury Avenue, Greater London, TW7 4NQ
About 12 km away
PassMasters Motorcycle Training
Driving school
Greenford Road, Greater London, UB6 0UX
About 3 km away
Holborn School Of Motoring
Driving school
Clerkenwell Road, Greater London, EC1R 4PP
About 17 km away
Community and support groups
Pembroke Park Community Centre
Community centre
19A Coleridge Drive, Greater London, HA4 8GP
About 4 km away
114 Squadron Air Training Corps
Community centre
Ickenham Road, Greater London, HA4 7DQ
About 7 km away
Sidings Community Centre
Community centre
150 Brassey Road, London, NW6 2BA
About 11 km away
Denham Village Memorial Hall
Community centre
Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BN
About 11 km away
West Hampstead Women's Centre
Community centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00
26-30 Cotleigh Road, London, NW6 2NP
About 11 km away
201 (Harrow) Detachment ACF
Community centre. Hours: We 19:30-21:30; Fr 19:30-21:30
Elmgrove Road, Harrow, HA1 2BG
Doreen Bazell Hall
Community centre. Hours: 12:00-18:00
1 Goldington Street, London
About 16 km away
Haringey Chinese Community Centre
Community centre
211 Langham Road, Greater London, N15 3LH
About 17 km away
205 (Wembley) Detachment ACF
Community centre. Hours: Tu 19:30-21:30; Th 19:30-21:30
607 Harrow Road, Greater London, HA0 2EF
About 5 km away
London Welsh Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:00-21:00; Tu-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
157-163 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8UE
About 17 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Afro hair specialists
3D Afro & European
Hairdresser
272 Uxbridge Road, Greater London, W12 7JA
About 12 km away
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
The Strand Ltd
Hairdresser
High Street, Greater London, HA4 8LL
About 6 km away
Luke's Barber Shop
Hairdresser
High Street, Greater London, HA4 8LS
About 6 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Eastcote Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 09:30-18:00; Th 09:30-19:00; Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:00
88 Field End Road, Greater London, HA5 1RL
About 4 km away
Yeading Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 10:00-19:00; Tu-We,Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00; Su off; PH off
Yeading Lane, Greater London, UB4 0EW
About 9 km away
Oak Farm Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:00-19:00;Tu,We,Fr 09:00-17:30;Sa 09:00-16:00
Sutton Court Road, Greater London, UB10 9PB
About 9 km away
Askew Road Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-17:00
87/91 Askew Road, Greater London, W12 9AU
About 12 km away
Osterley Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:30-20:00; Tu,Sa 09:30-17:30; We,Fr,Su off
St. Marys Crescent, Greater London, TW7 4NB
About 12 km away
Keats Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-We 10:00-18:00; Th-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa-Su 12:00-16:00
10 Keats Grove, Hampstead Heath, London, NW3 2RR
About 13 km away
Swiss Cottage Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off; PH off
88 Avenue Road, Greater London, NW3 3HA
About 13 km away
Greenhill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-15:00
College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX
Paddington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Porchester Road, City of Westminster, W2 5DS
About 13 km away
North Harrow Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Sa 10:00-17:00
429-433 Pinner Road, Harrow, HA1 4HN
Friern Barnet Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-18:00
Friern Barnet Road, Greater London, N11 3DS
About 13 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 Harrow
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