Settling in · Somerset
Landing in Somerset? Start here.
The first fortnight in Somerset, 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
75 places in Somerset 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
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
South Street, Taunton, TA1 3AA
About 12 km away
Taunton Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-12:00
Silver Street, Taunton, TA1 3DH
About 12 km away
Westfield United Reformed Church
Christian, Presbyterian
St Matthew's Field, Bridgwater, TA6 7HD
About 3 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Taunton
About 13 km away
Bishop's Hull Primary School, Bishop's Hull Hill, Bishop's Hull, Taunton, England, TA1 5EB
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm
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
Ruay Thai Supermarket
Supermarket
122 East Reach, Taunton, TA1 3HL
About 11 km away
Kopernik Polish and European Supermarket
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-21:30; Su 09:00-21:00
47-49 Eastover, Bridgwater, TA6 5AW
About 3 km away
Food and takeaways
The Phoenix
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:15
108 Roman Road, Taunton, TA1 2BJ
About 10 km away
Kerala Kitchen
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 17:00-23:00
34 Station Road, Taunton, TA1 1NL
About 12 km away
South Dragon House
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 17:30-23:00
13 Silver Street, Taunton, TA1 3DH
About 12 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
29-30 Apple Court, Street, BA16 0BB
About 18 km away
New Golden Ocean
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 17:00-23:30
21-23 West Street, Ilminster, TA19 9AA
About 20 km away
Sports and clubs
Evolution Martials Arts
Taekwondo, kickboxing, brazilian jiu jitsu. Sports centre
Cornishway North, Taunton, TA1 5LY
About 13 km away
Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
College Way, Bridgwater, TA6 4TZ
About 4 km away
Taunton Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Station Road, Taunton, TA1 1NN
About 12 km away
MawFIT
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Canal Way, Ilminster, TA19 9FA
About 20 km away
Hobby Horse Riding Centre
Equestrian. Sports centre
Pickney Lane, Kingston St. Mary, TA2 8AS
About 12 km away
ChalkUp!
Climbing, fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-21:00; Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 10:00-18:00
Budley Farm Commercial Units Access Road, Bridgwater, TA5 1LL
About 12 km away
Robert Blake & Elmwood Leisure
Multi. Sports centre
Hamp Avenue, Bridgwater, TA6 6AW
About 2 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Test Centre
Driving school
Crown Close, Taunton, TA2 8RX
About 10 km away
Community and support groups
Taunton Vale Sports Club
Community centre
Gipsy Lane, Staplegrove, TA2 6LL
About 11 km away
Greenway Farm Hall
Community centre
Greenway Road, Taunton, TA4 3DD
About 15 km away
Oake Village Hall
Community centre
Saxon Close, Taunton, TA4 1JA
About 17 km away
Crispin Community Centre
Community centre
4 Leigh Road, Street, BA16 0HA
About 18 km away
Crispin Hall
Community centre
83 High Street, Street, BA16 0EZ
About 18 km away
Berrow Parish Council
Community centre
21 Parsonage Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2NJ
About 18 km away
Aisholt and Merridge Village Hall
Community centre
Lower Merridge Road, Bridgwater, TA5 1DT
About 10 km away
Centre for Outdoor Activity & Community Hub (COACH)
Community centre
French Weir Avenue, Taunton, TA1 1AW
About 12 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Marmaris Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:20-17:00
143 East Reach, Taunton, TA1 3HN
About 12 km away
Barbers and salons
Hannah's Hairlines
Hairdresser
Cheats Road, Taunton, TA3 5JW
About 10 km away
CC Hair & Beauty Bar
Hairdresser
2 Wood Street, Taunton, TA1 1UN
About 12 km away
Nichares
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-16:00
5 North Street, Taunton, TA1 1LH
About 12 km away
Vital
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-17:00
5 Corporation Street, Taunton, TA1 4AJ
About 12 km away
Marlies
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
72 West Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3RW
About 3 km away
Ken Baker Hair Design
Hairdresser. Hours: We-Sa 08:00-18:00
45a High Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3BG
About 3 km away
Evolution
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00;Sa 09:00-17:00
3 Cornhill, Bridgwater, TA6 3BU
About 3 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Scott Cinemas Bridgwater
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00
Northgate Yard, Bridgwater, TA6 3FQ
About 3 km away
Bridgwater Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:30-17:00; Fr 09:30-16:00; Sa 09:30-14:00
Binford Place, Bridgwater, TA6 3LF
About 3 km away
Wellesley Cinema
Cinema
50 Mantle Street, Wellington, TA21 8AU
About 21 km away
Odeon
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:59
Heron Gate, Monkton Heathfield, TA1 2LP
About 10 km away
Taunton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-17:30; We 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-17:00
Paul Street, Taunton, TA1 3XZ
About 12 km away
North Petherton Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Fore Street, North Petherton, TA6 6RY
Street Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-13:30
6 Leigh Road, Street, BA16 0HA
About 18 km away
Somerset County Council-Highways Depot
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Dunball Industrial Estate, Bridgwater, TA6 4TP
About 7 km away
Ilminster Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Sa 09:30-12:00; Tu,Fr 09:30-16:30
Ditton Street, Ilminster, TA19 0BW
About 20 km away
Wellington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:30-17:00; Th,Sa 09:30-13:00
16 Fore Street, Wellington, TA21 8AQ
About 21 km away
South Petherton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 09:30-13:00
Knapp Hill, Over Stratton, TA13 5BS
About 22 km away
Langport Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Whatley Langport, TA10 9RA
About 14 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 Somerset
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