Settling in · Torfaen
Landing in Torfaen? Start here.
The first fortnight in Torfaen, 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
95 places in Torfaen 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 - Pontypool
Christian, Salvation army
Park Road, Pontypool, NP4 6JH
About 2 km away
St Michael's
Christian, Protestant
Usk Road, Pontypool, NP4 0JB
About 2 km away
St Cadoc
Christian
Leigh Road, Trevethin, Pontypool, NP4 8JN
About 3 km away
The Salvation Army - Cwmbran
Christian, Salvation army
Wesley Street, Cwmbran, NP44 3LX
About 5 km away
Hafodyrynys Congregational Chapel
Christian, Congregational
A472 Hafodyrynys, NP11 5BD
About 6 km away
Bethany Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Chapel Road, Six Bells, NP13 2ND
About 7 km away
Newbridge Tabernacle Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
High Street, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4AG
About 8 km away
Christchurch
Christian, Evangelical
Malpas Road, Newport, NP20 5PP
About 10 km away
The Salvation Army - Risca
Christian, Salvation army
66a Commercial Street, Risca, NP11 6BA
About 10 km away
Malpas Road Evangelical Church
Christian
Malpas Road, Newport, NP20 5PJ
About 10 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Newport Central Jam'e Masjid
Muslim
63 Stow Hill, Newport, NP20 4DX
About 12 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 12 km away
Llanthewy Road Newport Gwent, South Wales NP20-4LA
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cardiff
About 18 km away
Pontprennau Primary School, Heol Pontprennau, Cardiff, CF23 BLL, Wales
Worship services: Tue 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm · Sat 5:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 43 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
Macey Sports
Sports. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off; PH off
169 Caerleon Road, Newport, NP19 7FX
About 11 km away
Newport County AFC club shop
Sports. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30; Su off
Unit 17, Newport, NP20 1DR
About 12 km away
Mega Bazaar
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
143-144 Commercial Road, Newport, NP20 2PJ
About 13 km away
Total Asia Food
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00
Maesglas Newport, NP20 2NS
About 13 km away
Afrotropiks Groceries
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Newport NP20 1EB
About 12 km away
Asia Halal Food Store
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
49 Commercial Road, Newport, NP20 2PE
About 13 km away
International Food Market Maleek
Convenience
155 Commercial Road, Newport, NP20 2PJ
About 13 km away
Food and takeaways
Lee's Kitchen
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:00-23:00; Tu off; We-Su 17:00-23:00
4 Market Street, Pontypool, NP4 6JN
Golden Gate
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-13:30,17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-13:30,17:00-24:00; Su 17:00-23:00
Station Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1NZ
About 3 km away
Tiffins
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 16:00-22:00
4 Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 4 km away
Shabinoor Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr 17:00-00:00; Sa 17:00-00:00; Su 17:00-23:00
Oldbury Road, Cwmbran, NP44 3JU
About 5 km away
Oh Yes Pizza And Kebab House
Pizza, kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo Off; Tu 17:00-23:30; We-Th 16:30-23:40; Fr 16:30-00:00; Sa 00:00-00:30,16:00-00:00; Su 00:00-00:30,16:30-23:30
Oldbury Road, Cwmbran, NP44 3FF
About 5 km away
Fully Loaded
Mexican, burger. takeaway. Hours: Mo 09:00-23:00; Tu 08:30-23:00; We 09:00-23:00; Th 08:00-22:30; Fr 08:00-23:30; Sa 08:00-23:00; Su 11:30-23:00
Oldbury Road, Cwmbran, NP44 3FF
About 5 km away
Masala Indian Takeaway
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:30-23:00; Tu Off; We-Th 17:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:30-23:30; Su 17:30-23:00
16 Victoria Terrace, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4ET
About 8 km away
Marmaris Grill
Kebab, grill. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 15:00-23:00; Su 16:00-23:00
9 High Street, Newbridge, Caerphilly, Newbridge, NP11 4ET
About 8 km away
Kok's Wok
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:00-23:00; Tu off; We-Su 17:00-23:00
355 Malpas Road, Newport, NP20 6WB
About 9 km away
Rehmat Spice
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:30-22:30; Tu Off; We-Su 17:30-22:30
103 Broad Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9ND
About 10 km away
Prince of Caerleon
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:30-00:00; Fr-Su 17:30-00:00
1C Station Road, Newport, NP18 1NH
About 10 km away
Glebelands Cafe
cafe. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-12:00,12:30-14:30,15:00-17:00,18:00-20:00
Bank Street, Newport, NP19 7HF
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Panteg House Employees Club
Cricket, bowls, football. Sport club. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Greenhill Road, Pontypool, NP4 5BE
Canolfan Byw'n Egnïol Pont-y-pŵl
Swimming, tennis, squash, badminton. Sports centre
Trosnant Street, Pontypool, NP4 8AT
Bowden Active Living Centre
Badminton, basketball, football, netball, soccer, volleyball, dance, multi. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-21:30; Fr-Su Off
Folly Road, Pontypool, NP4 8JD
About 3 km away
Newport Indoor Football Centre
Football, soccer. Sport club. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00
Usk Way, Newport, NP20 2HZ
About 13 km away
Torfaen Warriors
Boxing. Sport club. Hours: Mo 18:00-19:15; Tu 18:00-19:30; We 18:00-19:15; Th 17:00-19:00; Fr 18:00-19:15; Sa off; Su off
Cwmbran NP44 8HQ
About 5 km away
Croesyceiliog Cricket and Rugby Club
Cricket, rugby union. Sport club
The Highway, Croesyceiliog, NP44 2HJ
About 4 km away
Caerleon RFC
Rugby. Sport club. Hours: Tu 18:30-22:30; Th 18:30-22:30; Sa 12:30-22:30
Broadway Newport, NP18 1AY
About 11 km away
Sue Noake Leisure Centre
Hockey, football, fitness, badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball, dancing. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-21:00; Sa 09:45-16:15; Su 10:00-15:00
Pengam Road, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 8AA
About 15 km away
Pontnewynydd Sports and Social Club
Football. Social club. Hours: Mo-Tu Off; We 11:00-17:00; Th 12:00-13:00; Fr-Su 11:00-23:30
Mill Road, Pontypool, NP4 6NG
About 3 km away
Martial Arts and Fitness Centre
Martial arts, taekwondo, kickboxing. Hours: Mo 16:30-21:00; Tu 16:15-21:00; We 16:30-21:00; Th 16:15-21:00; Fr off; Sa 10:15-15:15; Su off
135 Chepstow Road, Newport, NP19 8GE
About 12 km away
Ponthir Sports Club
Cricket. Sport club
Caerleon Road, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1GA
About 8 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Steve’s Baits
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
86 Heather Road, Newport, NP19 7QX
About 11 km away
Dave Richards Angling Supplies
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
73 Church Road, Newport, NP19 7EH
About 11 km away
Castle Tackle & Bait
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
Caerphilly CF83 1FN
About 18 km away
Tony's Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
14 Castle Street, Caerphilly, CF83 1NY
About 18 km away
Days out and things to do
Supakart
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:00-21:00
Newport NP19 4SL
About 14 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
PILCS Social Club
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-22:00; We 09:00-22:00; Th 08:00-23:00; Fr 09:00-00:00; Sa-Su 09:00-22:00
New Road, New Inn, NP4 0TL
Platfform Torfaen Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00; Tu-Th 09:30-16:00; Fr 09:30-15:30; Sa 10:00-14:00; Su off
Pontypool Indoor Market, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
Trevethin and Penygarn Community Centre
Community centre
Church Avenue, Pontypool, NP4 8JB
About 3 km away
Cwmbran Centre for Young People
Community centre. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-16:30,18:00-21:00; Th 09:00-16:00; Fr 09:00-16:30; Sa off; Su off
Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 4 km away
Garndiffaith Millennium Hall
Community centre
Top Road, Pontypool, NP4 7LT
About 6 km away
Garnsychan Partnership
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa off; Su off
55 Stanley Road, Pontypool, NP4 7LH
About 6 km away
Ponthir Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-17:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Caerleon Road, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1GX
About 8 km away
Bettws Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00; PH off
43 The Precinct, Bettws, Newport, NP20 7TN
About 9 km away
Malpas Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Tu[1,3] 13:00-15:00
Pillmawr Road, Malpas, Newport, NP20 6WF
About 9 km away
Village Services Community Hub
Community centre
3 Kent Court, Newport, NP18 3FG
About 9 km away
Blaenafon Workmen’s Hall
Community centre
High Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9PT
About 10 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Kurd Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:00
3 High Street, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4AG
About 8 km away
Otto Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su Off
69 High Street, Tredegar, NP22 5LP
About 19 km away
Otto Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
16 Market Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HL
About 15 km away
Komas Kurdish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
5 Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1DA
About 8 km away
Barbers and salons
Bladez Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00; Tu-Fr 09:00-16:45; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
Pontypool Indoor Market, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
Beyond Perfection Salon
Hairdresser
9 Crane Street, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
About 2 km away
Austin & Co
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu-We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-16:00; Su off
Commercial Street, Pontypool, NP4 6JJ
About 2 km away
Bens Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-16:30; Tu 09:00-17:00; We-Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 06:00-15:00; Su Off
19 Victoria Terrace, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4ET
About 8 km away
Farinos Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:30; We 09:00-13:00; Th-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-13:00; Su Off
2a Victoria Terrace, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4EW
About 8 km away
Fenner's Barber's
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo Off; Tu 09:00-18:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 08:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su Off
2 Tynewydd Terrace, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4LS
About 8 km away
Hairtek Malpas
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu 09:00-16:00; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 08:30-12:00; Su off; PH off
169 Larch Grove, Newport, NP20 6LA
About 8 km away
Levi's Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 10:30-18:00; Tu-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-15:00; Su Off
33 Russell Drive, Newport, NP20 6NE
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Pontypool Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 14:00-19:00; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-13:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off
Hanbury Road, Pontypool, NP4 6JL
Vue
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 00:00-03:00,10:00-00:00
Leisure @ Cwmbran, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 4 km away
Cwmbran Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:30; We off; Th 08:45-19:00; Fr 08:45-19:00; Sa 08:45-13:00; Su off
Gwent Square, Cwmbran, NP44 1PL
About 4 km away
Abertillery Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su Off
3 Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1HT
About 8 km away
Bettws Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 09:00-13:00; Th-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off; PH off
Bettws Centre, Newport, NP20 7TN
About 9 km away
Malpas Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu-We 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th off; Fr 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-13:00; Su off; PH off
Pillmawr Road, Newport, NP20 6WF
About 9 km away
Usk Community Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; Tu off; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-17:00; Fr off; Sa 09:00-12:45; Su off
35 Maryport Street, Usk, NP15 1AE
About 9 km away
Blaenafon Workmen's Hall Cinema
Cinema
High Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9PT
About 10 km away
Blaenafon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-14:00; Su 10:00-17:00; PH Off
Church Road, Blaenavon, NP4 9AS
About 10 km away
Caerleon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 14:00-18:00; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Th off; Fr 14:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off; PH off
2 Church Street, Newport, NP18 1AW
About 10 km away
St Julian's Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-12:00,13:00-17:00; Fr off; Sa off; Su off; PH off
Beaufort Road, Newport, NP19 7UB
About 11 km away
Maxime Cinema Blackwood
Cinema
196 High Street, Blackwood, NP12 1AA
About 11 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 Torfaen
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