Settling in · Aintree
Landing in Aintree? Start here.
The first fortnight in Aintree, 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
86 places in Aintree 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
The Salvation Army Liverpool Walton
Christian, Salvation army
Cavendish Drive, Walton, Liverpool, L9 1NB
About 4 km away
Our Lady Queen Of Martyrs Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-14:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-21:00
Stonebridge Lane, L11 9AZ
About 4 km away
St Cuthbert's Church
Christian, Anglican
4 Langley Close, L12 0NB
About 5 km away
St Timothy's RC Church
Christian, Catholic
Rockwell Road, L12 4XY
About 6 km away
St Albert the Great Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:30
31 Hollow Croft, L28 4AE
About 6 km away
St Luke's & St Jude's Church & Community Centre
Christian, Anglican
Princess Drive, Liverpool, L14 8XG
About 7 km away
Stoneycroft Salvation Army Community Church
Christian, Salvation army
Prescot Road, Old Swan, Liverpool, L13 3BT
About 8 km away
Trinity Church
Christian, Anglican, methodist
1 Huyton House Road, Liverpool, L36 2PE
About 8 km away
St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic. Hours: Tu, Th 08:30-10:30; Sa 09:00-11:00, 17:00-19:00; Su 10:00-12:00
Pilch Lane, L14 0JG
About 9 km away
Page Moss Lane Baptist Church
Christian. Hours: We 10:00-14:00; Th 09:30-23:30; Su 10:00-11:30
Page Moss Lane, L14 0LX
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Hindu temples
Liverpool Ganesh Temple
Hindu. Hours: Mo-Su,PH 09:00-21:00
13 Delfby Crescent, Liverpool, L32 8TN
About 4 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Sri Sambuddha Viharaya (Buddhist Temple)
Buddhist. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-21:00
120 Carr Lane East, L11 4SL
About 4 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Liverpool
About 12 km away
St Laurence's School, St. Laurence Drive Birkenhead, England CH41 3JD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sun 11:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Flintshire
About 28 km away
High Street Bagillt Flintshire, North Wales CH6 6HE
Worship services: Tue 6:15pm · Sat 12:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Blackpool
About 39 km away
Spencer Court Community Centre, Spencer Court, Blackpool, FY1 3TW, England
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sun 11:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 42 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (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
Food and takeaways
Lin’s
Chinese, fish and chips. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo 16:00-22:30
7 Langley Close, Liverpool, L12 0NB
About 5 km away
Pizza Perfect
Burger, chicken, kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: 15:00-22:00
70 Baycliff Road, Liverpool, L12 6QX
About 7 km away
Marmaris Special
Burger, chicken, kebab, pasta, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-00:00
243 Finch Lane, L14 4AE
About 7 km away
Mexico Pizza
Burger, kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Sa 15:00-23:00; Su 14:30-23:00
14 Finch Road, L14 4AT
About 7 km away
Yang Sing
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 12:30-23:00
36 Finch Road, Liverpool, L14 4AT
About 7 km away
The Charcoal Hob
Chicken, pizza, burger, kebab. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo 16:30-01:45
379 Prescot Road, Liverpool, L13 3BS
About 8 km away
Sizzlaz 2
Pizza, burger, chicken, kebab. restaurant
648 Prescot Road, Liverpool, L13 5XE
About 8 km away
Good Shepherd Noodle Bar & Asia Takeaway
Chinese, noodles. takeaway
19 Broad Green Road, Liverpool, L13 5SD
About 8 km away
LiangJi Wraps
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:30-21:00
5 Prescot Street, L7 8UE
About 8 km away
Pagemoss Chippy
Chinese, fish and chips. takeaway. Hours: Mo 15:36-22:00, We 15:45-22:00, Thu 15:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 15:45-22:15; Su 15:45-22:00
84 Liverpool Road, Huyton, L36 3RF
About 8 km away
GREAT WALL
Chinese, fish and chips. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 16:00-22:45
148 Liverpool Road, Huyton, L36 3RG
About 8 km away
MAROW PIZZA
Burger, kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-23:30
7 Page Moss Parade, Liverpool, L36 2PA
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Terry McElhinneys Martial Arts & Fitness Classes
Fitness centre. Hours: Tu, Th 19:30-21:00
Longview Lane, Huyton, L36 7UN
About 10 km away
Tiger Soccer
Sports centre. Hours: Su-Mo 18:30-22:00
61 Storrington Avenue, L11 9DQ
About 4 km away
Salisbury Amateur Boxing Club
Boxing. Sports centre
11A Salisbury Street, Liverpool, L3 8DR
About 8 km away
Croxteth Judo Club
Fitness centre. Hours: Tu 17:00-19:00
40 Altcross Road, L11 0BS
About 4 km away
THE FITNESS PACK
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo, We 09:00-19:30; Tu 06:00-21:00; Th 06:00-20:30; Fr 06:00-11:00; Sa 09:30-10:30
Unit 2, Lees Road, L33 7AA
About 5 km away
Fit-Pharm Kirkby
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo, We, Fr 05:00-20:00; Tu, Th 06:00-20:00; Sa 06:01-14:00; Su 08:00-12:00
14 Lees Road, L33 7SE
About 5 km away
Grow & Glow Women's Gym
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-19:30; Sa 08:00-13:00
Birchill Road, L33 7TD
About 5 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Driving schools
Ashley Neal Driving School
Driving school
50 Whitewood Park, Liverpool, L9 7LG
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
Alt Valley Community Trust
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:30
Altcross Road, L11 0BS
About 4 km away
Deysbrook Village Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Deysbrook Way, Liverpool, L12 4XF
About 6 km away
Bob Whiley Community Centre
Community centre
Shop Road, Knowsley, L34 0HD
About 6 km away
The Craigs Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00
Little Moss Hey, L28 5RL
About 8 km away
North Huyton Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:30
Tudor Avenue, L14 9NQ
About 8 km away
The Heart of Egremont
Community centre
Guildford Street, Wallasey, CH44 0BP
About 9 km away
Croxteth & Gillmoss Community Federation
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
35 Moss Way, L11 0BL
About 4 km away
Porchfield Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:00
Porchfield Close, L11 9DT
About 4 km away
Rhys Jones Community Centre
Community centre
3 Langley Close, Liverpool, L12 0NB
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Make Over Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:00-18:00; We 09:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00
243 Finch Lane, L14 4AE
About 7 km away
Blush
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,We,Sa 09:30-17:30; Tu,Su off; Th 09:30-20:00; Fr 09:30-18:30
178 Long Lane, West Lancashire, L39 5DA
About 8 km away
Hart & Co. Barbershop
Hairdresser
38 Vauxhall Road, Liverpool, L3 2BB
About 9 km away
Thatchairs Hair and Body
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:30-17:00; We, Sa 09:00-19:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-18:00
271 Pilch Lane, L14 0JF
About 9 km away
Barbers No1 Pilch Lane
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
9 Childwall Lane, L14 6TT
About 9 km away
The Little Hairmaid
Hairdresser
249 Rake Lane, Wallasey, CH45 5DJ
About 9 km away
Bluebell Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Primrose Drive, L36 3SX
About 9 km away
AK's Hair & Beauty Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00
145 Salerno Drive, L36 7TU
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Croxteth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 08:30-16:30; Fr 08:30-15:30
40 Altcross Road, L11 0BS
About 4 km away
Stockbridge Village Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
The Withens, L28 1AB
About 7 km away
Old Swan Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Prescot Road, Liverpool, L13 5XG
About 8 km away
Aldham Robarts Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
29 Maryland Street, Liverpool, L1 9DE
About 9 km away
Childwall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-18:00; Th-Fr 10:00-17:00
L15 6UT
About 10 km away
Henry A Cole Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Utting Avenue East, Liverpool, L11 5AA
About 4 km away
Crosby Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Crosby Road North, Sefton, L22 4QB
About 6 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 Aintree
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