Settling in · Andover
Landing in Andover? Start here.
The first fortnight in Andover, 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
63 places in Andover 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 - Andover
Christian, Salvation army
Winchester Street, Andover, SP10 2EA
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
River Way, Andover, SP10 1DX
United Reformed Church
Christian, United reformed
Bridge Street Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
St Mary's Church
Christian, Anglican
Elim Church
Christian, Independent
Grace Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
St John the Baptist
Christian, Catholic
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Salisbury
About 27 km away
URC hall, 30 Fisherton St. Salisbury, SP2 7RG England
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southampton
About 31 km away
St. Peter's Church, Lockerly Cresent, Southampton, SO16 4ER
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm · Sat 6:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Swindon
About 42 km away
Park South Community Centre, Cranmore avenue, Swindon, SN3 2ER
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Reading
About 43 km away
Whitley Children's Centre, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, England, RG2 8LT
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · 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
Food and takeaways
Golden Dragon
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:00; PH 17:00-22:00
103-105 High Street, SP10 1ND
Buddha Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-14:00, 17:30-23:00
10b Colenzo Drive, Andover, SP10 1JS
Spice Route
Indian. restaurant
The Bengal
Indian. takeaway
Peking Chef Chinese Takeaway Andover
Chinese. takeaway
Charcoal Grill
Kebab. takeaway
Sports and clubs
The DEPOT
Football, table tennis, netball, tennis, bas. Sports centre
West Portway, Test Valley, SP10 3SE
About 3 km away
Hall Of Gains
Martial arts. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
20 Brunel Gate, Andover, SP10 3LF
About 3 km away
Basketball court
Basketball, football. Pitch
Treerunners
Climbing adventure. Sports centre
Old Micheldever Road, Test Valley, SP11 7AE
About 3 km away
Reasons Fitness
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:30; Sa-Su 07:30-13:00
East Portway, Andover, SP10 3LX
About 2 km away
Snap Fitness
Fitness centre
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Fishing spot
Fishing spot
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
St Mary Bourne Village Centre
Community centre
Bourne Meadow, Basingstoke and Deane, SP11 6BE
About 7 km away
Goodworth Clatford Village Club
Community centre
Village Street, Test Valley, SP11 7RD
About 3 km away
koala Community Hub
Community centre
Appleshaw Village Hall
Community centre
Biddesden Bottom Road, Test Valley, SP11 9FP
About 7 km away
Hurstbourne Priors Village Hall
Community centre
B3048 Basingstoke and Deane, RG28 7SB
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
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 Andover
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