Settling in · Avon
Landing in Avon? Start here.
The first fortnight in Avon, 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
54 places in Avon 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 - Chippenham
Christian, Salvation army
Foghamshire Chippenham, SN15 1HB
About 5 km away
Central Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Monkton Hill, Chippenham, SN15 1EP
About 5 km away
Sheldon Road Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
1 Audley Road, Chippenham, SN14 0DU
About 6 km away
St Laurence Hilmarton
Christian, Anglican
Church Road, Hilmarton, SN11 8SE
About 6 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Swindon
About 23 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, Bristol
About 29 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
Food and takeaways
Reg's Kebab and Pizza
Kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00
5 Station Hill, Chippenham, SN15 1EQ
About 5 km away
Chippenham Kebab & Pizza House
Kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 15:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 15:30-11:30
10 New Road, SN15 1HH
About 5 km away
Pewsham Chinese Kitchen
Chinese. takeaway
1 Lodge Road, Chippenham, SN15 3SY
About 5 km away
Yilmaz Kebabs & Breakfast
Breakfast, kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-00:00
Bumpers Way, Chippenham, SN14 6LQ
About 6 km away
Lees Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Th 17:00-23:30; Fr,Sa 12:00-13:45,17:00-23:45; Su 17:30-23:30; Mo off
5 Langley Road, Chippenham, SN15 1BP
About 5 km away
Keskins
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 15:00-22:30
27 Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HP
About 5 km away
Sports and clubs
PureGym
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Foundry Lane, Chippenham, SN15 1JG
About 5 km away
Inspire Fitness
Fitness. Fitness centre
3A Union Road, Chippenham, SN15 1HW
About 5 km away
Calne Community Campus
Swimming, athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:30-22:00; Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00; PH off
White Horse Way, Calne, SN11 0SP
About 8 km away
The Cocklebury Club (Busby Club)
Social club
Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, SN15 3PZ
About 5 km away
CrossFit
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-20:30; Fr 06:00-19:30; Sa-Su 09:00-12:00
Unit 12, Bath Road, SN14 0AB
About 7 km away
North Wilts Bowls Club
Bowls. Sports centre
Litherland Close, Chippenham, SN14 0FH
About 7 km away
Days out and things to do
The Arc
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:30-18:00; We 09:30-22:00
Westmead Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3HZ
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Barber Studios
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 08:00-18:00; Th 08:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-19:00; Su 10:00-16:00
2 Post House, Park Lane, Chippenham, SN15 1LL
About 5 km away
Calne Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00, Sa 08:00-18:00, Su 09:30-16:00
4 Wood Street, Calne, SN11 0DA
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Calne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, Fr 08:00-19:00; Tu, Th 08:00-17:00; We 08:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Beach Terrace, Calne, SN11 0JU
About 7 km away
Lyneham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Calne Road, Lyneham, SN15 4PR
About 7 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 Avon
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