Settling in · Barnes
Landing in Barnes? Start here.
The first fortnight in Barnes, 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
99 places in Barnes 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
All Saints
Christian, Anglican
East Sheen Avenue, London, SW14 8AX
About 2 km away
Holy Trinity Richmond
Christian, Anglican
Sheen Park, Richmond, TW9 1UP
About 3 km away
St Stephen's
Christian, Anglican
Richmond Road, Twickenham, TW1 2PD
About 5 km away
Saint Mary the Virgin
Christian, Anglican
Church Street, Twickenham, TW1 3NJ
About 6 km away
Haven Green Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Castlebar Road, Greater London, W5 2UP
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
8 Leeland Road, Greater London, W13 9HH
About 6 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
11 May Road, Twickenham, TW2 6QW
About 7 km away
St. Peter & St. Paul
Christian, Anglican
Bychurch End, Teddington, TW11 8PS
About 8 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
27 Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8PF
About 8 km away
Teddington Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
1 Stanley Road, TW11 8TP
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Islamic Universal Association
Muslim
20 Penzance Place, Greater London, W11 4PG
About 5 km away
Muslim World League - London Office
Muslim, Sunni
46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU
About 9 km away
UK Albanian Muslim Community & Cultural Centre
Muslim
88-90 Carlton Vale, Greater London, NW6 5DA
About 7 km away
Hindu temples
Radha Krishna Temple
Hindu, Krishna
9-10 Soho Street, City of Westminster, W1D 3DL
About 9 km away
Gurdwaras
Buddhist temples and centres
Synagogues
New London Synagogue
Jewish, Masorti
33 Abbey Road, City of Westminster, NW8 0AT
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 5 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 6 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 6 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 9 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 11 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 12 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 12 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 13 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 13 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 19 km away
25 MEATH ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 3DS, ENGLAND
Worship services: Wed 7:00am · Wed 7:00pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sun 9:00am · Sun 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 19 km away
Temporarily using, Stratford chapel, 25 Meath road, London, England, E15 3DS
Worship services: Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children) · Sat 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 22 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 30 km away
The Clock Tower Pavillon, Swanley Town Council, St. Mary's road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Guildford
About 36 km away
Onslow Hall (Main Hall), Wilderness Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7 QR
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hertfordshire
About 42 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · 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
Shops from home
Brasilerio
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 09:00-16:00
99 High Street Whitton, Greater London, TW2 7LD
About 8 km away
Teddington Sports
Sports. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
Broad Street, Teddington, TW11 8QZ
About 8 km away
Hoo Hing
Supermarket. stocks Asian goods. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa, PH 10:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30
Bond Road, Greater London, CR4 3HG
About 9 km away
Shivam Convenience
Grocery
12 Formosa Street, City of Westminster, W9 1EE
About 7 km away
Baker St. News & Convenience
Newsagent
202 Baker Street, City of Westminster, NW1 5RT
About 8 km away
Shreeji News & Convenience Store
Newsagent
20 Museum Street, Greater London, WC1A 1JN
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Awesome Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 18:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,18:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
68 Church Road, London, SW13 0DQ
Secret Recipe
Chinese, thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:30
73 Sheen Lane, East Sheen, London, SW14 8AD
Kaalika
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We,Th 17:00-22:00, Fr 17:00-23:00, Sa 16:00-23:00, Su 16:00-22:00
425 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, London, SW14 7PJ
About 2 km away
Pinto Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-15:00,17:30-23:00; Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
320 Upper Richmond Road, Greater London, SW15 6TL
About 2 km away
Magoa
Indian. restaurant
244 Upper Richmond Road, Greater London, SW15 6TG
About 3 km away
Swagat
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Sa 18:00-23:00; Su 17:00-22:00
86 Hill Rise, Richmond, TW10 6UB
About 4 km away
Richmond Thai Kitchen
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Th 17:00-22:00; Tu off; Fr 12:00-14:45,17:00-22:00; Sa-Su 12:00-12:45,17:00-22:00
58 Hill Rise, Richmond, TW10 6UB
About 4 km away
Cottons Notting Hill
Caribbean. restaurant
157-159 Notting Hill Gate, Greater London, W11 3LF
About 5 km away
Nazmin's
Indian. restaurant
398 Garratt Lane, Greater London, SW18 4HP
About 6 km away
Rosa's Thai Cafe
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
36 Queensway, City of Westminster, W2 3RX
About 6 km away
Rosie Chai
Coffee shop, lebanese, wrap, tea. cafe. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30, Su 09:30-18:00
13 Church Street, Twickenham, TW1 3NJ
About 6 km away
The Tiger's Tandoor
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,18:00-24:00
20 Church Street, Twickenham, TW1 3NJ
About 6 km away
Sports and clubs
London Welsh RFC
Rugby union. Sport club
187 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2AZ
About 3 km away
Richmond Fitness Club
Martial arts. Sports centre
Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2NA
About 4 km away
Westway Sports Centre
Climbing, tennis, badminton, football, eton fives, squash. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00, Sa 07:00-20:00, Su 08:00-21:00
1 Crowthorne Road, Greater London, W10 6RP
About 5 km away
Wimbledon Racquets & Fitness Club
Badminton, squash. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa-Su 09:00-22:30; PH "varies"
13 Cranbrook Road, Greater London, SW19 4HD
About 7 km away
Twickenham Cricket Club
Cricket. Sport club
The Green, Twickenham, TW2 5TU
About 7 km away
Twickenham Stoop Stadium
Rugby union. Stadium
Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, TW2 7SX
About 7 km away
Charteris Sports Centre
Badminton, Circuits, futsal, Over 50's, pilates, yoga, Kids Gymnastics, Kids Karate & Martial Arts, aikido. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 18:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-18:00
24-30 Charteris Road, Greater London, NW6 7ET
About 8 km away
Sheen Park Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Fife Road, Greater London, SW14 7EW
About 3 km away
Wycombe House Cricket and Social Club
Sports centre
Jersey Road, Greater London, TW7 5PW
About 6 km away
LSE Sports Ground
Football, rugby union, cricket, netball, tennis. Sports centre
Windsor Avenue, Greater London, KT3 5HB
About 9 km away
Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club and Hampstead Cricket Club
Cricket, field hockey, fitness, squash, table tennis, tennis. Sports centre
Dresden Close, Greater London, NW3 6ES
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
Climbing Co Fulham
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-22:00, We 07:00-22:00, Th 10:00-22:00, Fr 07:00-21:00, Sa-Su 09:00-19:00
33-39 Parsons Green Lane, Greater London, SW6 4HH
About 4 km away
Driving schools
Enjoy More Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00
Wilmer Crescent, Greater London, KT2 5LU
About 6 km away
Circa Motorcycle Training
Driving school
Thornbury Avenue, Greater London, TW7 4NQ
About 7 km away
Earlsfield School Of Motoring
Driving school
360 Garratt Lane, Greater London, SW18 4ES
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
The Brunswick Club for Young People
Community centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 15:00-21:00
34 Haldane Road, Greater London, SW6 7EU
About 3 km away
West Hampstead Women's Centre
Community centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00
26-30 Cotleigh Road, London, NW6 2NP
About 9 km away
Sidings Community Centre
Community centre
150 Brassey Road, London, NW6 2BA
About 9 km away
Powerstation Youth Centre
Community centre
121 Mortlake High Street, Mortlake, London, SW14 8SW
Sands End Arts & Community Centre
Community centre
Peterborough Road, Greater London, SW6 3BB
About 4 km away
The Woodfield Pavilion
Community centre
Abbotswood Road, Greater London, SW16 1AJ
About 9 km away
The Hive
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 03:00-19:00
18 Harben Parade, London
About 9 km away
205 (Wembley) Detachment ACF
Community centre. Hours: Tu 19:30-21:30; Th 19:30-21:30
607 Harrow Road, Greater London, HA0 2EF
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Andrew Stephen Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 9:00-18:00; We-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 9:00-18:00
7 Rocks Lane, London, SW13 0DB
Ben Forrest
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-21:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
8 Royal Parade, Richmond, TW9 3QD
About 3 km away
Carlucci Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-18:00; Tu-We 09:00-19:00; Th-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su "on appointment"
Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2ND
About 4 km away
Vagabond Barbers
Hairdresser
15 Sheen Road, Richmond, TW9 1AS
About 4 km away
Trevor Sorbie
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00
12 The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1BP
About 4 km away
Fifty Hairworks
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-19:00; Th, Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 10:30-17:00
32 Red Lion Street, Richmond, TW9 1RW
About 4 km away
Gents Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 9:00-19:00,Sa 8:30-18:00,Su 10:00-17:00
18 Staines Road, Twickenham, TW2 5AH
About 7 km away
Dapper
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:30-17:30
11 Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8PF
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Richmond Reference Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Whittaker Avenue, Greater London, TW9 1TP
About 4 km away
Southfields Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
300 Wimbledon Park Road, Greater London, SW19 6NL
About 4 km away
Ham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00;We 10:00-19:00;Th closed;Sa 09:30-16:00
Ham Street, Ham, Richmond, TW10 7HR
About 6 km away
Twickenham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-19:00; Tu 09:30-18:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th,Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
Garfield Road, Twickenham, TW1 3JT
About 6 km away
Paddington Children’s Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-05:30; Sa 10:30-05:00
Westbourne Park Villas, City of Westminster, W2 5EF
About 6 km away
Osterley Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:30-20:00; Tu,Sa 09:30-17:30; We,Fr,Su off
St. Marys Crescent, Greater London, TW7 4NB
About 7 km away
The Cinema in the Arches
Cinema
22 Arches Lane, Greater London, SW11 8AB
About 7 km away
Raynes Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-17:00
Approach Road, Greater London, SW20 8BA
About 7 km away
Whitton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-18:00, We 10:00-19:00, Sa 09:30-16:00
141 Nelson Road, Whitton, TW2 7BB
About 8 km away
Swiss Cottage Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off; PH off
88 Avenue Road, London, NW3 3HA
About 9 km away
Durning Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
167 Kennington Lane, Greater London, SE11 4HF
About 10 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 Barnes
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