Settling in · Beckenham
Landing in Beckenham? Start here.
The first fortnight in Beckenham, 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
81 places in Beckenham 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 - Thornton Heath
Christian
66 High Street, Thornton Heath, CR7 8LF
About 5 km away
The Apostolic Faith Mission
Christian, Apostolic
95 Fenham Road, Greater London, SE15 1AE
About 8 km away
Destiny International Christian Fellowship
Christian
95 Camberwell Station Road, Greater London, SE5 9JJ
About 9 km away
Christ Apostolic Church Balm of Gilead Healing Centre
Christian, Pentecostal
123-125 Stanstead Road, Greater London, SE23 1HH
About 4 km away
Elim Pentecostal Church
Christian, Pentecostal
Mersham Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8NP
About 5 km away
St. Margaret the Queen
Christian, Anglican
Barcombe Avenue, Greater London, SW2 3BH
About 7 km away
Glory Divine Christian Centre and Community Hall
Christian
108c Warner Road, Greater London, SE5 9HQ
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Alhidaya Croydon
Muslim
177 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7JP
About 6 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 8 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, Royal Greenwich, London
About 10 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 12 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, 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, Battersea, London
About 13 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, Orpington
About 13 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, Romford
About 14 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, Stratford, London
About 14 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, Central London
About 15 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, Notting Hill
About 18 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, North London
About 24 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, Heathrow, London
About 28 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, Heathrow North, London
About 30 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, Guildford
About 44 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)
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
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 10 km away
Herne Hill Convenience Store
Alcohol
87 Norwood Road, Greater London, SE24 9AA
About 7 km away
Food and takeaways
Chilli Indian Street Kitchen
Indian. restaurant
219 Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5PQ
About 6 km away
Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine
Thai. restaurant
202 Croydon Road, Croydon, CR0 4PJ
About 9 km away
Indiya
Indian. restaurant
180 High Street, Greater London, BR6 0JW
About 9 km away
Sugar & Spice
Caribbean, english. takeaway
5a Woodville Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8LH
About 5 km away
Sports and clubs
Stones Gym & Fitness Centre
Fitness centre
50 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8HQ
About 5 km away
West Wickham Bowling Club
Bowls. Sports centre
Silver Lane, Greater London, BR4 0SA
About 4 km away
Langley Park Sports & Social Club
Sports centre
Hawksbrook Lane, Greater London, BR3 3BP
About 2 km away
Calso Health and Fitness Centre
Sports centre
28-30 Letchworth Drive, Greater London, BR2 9BE
About 3 km away
Days out and things to do
Bromley Central Library
Museum. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:30-17:00; Th 09:30-20:00; Su,PH off
High Street, Greater London, BR1 1EX
About 3 km away
Driving schools
1st Time School of Motoring
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 10:00-14:00
Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5LQ
About 6 km away
ACBT London Motorcycle Training school
Driving school. Hours: 24/7
Dursley Road, Greater London, SE3 8PB
About 8 km away
Data Cars Driver Training Centre
Driving school
92 Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5HE
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Vida Walsh Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 13:00-16:00; Tu,We,Fr 10:00-16:00; Th 10:00-13:00
2B Saltoun Road, Greater London, SW2 1EP
About 8 km away
The Woodfield Pavilion
Community centre
Abbotswood Road, Greater London, SW16 1AJ
About 8 km away
Hollington Youth Centre
Community centre
Redcar Street, Greater London, SE5 0LT
About 9 km away
Shrewsbury House Community Centre
Community centre
Bushmoor Crescent, Greater London, SE18 3EG
About 10 km away
Geffery's Hall Community Centre
Community centre
27 Nunnington Close, Greater London, SE9 4TA
About 6 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Nouvelle hair and beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 10:00-15:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
109 High Street, Greater London, SE20 7DT
About 2 km away
Elite Hair Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 10:00-18:00; Th 11:30-20:00; Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
288 Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5PJ
About 6 km away
Salon Seven
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu 09:30-18:00; We-Th 09:30-20:00; Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
7 Addington Road, Greater London, CR2 8LH
About 8 km away
Vintage62
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu off; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su off
127 Addington Road, Greater London, CR2 8LH
About 8 km away
Gents Barber Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
47 Vanbrugh Park, Greater London, SE3 7JQ
About 8 km away
Diamond Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th, Sa 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Su 10:00-16:00
184 Shooters Hill Road, Greater London, SE3 8RP
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Beckenham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-19:00; Tu,We,Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:00, Th,Su closed
22 Beckenham Road, Greater London, BR3 4PE
West Wickham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-19:00; Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-17:30, Sa 09:30-17:00; We,Su closed
Glebe Way, Greater London, BR4 0SH
About 4 km away
Upper Norwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-We, Fr-Sa 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-20:00
39 Westow Hill, Greater London, SE19 1TJ
About 4 km away
Southborough Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00, Su,Mo,Th,PH off
Southborough Lane, Greater London, BR2 8AP
About 5 km away
Mottingham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00; We 09:30-13:00, 14:00-19:00, Fr 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00, Tu,Th,Su closed
31 Mottingham Road, Greater London, SE9 4QZ
About 6 km away
Chislehurst library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 09:30-17:30; Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-17:00, We,Su closed
Red Hill, Greater London, BR7 6DA
About 6 km away
Petts Wood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 09:30-17:30; Th 09:30-19:00; We,Su,PH off
Frankswood Avenue, Greater London, BR5 1BP
About 7 km away
Deptford Lounge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
9 Giffin Street, Greater London, SE8 4RJ
About 8 km away
Peckham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:00-20:00; We 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-16:00
122 Peckham Hill Street, Greater London, SE15 5JR
About 8 km away
Whirled Cinema
Cinema
259 Hardess Street, Greater London, SE24 0HN
About 8 km away
Blackheath Standard Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:00, Tu,We,Fr 09:00-17:30, Th 09:00-19:00, Sa 09:00-17:00
17 Old Dover Road, Greater London, SE3 7BT
About 8 km away
Odeon
Cinema
Walnuts Shopping Centre, Greater London, BR6 0TW
About 9 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 Beckenham
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