Settling in · Berkley
Landing in Berkley? Start here.
The first fortnight in Berkley, 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
60 places in Berkley 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
St Mary's Church
Christian, Anglican
Innox Hill, Frome, BA11 2LN
About 3 km away
Wesley Methodist Church
Christian
Wesley Slope, Frome, BA11 1HA
About 3 km away
Holy Trinity Church
Christian, Anglican
Trinity Street, Frome, BA11 3DE
About 4 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Gillingham, Dorset
About 17 km away
Salisbury st. Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6HA
Worship services: Thu 6:15pm · Sat 10:30am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 34 km away
Manor Hall, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2TG
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Salisbury
About 38 km away
URC hall, 30 Fisherton St. Salisbury, SP2 7RG England
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm
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
Jay's Kitchen
Indian. restaurant
Iron Mill Lane, Frome, BA11 2ND
About 2 km away
Mike's Kitchen
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Su-Mo 17:00-21:30; We-Th 17:00-21:30; Sa 17:00-22:00
40A Vallis Way, Frome, BA11 3BA
About 4 km away
China Capital
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-23:00
21 Fromefield, Frome, BA11 2HE
About 3 km away
Sports and clubs
Sports Plaza
Racquet, badminton, golf, billiards, 10pin, climbing, table tennis. Sports centre
Azalea Boardwalk, BA12 7PU
About 7 km away
Frome Leisure Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:00, Sa-Su 08:00-16:00
Princess Anne Road, Frome, BA11 2SA
About 2 km away
Iron Lion Gymnasium
Sports hall. Hours: 24/7
Manor Road, Frome, BA11 4BN
About 4 km away
Frome Youth & Community Centre
Sports centre
Farrant Road, Frome, BA11 3EP
About 4 km away
Liberty Gymnastic Club
Sports hall. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-20:00, Sa 09:00-15:00
Unit D, Robins Lane, Frome, BA11 3DT
About 4 km away
BODYbasics at The Studio
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:30, Sa 09:00-12:00
5 Handlemaker Road, Frome, BA11 4RW
About 4 km away
Creative Aquatic
Swimming. Sports centre
Bull's Quarries Road, Frome, BA11 5BW
About 5 km away
The Practice Frome
Yoga. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:00, Fr,Su 09:00-20:00, Sa 08:00-20:00
2a Market Place, Frome, BA11 1AG
About 3 km away
Days out and things to do
Frome Boulder Rooms
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00, Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00
The Cotton Works, Vallis Road, Frome, BA11 3EN
About 4 km away
Driving schools
LGS Transport Training
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00
Unit E3, Southgate, Frome, BA11 2RY
Community and support groups
1st and 7th Frome Scoute Hut
Community centre
Welshmill Lane, Frome, BA11 3DB
About 3 km away
Westbury Leigh Community Hall
Community centre
Salisbury Close, Westbury, BA13 3GN
About 6 km away
Studley Green Community Centre
Community centre
Lambrok Road, Trowbridge, BA14 9GA
About 9 km away
Maiden Bradley Village Hall
Community centre
High Street, Maiden Bradley, BA12 7JG
About 10 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
The Spruce - Hair and Beauty Rooms
Hairdresser
Foghamshire Lane, Trudoxhill, BA11 5DG
About 8 km away
Hair by Suzanne Elizabeth
Hairdresser
A366 Faulkland, BA3 5UU
About 9 km away
Hair of Thrones
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-17:00
45 Selwood Road, Frome, BA11 3BS
About 4 km away
Cinemas and libraries
amcar
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Church Street, Beckington, BA11 6TG
About 3 km away
Frome Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Justice Lane, Frome, BA11 1BB
About 3 km away
Westbury Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:30; Tu 09:30-17:00; We off; Th 09:30-19:30; Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off
Edward Street, Westbury, BA13 3BD
About 7 km away
The Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ash Walk, Warminster, BA12 8PZ
About 7 km away
Library and Museum
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Three Horseshoes Walk, Warminster, BA12 9BT
About 8 km away
Warminster Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:00; Tu,Fr 09:30-17:00; We 09:30-12:30; Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
Three Horseshoes Walk, Warminster, BA12 9BT
About 8 km away
Trowbridge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Mortimer Street, Trowbridge, BA14 7AF
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 Berkley
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