Settling in · Birdham
Landing in Birdham? Start here.
The first fortnight in Birdham, 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
71 places in Birdham 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
St George's
Christian, Anglican
Cleveland Road, Chichester, PO19 7AD
About 7 km away
St Peter's Church, Selsey
Christian, Anglican
Chichester Road, Chichester, PO20 0LX
About 7 km away
St. Peter's, Westhampnett
Christian, Anglican
Stane Street, Chichester, PO18 0NT
About 9 km away
Waterside United Reform Church
Christian, United reformed
Bath Road, Havant, PO10 7ER
About 9 km away
St. Peter's Church
Christian, Anglican
St Peter's Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0RX
About 10 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Portsmouth City
About 16 km away
St. Cuthbert's Center, 2 Lichfield Road, Copner, P03 6DE
Worship services: Thu 6:15pm · Sat 10:30am · Sat 12:30pm (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
Food and takeaways
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant
Chichester Gate, Chichester, PO19 8EL
About 6 km away
The Old Cottage
Indian. restaurant. Hours: 17:30-23:00
37 West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RP
About 6 km away
Lemongrass
Thai. restaurant
5-6 Saint Pancras, Chichester, PO19 7SJ
About 7 km away
India Gate
Indian. restaurant
14 St Pancras, Chichester, PO19 7SJ
About 7 km away
Namaste Punjab
Indian. restaurant
56 St. Paul's Road, Chichester, PO19 3BW
About 7 km away
Curry House
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:30
78 Saint Pancras, Chichester, PO19 7LS
About 7 km away
Bay of Bengal
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su, Tu-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:30; Mo off
94 Elm Grove, Hayling Island, PO11 9EH
About 10 km away
The Lighthouse Fish and Chips
Kebab, fish and chips, burger. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Oliver Whitby Road, Chichester, PO19 3LA
About 6 km away
Sports and clubs
Chichester Rugby Football Club
Sports centre
Wellington Road, Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6BB
About 7 km away
Elitas Fitness
Gym, exercise. Fitness centre
1 Terminus Road, Chichester, PO19 8UN
About 6 km away
Nuffield Healthclub
Multi. Sports centre
Chichester Gate, Chichester, PO19 8EL
About 6 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Mick's Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
9-11 Mengham Road, Hayling Island
About 10 km away
Community and support groups
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Chichester Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:30; We-Th 10:00-19:30; Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-15:00
Saint Pancras, Chichester
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Wittering Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 13:00-15:00; Th-Sa 09:00-13:00; PH Mo off
Oakfield Avenue, Chichester, PO20 8BT
About 4 km away
Selsey Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00, Sa10:00-14:00
School Lane, Chichester, PO20 9EH
About 7 km away
Hayling Island Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; Tu,Th,Su off
Elm Grove, Havant, PO11 9EE
About 10 km away
Southbourne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
First Avenue, Chichester, PO10 8HN
About 8 km away
Aldwick Community Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wilman Gardens, Arun, PO21 4BP
About 8 km away
Emsworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
South Street, Havant, PO10 7EH
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 Birdham
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