Settling in · Bishopsgate
Landing in Bishopsgate? Start here.
The first fortnight in Bishopsgate, 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
86 places in Bishopsgate 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
Sacred Heart Church
Christian, Roman catholic
London Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, SL5 0JY
About 5 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
53 Stoke Road, Slough, SL2 5BW
About 8 km away
The Salvation Army - Addlestone
Christian, Salvation army
Church Road, Addlestone, KT15 1SG
About 10 km away
Our Lady Immaculate & St. Ethelbert
Christian, Roman catholic
Slough SL1 1XU
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Gurdwaras
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 12 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 12 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 23 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, Reading
About 26 km away
Whitley Children's Centre, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, England, RG2 8LT
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 27 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 28 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 28 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, North London
About 29 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, Battersea, London
About 30 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 33 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 34 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, Romford
About 43 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 43 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)
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
Spices
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-21:30
The Green, Langley, Slough, SL3 9BJ
About 5 km away
Intoku
Asian, sushi. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
62-63 Jubilee Arch, Windsor, SL4 1PJ
About 5 km away
Peppermills
Indian. takeaway. Hours: 17:00-22:00
Royal Hunt House, Fernbank Road
About 8 km away
Dosa Idly Kada
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
3 London Street, Chertsey, KT16 8AP
About 8 km away
China Chef
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-14:00,17:00-22:00; Sa-Su 17:00-22:00
93 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AS
About 8 km away
Flaming Grill
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 15:00-22:00
89 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AS
About 8 km away
The India
Indian. takeaway
3 Meadfield Road, Langley, Slough, SL3 8HL
About 8 km away
Bengal Dynasty
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:00
84-86 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AD
About 8 km away
Chertsey Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:30-22:30; Fr-Su 17:30-23:00
38 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9BG
About 8 km away
London Hong Kong
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 11:30-22:30
388 Bath Road, Greater London, UB7 0DH
About 9 km away
Kaniz Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-23:00
350,352 Bath Road, Greater London, UB7 0DE
About 9 km away
Cinnamon Spice
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
9 Harrison Way, Slough, SL1 5LG
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Movement Workshop
Fitness centre
1a-2 Broomfield Hall Buildings, London Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, SL5 0DH
About 6 km away
SSNR Club
Social club. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Heriot Road, Chertsey, KT16 9DR
About 8 km away
Fifield Polo Club
Polo. Sports centre
5 Oakley Green Rd, Fifield, Windsor, SL4 4QF
About 8 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Community and support groups
The Jurgens Centre
Community centre
91 Harvest Road, Borough of Runnymede, TW20 0QR
About 2 km away
The Haven Sure Start Children's Centre
Community centre
Thorpe Road, Borough of Runnymede, TW18 3HD
About 5 km away
Virginia Water Community Centre
Community centre
Beechmont Avenue, Borough of Runnymede, GU25 4EY
About 5 km away
Staines Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00
Thames Street, Borough of Spelthorne, TW18 4EA
About 5 km away
Addlestone Young People and Family Centre
Community centre
121-125 Church Road, Addlestone, KT15 1SH
About 10 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Afro hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
G&T Hair Atelier
Hairdresser
Station Road North, Egham, TW20 9FF
About 3 km away
L'Scissors
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:30; Sa 09:30-17:00
165 High Street, Egham, TW20 9HP
About 3 km away
John Jenkins
Hairdresser
63 Chobham Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, SL5 0DT
About 6 km away
Federico Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We,Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:30
129 Guildford Street, Chertsey
About 8 km away
Leah Durrant
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; Tu-We,Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-17:00
134 Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AH
About 8 km away
Jen Hair
Hairdresser
Meadfield Road, Langley, Slough, SL3 8HN
About 8 km away
Loaf Langley
Hairdresser
3 Harrow Market, Langley, Slough, SL3 8HJ
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Chertsey Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Guildford Street, Chertsey
About 8 km away
the curve
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
William Street, Slough, SL1 1XY
About 8 km away
Sunningdale Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Fr 14:30-17:30; Sa 10:00-13:00, 13:30-16:00; Su 11:00-14:00; PH off
About 6 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 Bishopsgate
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