Settling in · Black Notley
Landing in Black Notley? Start here.
The first fortnight in Black Notley, 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 Black Notley 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
Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Windsor Close, Witham, CM8 1EG
About 8 km away
St John the Evangelist, Little Leighs
Christian, Anglican
Church Lane, Chelmsford, CM3 1PQ
About 6 km away
St Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
Stoneham Street, Braintree, CO6 1UX
About 8 km away
Hatfield Peverel Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
The Street, Braintree, CM3 2DL
About 9 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Colchester
About 26 km away
Boxted Village Hall, Cage Lane, Boxted Cross, Colchester, C04 5RE
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sat 9:30am · Sat 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southend
About 35 km away
71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 10:00am
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
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
Charter Way, Braintree, CM77 8YJ
About 2 km away
Taste of China
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 07:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:30; Su 17:00-22:00
8 Cressing Road, Braintree, CM7 3PP
About 3 km away
Curry Box
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-21:45
2 Cressing Road, Braintree, CM7 3PP
About 3 km away
Lian
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu 16:30-21:00; We-Su 12:00-14:30, 17:00-22:30
5 Newland Street, Witham, CM8 2AF
About 8 km away
Tommy Tucker's
Burger, chicken, fish and chips, kebab, sausage. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 16:00-22:00
2 Mill Lane, CM8 1BP
About 8 km away
Thai Cottage
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:30
149 Newland Street, Witham, CM8 1BE
About 8 km away
Omar's Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:30-14:00,17:30+
The Street, Braintree, CM3 2EA
About 9 km away
Lee Garden
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Th 17:30-20:30; Fr-Sa 17:15-21:00; Su 17:15-20:30
2 Laburnum Way, Witham, CM8 2LG
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Witham Town Football & Social Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Blunts Hall Road, Braintree, CM8 1UR
About 7 km away
Witham Leisure Centre
Multi. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00
Spinks Lane, CM8 1EP
About 8 km away
Anytime Fitness
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
103-105 Newland Street, CM8 1BE
About 8 km away
Chelmsford City Racecourse
Horse racing. Sports centre
Blackley Lane, Chelmsford, CM77 8QW
About 4 km away
Braintree Swimming Centre
Swimming. Sports centre
Braintree Bypass, Braintree, CM77 8YJ
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
Marks Farm Multipurpose Community Hub
Community centre
Dunstable Drive, Braintree, CM7 3LT
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Parr's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 08:30-16:00
The Street, Braintree, CM3 2EH
About 9 km away
Hair Lounge 47
Hairdresser
47 High Street, Colchester, CO5 9AG
About 9 km away
Mr. Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 08:00-18:00; Th 08:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
80 Newland Street
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Witham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 09:00-17:30; We 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
18 Newland Street, CM8 2AQ
About 8 km away
Braintree Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Fairfield Road, Braintree, CM7 3HF
About 3 km away
Silver End Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Broadway Braintree, CM8 3RQ
About 4 km away
Coggeshall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Library Lane, Braintree, CO6 1UX
About 8 km away
Hatfield Peverel Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Street, Braintree, CM3 2DP
About 9 km away
Kelvedon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Maldon Road, Braintree, CO5 9BD
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 Black Notley
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