Settling in · Blaina
Landing in Blaina? Start here.
The first fortnight in Blaina, 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
66 places in Blaina 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
Bethany Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Chapel Road, Six Bells, NP13 2ND
About 5 km away
Hafodyrynys Congregational Chapel
Christian, Congregational
A472 Hafodyrynys, NP11 5BD
About 10 km away
The Salvation Army - Bargoed
Christian, Salvation army
Greenfield Street, Bargoed, CF81 8RW
About 10 km away
Saint Dingat's Church
Christian, Church in wales
James Street, New Tredegar, NP24 6AG
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 23 km away
Llanthewy Road Newport Gwent, South Wales NP20-4LA
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cardiff
About 26 km away
Pontprennau Primary School, Heol Pontprennau, Cardiff, CF23 BLL, Wales
Worship services: Tue 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm · Sat 5:00pm (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
Food and takeaways
Doniya
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:00; Su 17:00-22:30
6 Market Square, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HR
About 4 km away
Rehmat Spice
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:30-22:30; Tu Off; We-Su 17:30-22:30
103 Broad Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9ND
About 5 km away
Sultan of Wales
Indian. restaurant
Plantation Terrace, Tredegar, NP22 5PX
About 8 km away
Indian Curry
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:00
38 High Street, Rhymney, Tredegar, NP22 5LP
About 9 km away
Happy Gathering
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:00-00:00; Tu Off; We-Su 17:00-00:00
60 Vale Terrace, Tredegar, NP22 4HU
About 5 km away
Boom Indian Street Food
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-18:00; Fr-Su 10:00-22:00
23 Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HH
About 4 km away
Sports and clubs
Ebbw Vale Sports Centre
Swimming, fitness, tennis, badminton, weightlifting, dancing, soccer, football. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 08:00-16:00; Su 08:00-19:00; PH 09:00-16:00
Lime Avenue, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6GL
About 3 km away
New Tredegar Leisure Centre
Fitness, football, rugby union, dance, running. Sports centre. Hours: Mo 15:30-21:00; Tu 09:30-21:00; We 15:30-21:00; Th 09:30-21:00; Fr 15:30-20:00; Sa 09:30-13:30; Su Off
Grove Park, New Tredegar, NP24 6XF
About 8 km away
Pontypool Amateur Boxing Club
Boxing. Sports centre
St Luke's Road, Pontypool, NP4 6NU
About 10 km away
Pontnewynydd Sports and Social Club
Football. Social club. Hours: Mo-Tu Off; We 11:00-17:00; Th 12:00-13:00; Fr-Su 11:00-23:30
Mill Road, Pontypool, NP4 6NG
About 10 km away
New Tredegar RFC Club House
Rugby union. Sport club. Hours: Mo 18:00-23:00; Tu 18:30-23:00; We Off; Th-Fr …
James Street, Tir-phil, Caerphilly, NP24 6JN
About 8 km away
Tredegar Sports Centre
Fitness, swimming, tennis, dance. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-16:00
Stable Lane, Tredegar, NP22 3BH
About 6 km away
Bedwellty Park Bowling Club
Bowls. Sports centre
1-2 Lower Salisbury Street, Tredegar, NP22 3PT
About 6 km away
Fitness Factory Blackwood
Weightlifting, fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-22:00; Sa 07:00-19:00; Su 07:00-17:00
31 Fern Close, Caerphilly, NP11 3EH
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Community and support groups
Blaenafon Workmen’s Hall
Community centre
High Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9PT
About 5 km away
The Hwb
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 17:00-19:00; We 17:30-20:30; Th Off; Fr 15:00-18:00; Sa-Su Off
69-70 Broad Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9NH
About 5 km away
Rassau Resource Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa Off; Su Off
13 School Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5PP
About 5 km away
Garnsychan Partnership
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa off; Su off
55 Stanley Road, Pontypool, NP4 7LH
About 7 km away
Garndiffaith Millennium Hall
Community centre
Top Road, Pontypool, NP4 7LT
About 7 km away
Gilwern Village Hall
Community centre
Main Road, Abergavenny, NP7 0AS
About 8 km away
Ebbw Fach Community Group
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-17:00
Pantddu Road, Pentwyn, NP13 2BP
About 6 km away
St David's Community Centre
Community centre
High Street, Tredegar, NP22 5NB
About 9 km away
Wyndham Vowles Community Center
Community centre
Crown Street, Abertillery, NP13 1PJ
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Otto Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su Off
69 High Street, Tredegar, NP22 5LP
About 9 km away
Otto Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
16 Market Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HL
About 4 km away
Komas Kurdish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
5 Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1DA
About 4 km away
Barbers and salons
Beattie's & Co
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-We 09:00-17:00; Th-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:30-16:00; Su Off
18 Market Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HL
About 4 km away
The Gentleman's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 10:00-17:00; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-15:00; Su Off
3 Libanus Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6EJ
About 4 km away
Hair by Beth
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Su "by appointment"
42 Broad Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9NH
About 5 km away
Infinity Hair Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-14:00; Su Off
36 Castle Street, Tredegar, NP22 3DQ
About 6 km away
Crowning Glory
Hairdresser
6 Commercial Street, Tredegar, NP22 3DH
About 6 km away
Mike's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00; Sa 08:00-13:00; Su Off
38B High Street, Tredegar, NP22 5LP
About 9 km away
Riko's Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00
33 Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HW
About 4 km away
Honey Combes Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-We 09:00-19:00; Th 09:00-21:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa Off; Su Off
19a Market Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HL
About 4 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Blaina Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Tu Off; We Off; Th-Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa Off; Su Off
High Street, Blaina, NP13 3BN
Cwm Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We Off; Th 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Fr-Su Off
Canning Street, Cwm, NP23 7RW
About 3 km away
Ebbw Vale Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; We Off; Th-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa Off; Su Off
21 Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6HS
About 4 km away
Brynmawr Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; We Off; Th-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa-Su Off
Market Square, Brynmawr, NP23 4AJ
About 4 km away
Abertillery Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su Off
3 Church Street, Abertillery, NP13 1HT
About 4 km away
Blaenafon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-14:00; Su 10:00-17:00; PH Off
Church Road, Blaenavon, NP4 9AS
About 5 km away
Blaenafon Workmen's Hall Cinema
Cinema
High Street, Blaenavon, NP4 9PT
About 5 km away
Rhymney Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-18:00; Tu 09:30-17:00; We 09:30-18:00; Th 09:30-17:00; Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa Off; Su Off; PH Off
Victoria Road, Rhymney, Tredegar, NP22 5NU
About 9 km away
Aberbargoed Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 09:30-13:00,14:00-18:00; We-Th 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr off; Sa off; Su off
Pant Street, Bargoed, CF81 9BA
About 9 km away
Bargoed Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Tu 09:30-13:00,14:00-18:00; We 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Th 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr 09:30-13:00,14:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-16:00; Su off; PH off
Hanbury Road, Bargoed, CF81 8QR
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 Blaina
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