Settling in · Blofield Heath
Landing in Blofield Heath? Start here.
The first fortnight in Blofield Heath, 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
50 places in Blofield Heath 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
Catholic Church of Our Lady, Mother of God
Christian, Catholic
Saint Williams Way, Norwich, NR7 0AP
About 7 km away
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
55 Rosary Road, Norwich, NR1 1SZ
About 9 km away
The Octagon Chapel
Christian, Unitarian
Colegate Norwich, NR3 1BN
About 10 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Norwich
About 11 km away
Frettenham Village hall, Church road, Norwich, NR12 7NN, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Watton
About 43 km away
CWS venue, Frettenham Village hall, & AWS, Thompson Community Hall, Thompson, Thetford, England, IP24 1PY
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:15pm (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
Asian Mart
Supermarket. Hours: 08:00-22:00
43 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1LQ
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Piccolos
Pizza, kebab, chicken. takeaway. Hours: Su-Fr 16:30-13:00; Sa 16:30-00:00
74 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, NR1 1NJ
About 10 km away
Nergiz
Indian. restaurant. Hours: 12:00-14:30,18:00+
45 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1LQ
About 10 km away
Ali Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: 12:00-14:30,18:00-00:00
9-11 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1LE
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Wensum Sports Centre
Multi, badminton, squash, table tennis, football, pickleball, fitness, mixed martial arts. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 08:00-20:00; Su 09:00-17:00
169a King Street, Norwich, NR1 1QH
About 10 km away
St Peter Parmentergate Martial Arts Centre
Martial arts. Sports centre
King Street, Norwich, NR1 1PH
About 10 km away
Bannatyne's Health Club
Fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:30; Sa-Su 08:00-21:00
Northside Norwich, NR7 0HT
About 5 km away
Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00; Sa-Su,PH 08:00-21:00
Barrack Street, Norwich, NR3 1TS
About 9 km away
PureGym
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Wherry Road, Norwich, NR1 1WX
About 10 km away
Gravity
Trampoline. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-22:00; Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa-Su 09:00-23:00
Wherry Road, Norwich, NR1 1WZ
About 10 km away
Riverside Leisure Centre
Swimming. Swimming pool. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 08:30-20:00
Wherry Road, Norwich, NR1 1WX
About 10 km away
Daynes Sports Centre
Multi. Sports centre
Saint Faiths Lane, Norwich, NR1 4DH
About 10 km away
Rileys
Snooker, pool, darts, table tennis. Sports centre
77-87 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1AA
About 10 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Tim's Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
71 Borrowdale Drive, Norwich, NR1 4NS
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
Frere Road Community Centre
Community centre
Frere Road, Norwich, NR7 9UT
About 7 km away
231 Squadron Air Cadets
Community centre
Constitution Hill, Norwich, NR6 7RA
About 9 km away
Bramerton Village Hall
Community centre
Easthill Lane, South Norfolk, NR14 7DN
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
In-Trim
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-16:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
73 Borrowdale Drive, Norwich, NR1 4NS
About 8 km away
ChilliFlame
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00
141 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1NF
About 10 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Blofield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 14:00-17:00; We 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-13:00
North Street, Norwich, NR13 4RQ
About 2 km away
Brundall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-13:00;Tu 14:00-19:00;Th 10:00-13:00;Fr 14:00-17:00;Sa 10:00-13:00
90 The Street, Norwich, NR13 5LH
About 3 km away
Wroxham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,We,Th,Sa 10:00-17:00;Fr 10:00-20:00
Norwich Road, Norwich, NR12 8RX
About 7 km away
St Williams Way Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th,Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00;Tu 14:00-20:00;Sa 10:00-13:00
Williams Loke, Norwich, NR7 0AJ
About 7 km away
Acle Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 14:00-17:00;Tu 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00;Th 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00;Fr 14:00-19:00;Sa 10:00-13:00
Bridewell Lane, Norwich, NR13 3RA
About 7 km away
Plumstead Road Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 13:00-19:00;We,Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00;Sa 10:00-15:30
Plumstead Road, Norwich, NR1 4JS
About 8 km away
Sprowston Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:00-13:00,14:00-20:00; We-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
Recreation Ground Road, Norwich, NR7 8EW
About 8 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 Blofield Heath
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