Settling in · Boldon
Landing in Boldon? Start here.
The first fortnight in Boldon, 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
78 places in Boldon 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
Sunderland Minster
Christian, Anglican
High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3ET
About 6 km away
St Stephen's Church
Christian, Anglican
Mile End Road, South Tyneside, NE33 1TF
About 7 km away
Walker Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
Duncan Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3BS
About 7 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
28 Howard Street, North Tyneside, NE30 1AR
About 7 km away
Kings Castle
Christian
Brinkburn Street South, Newcastle Upon Tyne
About 9 km away
Saint Bernadette
Christian, Roman catholic
Station Road, North Tyneside, NE28 8AE
About 9 km away
St Matthew's Church
Christian, Anglican
Front Street, Sunderland, DH4 4EP
About 10 km away
St Oswald's Church
Christian, Anglican
Gladwyn Road, Sunderland, SR4 9QY
About 6 km away
People's Mission
Christian, Evangelical
Fort Street, South Tyneside, NE33 2AR
About 7 km away
Synagogues
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, North Shields
About 7 km away
1A Stormont Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 OEY
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (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
Shops from home
Afro Asian Food Market
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00
Durham Road, Birtley, DH3 2PG
About 10 km away
Jimmy's Coffee & Convenience
Books. Hours: Mo-Tu off; We-Fr 07:00-13:00; Sa-Su 07:00-15:00
Station Terrace, North Tyneside, NE30 4RE
About 8 km away
Heaton Halal Superstore
Convenience
236 - 238, Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5LP
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Siam Supreme
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Th-Su 15:00-22:00
160 Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5HP
About 10 km away
Monsun
Indian. restaurant
534 Durham Road, Gateshead, NE9 6HU
About 10 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant
Unit 1, Kingfisher Way, North Tyneside, NE28 9ND
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Gateshead Rugby Football Club
Rugby football. Sports centre
Eastwood Gardens, Gateshead, NE9 5UB
About 9 km away
Newcastle United Academy
Soccer. Sports centre
Newcastle United Academy, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7GH
About 10 km away
Haven Point
Swimming. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00
Pier Parade, South Tyneside, NE33 2JS
About 7 km away
Washington Leisure Centre
Sports centre
Independence Square, Sunderland, NE38 7SS
About 7 km away
Tynemouth Swimming Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Beach Road, North Tyneside, NE29 9PX
About 9 km away
Benfield Centre for Sporting excellence
Sports centre
Benfield Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4NU
About 9 km away
Newcastle Climbing Centre
Climbing. Sports centre
Shields Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne
About 9 km away
East End Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Hadrian Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1AL
About 9 km away
Climb Newcastle @ The Pool
Climbing. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 14:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-17:00
Shipley Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2DQ
About 9 km away
Gateshead Leisure Centre
Sports centre
Alexandra Road, Gateshead, NE8 4JA
About 10 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Tyneside Angling
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
Shields Road West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1JN
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
The Valley
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-20:00
Quality Row, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LN
About 10 km away
Driving schools
Art Of Motorcycling
Driving school
4 Elm Road, North Tyneside, NE29 8SE
About 9 km away
Community and support groups
Lukes Lane Community Centre
Community centre
Marine Drive, South Tyneside, NE31 2BA
About 4 km away
Apna Ghar Minority Ethnic Women's Centre
Community centre
124 Ocean Road, South Tyneside, NE33 2JF
About 6 km away
The Cedarwood Trust
Community centre
43 Avon Avenue, North Tyneside, NE29 7QT
About 7 km away
Linskill Centre
Community centre
Linskill Terrace, North Tyneside, NE30 2AY
About 8 km away
Heaton Community Centre
Community centre
Trewhitt Road, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5DY
About 9 km away
Joseph Cowan Healthcare Centre
Community centre
8 Wilfred Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1JQ
About 10 km away
Whitleas Community Centre
Community centre
Hogarth Road, South Tyneside, NE34 8HG
About 2 km away
St Martins Centre
Community centre
Roman Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2RJ
About 8 km away
Tyneside Women's Health
Community centre
17 - 19, Wilfred Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1JQ
About 10 km away
Southwick Youth & Community Centre
Community centre
Church Street, Sunderland, SR5 2HR
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Rascals Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 10:00-19:00; Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-14:00
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2HL
About 9 km away
Compton's Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-16:00
197 Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1DP
About 9 km away
Hair By Given & Hall
Hairdresser
Stanhope Road, South Tyneside, NE33 4BP
About 5 km away
Cutloose Unisex Hair Studio
Hairdresser
Coston Drive, South Tyneside, NE33 2DT
About 6 km away
Plush Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser
Saville Street, North Tyneside, NE30 1AY
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
North Shields Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-13:00
Northumberland Square, North Tyneside, NE30 1QU
About 7 km away
Gateshead Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:00-19:00; Tu,We,Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off
Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN
About 10 km away
Boldon Lane Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Boldon Lane, South Tyneside, NE34 0LG
About 3 km away
Whitburn Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bowman Street, South Tyneside, SR6 7AA
About 5 km away
The Murray Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Chester Road, Sunderland, SR1 3SD
About 6 km away
Felling Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Gateshead, NE10 9LT
About 8 km away
East End Library And Customer Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-16:30; We off
83-85 Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1DL
About 9 km away
St. Peter's Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00 "Generally available, may differ"
St Peter's Way, Sunderland, SR6 0DD
About 6 km away
Washington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:30-17:00; We 09:30-19:00; Th-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
Independence Square, Sunderland, NE38 7RZ
About 7 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 Boldon
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