Settling in · Bournemouth
Landing in Bournemouth? Start here.
The first fortnight in Bournemouth, 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
94 places in Bournemouth 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
Saint John's Boscombe
Christian, Anglican
Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4AD
About 2 km away
Breath of Life Church
Christian
St Mary's Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4QP
About 2 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
1 Latimer Road, Bournemouth, BH9 1JY
About 2 km away
BH1 Elim Church
Christian, Elim pentecostal
50 Curzon Road, BH1 4PP
About 2 km away
Boscombe Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
76 Palmerston Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4HT
About 3 km away
Hope Community Church
Christian, Pentecostal
Hawthorn Road, Bournemouth, BH9 2QL
About 3 km away
The Salvation Army - Branksome
Christian, Salvation army
Davis Road, Parkstone, Poole, BH12 2BA
About 4 km away
Parkstone Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
11 Loch Road, Poole, BH14 9EX
About 4 km away
Pokesdown Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Norwood Place, Bournmouth, BH5 2AT
About 4 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Poole Mosque
Muslim, Sunni
59-61 Ashley Road, Poole, BH14 9BT
About 4 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bournemouth
About 3 km away
673 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6AA
Worship services: Thu 6:15pm · Sat 10:30am · Sat 12:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southampton
About 38 km away
St. Peter's Church, Lockerly Cresent, Southampton, SO16 4ER
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm · Sat 6:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Salisbury
About 39 km away
URC hall, 30 Fisherton St. Salisbury, SP2 7RG England
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm
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
Osas Afro Caribbean Shop
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su off
512 Christchurch Road, BH1 4BE
About 2 km away
Boscombe International Food Store
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00
524-528 Christchurch Road
About 3 km away
Polish Market
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-20:00; Su 10:00-20:00
532-534 Christchurch Road, BH1 4BE
About 3 km away
Euro Supermarket
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-22:00; Su 09:00-22:00
673-675 Christchurch Road
About 3 km away
Seafront Mini Market
Convenience
Polski Sklep
Convenience
Food and takeaways
Beirut Lounge
Lebanese, middle eastern. restaurant
232 Old Christchurch Road, BH1 1PE
China Fusion
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
195 Bournemouth Road, Poole, BH14 9HU
About 4 km away
Sammi's Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 18:00-00:00
189 Bournemouth Road, Poole, BH14 9HU
About 4 km away
Lotus Lounge
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,17:00-23:00
99 Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JD
About 5 km away
Top Wok
Chinese. takeaway
141 Barrack Road, Christchurch, BH23 2AW
About 6 km away
Koh Thai
Thai. restaurant
8-10 Castle Street, Christchurch, BH23 1DT
About 7 km away
Sakuna Khrua Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 17:30-21:30; Fr,Sa 17:30-22:00
18 High Street, BH15 1BP
About 8 km away
Khybar Indian Takeaway
Indian. takeaway
259 Blandford Road, Poole, BH15 4HW
About 9 km away
Chutney Corner Indian Takeaway
Indian. restaurant
190 Somerford Road, BH23 3QG
About 10 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00
31-32 Westover Road, BH1 2BZ
Sports and clubs
Two Riversmeet
Multi, soccer, swimming, weightlifting, golf, gym. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-23:00; Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 08:00-22:00
Stony Lane South, Christchurch, BH23 1HW
About 8 km away
Lions of Judah Boxing Academy
Boxing. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 13:00-17:00
2 Wilson Road
About 2 km away
Ashdown Leisure Centre
Badminton, basketball, netball, tennis, athletics. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:30-21:45, Fr 06:30-21:00, Sa-Su 08:00-18:00
Adastral Road, Poole, BH17 8RE
About 7 km away
Bournemouth Electric Club
Soccer, bowls, darts. Sport club
Broadway Lane, Bournemouth, BH8 0AA
About 4 km away
Majestic Gym
Boxing, fitness, weightlifting. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-21:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 09:00-12:00
12 Roumelia Lane
About 2 km away
The Engine Room
Boxing. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 18:00-20:00; Tu,Th 17:00-18:30
3 Hannington Place
About 4 km away
Queens Park Gym
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-22:00; Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa,Su 08:00-17:00
61 Queens Park South Drive
About 3 km away
Littledown Centre
Swimming, fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 07:30-18:00
BH7 7DX
About 5 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Tackle 914
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:30
914 Christchurch Road
About 4 km away
Wessex angling
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 3DH
About 7 km away
Christchurch Angling
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-Sa 07:30-17:30; Su 07:30-12:30
About 5 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
A2B School Of Motorcycling
Driving school
Alder Road, Bournemouth, BH12 4AB
About 3 km away
TizWaz
Driving school. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
652 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, BH9 2AR
About 3 km away
Community and support groups
Sopley Parish Hall
Community centre
Priest Lane, New Forest, BH23 7AY
About 9 km away
Somerford ARC
Community centre
20 Southey Road, Christchurch, BH23 3EH
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Anatolia
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
19 Church Street
About 7 km away
Barbers and salons
R1 Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-19:00
554 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, BH9 2ER
About 3 km away
Top Knots Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser
Ringwood Road, Ferndown, BH22 9AT
About 9 km away
The Barbers Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-17:00; Th 08:30-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
216 Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone, BH18 8DX
About 9 km away
Razorhead Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:30-17:30; Tu-Th 09:30-17:30; Fr 09:30-18:30; Sa 09:00-16:00
264 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1PF
Francesco
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-17:30, Th-Fr 09:00-19:00, Sa 08:30-17:30
69 Seamoor Road, Bournemouth
About 2 km away
Mint
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-18:00, Tu-Th 10:00-19:00, Fr 09:00-21:00, Sa 08:00-18:00, Su 11:00-16:00
71 Seamoor Road
About 2 km away
Hasluck's
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 08:30-17:00
10 Poole, BH14 9NB
About 3 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Winton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu, Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; Th 09:30-18:00; Mo,We,Su off
624 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, BH9 2EN
About 3 km away
Tuckton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wick Lane, Wick, BH6 4LF
About 6 km away
Canford Heath Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th,Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Tu,We,Su off; Fr 13:00-18:00
Mitchell Road, Poole, BH17 8UE
About 7 km away
Bournemouth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
22 The Triangle, BH2 5RQ
Westbourne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr,Sa 09:30-13:00; Tu,Th 09:30-18:00; We,Su off
Alum Chine Road, Bournemouth, BH4 8DX
About 2 km away
Springbourne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Th,Sa 10:00-13:00; We,Fr,Su off
Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8BX
About 2 km away
Boscombe Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-18:00; We,Th 09:30-17:00; Fr,Sa 09:30-13:00; Su,Tu off
32 Hawkwood Road, BH5 1BY
About 3 km away
Charminster Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:30-17:00; Tu 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; We,Fr,Su off
Strouden Avenue, Bournemouth, BH8 9HT
About 3 km away
Canford Cliffs Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,We,Fr 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Tu,We,Su off
6 Western Road, Bournemouth, BH13 7BN
About 3 km away
Ensbury Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Fr 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Mo,We,Su off
31 Columbia Road, Bournemouth, BH10 4DZ
About 4 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 Bournemouth
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