Settling in · Bristol
Landing in Bristol? Start here.
The first fortnight in Bristol, 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
87 places in Bristol 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
Christ Church Clifton
Christian, Anglican
Clifton Down Road, Bristol, BS8 3BN
Horfield Quaker Meeting
Christian, Quaker
300 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8PD
About 3 km away
St Pius X Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
Gatehouse Avenue, Bristol, BS13 9AB
About 5 km away
Hillfields Park Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Thicket Avenue, Bristol, BS16 4EH
About 6 km away
Keynsham Elim Church
Christian, Pentecostal
Balmoral Road, Bristol, BS31 1AL
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Gurdwaras
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 12 km away
Manor Hall, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2TG
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 32 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 38 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
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
MeyZe
Turkish, mediterranean. restaurant
16 Chandos Road, Bristol, BS6 6PL
About 2 km away
Suyuan Bistro
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:00-16:00, 17:30-23:00; Sa 09:00-23:00; Su 09:00-20:00
131 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AX
About 2 km away
The Saigon Kitchen
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: Th-Sa 12:00-14:30, Mo-Sa 18:00-22:00; Su 12:00-22:00
25 Zetland Road, Bristol, BS6 7AH
About 2 km away
Xing Long
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
287 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8NY
About 3 km away
Per & Kor
Korean, persian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 18:00-23:00
362 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8TP
About 4 km away
Fusion Delights
Indian, mexican. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 07:00-23:00; Mo off
138 Gloucester Road North, Bristol, BS34 7BQ
About 7 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Su-We 11:30-22:00; Th-Sa 11:30-22:30
5C Station Road, Bristol, BS34 7JL
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Portway Rugby Development Centre
Rugby union. Sports centre
Woodleaze Bristol, BS9 2HY
About 5 km away
Bristol Harlequins R.F.C.
Rugby union. Sports centre
Broomhill Road, Bristol, BS4 5RG
About 5 km away
Elm Park Leisure Centre
Swimming, fitness. Sports centre
Elm Park, Bristol, BS34 7PS
About 6 km away
Bristol Activity Centre
Shooting, karting, paintball, axe throwing. Sports centre
Hollywood Lane, Bristol, BS10 7TW
About 8 km away
Days out and things to do
Bloc Climbing
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa,Su 10:00-18:00; SH 10:00-22:00
New Gatton Road, Bristol, BS2 9SH
About 3 km away
TeamSport Bristol
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00
Avonmouth Way, Bristol, BS11 9YA
About 8 km away
Hengrove Park Leisure Centre Climbing Wall
Sports centre
Hengrove Promenade, Bristol, BS14 0FE
About 5 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
The Old Library
Community centre. Hours: We 10:00-16:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-14:00
613 Muller Road, Bristol, BS5 6XP
About 3 km away
Stapleton & Begbrook Club
Community centre
Frenchay Park Road, Bristol, BS16 1HY
About 6 km away
Barrow Gurney Village Hall
Community centre
Barrow Street, Barrow Gurney, BS48 3SD
About 7 km away
Jarman Hall
Community centre. Hours: "Hall available for hire. various time slots available"
Sydenham Road, Bristol, BS4 3DF
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Bloggs Salons
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 08:00-17:00; We 08:00-20:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-17:00
288c Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8PD
About 3 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Arts & Social Sciences Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TJ
Clifton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 10:00-14:00; Tu,Th,Sa 13:00-17:00
13 Princess Victoria Street, Bristol, BS8 4BX
Redland Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr,Sa 11:00-17:00; We 11:00-19:00
Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2PY
About 2 km away
Bradley Stoke Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:30-12:30
1 Fiddlers Wood Lane, Bradley Stoke, BS32 9BS
About 10 km away
Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:30-17:00; Tu,Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 13:00-17:00
Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5TL
Queen's Building Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TR
Chemistry Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00
Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS
Wills Memorial Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Queen's Road, Bristol, BS1 5AL
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 Bristol
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