Settling in · Bucknall
Landing in Bucknall? Start here.
The first fortnight in Bucknall, 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
80 places in Bucknall 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
Bethal Evangelical Church
Christian, Evangelical
New Hall Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5HQ
About 2 km away
Salvation Army Church
Christian, Salvation army
Camp Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1LF
About 4 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Heathcote Road, Longton, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2LY
About 4 km away
Saint Matthias Hanford Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
54 Church Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4QB
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army - Tunstall
Christian, Salvation army
Dunning Street, Tunstall, ST6 5AP
About 6 km away
Greek Orthodox Church of Panagia Chryseleousa and Saint Marina
Christian
Grosvenor Street
About 4 km away
The West End Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
405 London Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5AW
About 5 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Markaz At-Tawheed (Stoke on Trent City Centre Mosque)
Muslim
Rectory Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4PW
About 3 km away
Keele University Islamic Centre
Muslim, Sunni
Barnes Hall Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 5BP
About 9 km away
The nearest Iglesia ni Cristo to Bucknall
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 48 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 60 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 64 km away
Leyton Crescent Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1PR
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Fri 7:00pm
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
AJ African & Carribean Shop
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00
67 The Strand, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2NS
About 4 km away
Food and takeaways
Bon Pan Asian
Asian. restaurant
Bryan Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5BN
About 2 km away
Peter's Tavern
Polish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-We off; Th 14:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 13:00-23:00; Su 13:00-20:00
43 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1EN
About 2 km away
Hanley Kebab & Pizza House
Pizza, kebab, burger. takeaway
65B Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1HR
About 2 km away
Vietnamese Phoenix Flowers
Vietnamese. restaurant
69A Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1HR
About 2 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Unit 1, Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5NS
About 3 km away
Fortune House
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su,PH 16:30-23:00
85 Macclesfield Street
About 4 km away
Royal Kashmir
Indian. restaurant
99 The Strand, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2NS
About 4 km away
KF Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 16:30-23:00, Fr-Sa 16:30-22:30
682-684 London Road, Stoke on Trent
About 5 km away
The Arch Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th,Su 17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:30
1-3 The Mall, Brunswick Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1TA
About 5 km away
Bauhinia
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00, 17:30-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
2 Lyme Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6NW
About 5 km away
Urban Curry Co.
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 17:00-22:30
8-10 High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1RA
About 6 km away
Oh! India
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Th,Su 17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:30
Mayne Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4RF
About 6 km away
Sports and clubs
Fenton Manor Sports Complex
Swimming, weightlifting, dance, badminton, basketball, soccer, table tennis, netball, volleyball. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:45-22:00; Sa-Su 07:00-19:00
City Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2RR
About 3 km away
Hem Heath Cricket Club
Cricket. Sport club
Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN
About 5 km away
bet365 Stadium
Soccer. Stadium
Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EG
About 5 km away
Kidsgrove Sports Centre
Fitness, swimming, football, badminton, netball, cricket nets, cricket, gym, gymnastics, hockey, futsal, basketball. Sports centre
Fourth Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 1DR
About 10 km away
Bignall End Cricket Club
Sports centre
Boon Hill Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST7 8LA
About 10 km away
Destination Gym
Gymnastics. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00; PH 08:00-18:00
Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6PD
About 5 km away
Jubilee2
Multi. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:30; Sa 06:30-20:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Brunswick Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1HG
About 5 km away
Florence Sports & Social Club
Sport club
Lightwood Road, Stoke on Trent, ST3 4JS
About 6 km away
Laser Quest Stoke
Laser tag. Sports centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1PT
About 6 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Angling Direct
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-We 09:30-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:30
Unit 3, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3NQ
Driving schools
Stoke M T
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-17:00
Unit 4, Dewsbury Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2TE
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
Penkhull Village Hall
Community centre
Trent Valley Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5HN
About 4 km away
The Salvation Army - Newcastle-under-Lyme
Community centre
Bridge Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2RY
About 6 km away
Clayton Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-17:00
Northwood Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 4BT
About 7 km away
Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall
Community centre
Grange Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7BH
About 8 km away
6th Dresden Scouts & Community Hall
Community centre
Wise Street, Stoke on Trent, ST3 4PQ
About 5 km away
Harriet Higgins Community Centre
Community centre
Rotterdam Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2PE
About 7 km away
Tittensor Village Hall
Community centre
Winghouse Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9HW
About 10 km away
Bentilee Community Centre and Council Office
Community centre
Dawlish Drive, ST2 0ET
About 2 km away
Werrington Village Hall
Community centre
Ash Bank Road, Staffordshire Moorlands, ST9 0FF
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Refine Male Grooming
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-15:00
57 Abbots Road, Abbey Hulton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8DU
LDW Hair
Hairdresser
39 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1EN
About 2 km away
Hair Today
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
3 Newcastle Lane, Stoke on Trent, ST4 5DP
About 4 km away
Carly Nelson
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu 09:00-17:00; We-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-16:00
22 Newcastle Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5DR
About 4 km away
ZmN Fades Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su off; PH off
82 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1HX
About 2 km away
Rogers Barber Shops
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:45; Fr 09:00-18:15; Sa 08:30-16:45
11 Ford Green Road, ST6 1NT
About 4 km away
Theresa's Hairdressing Salon
Hairdresser
Princes Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7DW
About 4 km away
Cinemas and libraries
City Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th,Fr 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00; We 09:00-12:30,13:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Broad Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4EU
About 2 km away
Stoke Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00, Fr 09:00-12:30,13:30-16:30
South Wolfe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4SZ
About 4 km away
Longton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,We,Fr 09:00-12:30, 13:30-17:00; Mo 10:00-12:30, 13:30-17:00
Lightwood Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 4HY
About 5 km away
Newcastle Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1BL
About 6 km away
Clayton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-13:00; Mo,We 10:00-16:30
Dartmouth Avenue, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 3PR
About 7 km away
Silverdale Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:00-16:00, Th 09:00-13:00; Fr 10:00-14:00
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 6LY
About 8 km away
Blythe Bridge Community LIbrary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Uttoxeter Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9JR
About 8 km away
Library Core
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2BP
About 3 km away
Werrington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ash Bank Road, Staffordshire Moorlands, ST9 0FF
About 3 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 Bucknall
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