Settling in · Chelmsley Wood
Landing in Chelmsley Wood? Start here.
The first fortnight in Chelmsley Wood, 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
83 places in Chelmsley Wood 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
The Church of the Firstborn
Christian
181 Wheelwright Road, Birmingham, B24 8HR
About 8 km away
St Johns Church
Christian, Anglican
4 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QN
About 8 km away
England Birmingham Mission
Christian, Mormon. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00
187 Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1JU
About 8 km away
Shirley Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Stratford Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B90 3AL
About 10 km away
All Saints
Christian, Anglican
Coneyford Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B34 7AJ
About 3 km away
Global Evangelistic Outreach Church
Christian
48 Broadstone Road, Birmingham, B26 2BN
About 4 km away
Lyndon Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Melton Avenue, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B92 8HL
About 5 km away
St Margaret's Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
Warwick Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B92 7AR
About 7 km away
Solihull Gospel Hall
Christian
Solihull Bypass, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B91 2AW
About 7 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Faizan e Medina
Muslim. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-23:30
Richmond Road, Birmingham, B33 8TN
About 6 km away
Green Lane Masjid
Muslim, Sunni
20 Green Lane, Birmingham, B9 5DB
About 9 km away
The Hub
Muslim
5-9 Hermitage Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B91 2LL
About 7 km away
Synagogues
Solihull & District Hebrew Congregation
Jewish
3 Monastery Drive, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B91 1DW
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 19 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (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
Oriental Halal Store
Convenience
542-544 Coventry Road, South Yardley, Birmingham, B10 0UN
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Balti Delight
Indian. restaurant
6 Edwards Road, Birmingham, B24 9EP
About 9 km away
Abdul's Cafe and Diner
Indian. cafe. Hours: Su 14:00-21:00; Tu-Th 13:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 14:00-22:00
1191 Stratford Road, Birmingham, B28 8BX
About 9 km away
Taste of Pakistan
Pakistani. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa-Su 06:00-23:00
6 Highgate Road, Birmingham, B12 8DP
About 10 km away
NURA Restaurant
Indian. restaurant
1 The Green, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, CV7 7LN
About 7 km away
Shere Khan
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00
Watson Road, Birmingham, B7 5SA
About 9 km away
Oasis Tandoori Restaurant
Indian. restaurant
130 Stratford Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B90 3BB
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Fox Hollies Leisure Centre
Badminton, swimming, squash. Sports centre
Shirley Road, Birmingham, B27 7NS
About 8 km away
ForceField
Rugby, rugby union, rugby league. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00
184 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 2PY
About 9 km away
B-Active Health and Fitness Centre
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa 07:00-20:00; Su 08:00-20:00
42-44 East Meadway, Birmingham, B33 0AP
About 3 km away
YogoJo
Yoga. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
184 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 2PY
About 9 km away
Air Ninja
Obstacle course. Sports centre
1623-1631 Coventry Road, Birmingham, B26 1DD
About 6 km away
Castle Vale Swimming Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Farnborough Road, Birmingham, B35 7EH
About 5 km away
Firs and Bromford Sports and Community Centre
Sports centre
Cameronian Croft, Birmingham, B36 8UB
About 6 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
K J Tackle & Baits
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
186 Maryland Avenue, Birmingham, B34 6EA
About 5 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
Meriden Village Hall
Community centre
Main Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, CV7 7NG
About 8 km away
Wylde Green Community Hall
Community centre
Emscote Drive, Sutton Coldfield, B73 5NE
About 9 km away
Estia Greek & Cypriot Community Centre
Community centre
Park Approach, Birmingham, B23 7SJ
About 10 km away
Auckland Hall
Community centre
Sunbeam Close, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B36 9JR
About 3 km away
Stechford Social Working Mens Club
Community centre
Northcote Road, Birmingham, B33 9BL
About 6 km away
Catherine de Barnes Village Hall
Community centre
Hampton Lane, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B91 2TJ
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Truman's Barber Shop
Hairdresser
433 Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1AX
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Shard End Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ownall Road, Birmingham, B34 7AH
About 3 km away
Sheldon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Brays Road, Birmingham, B26 2RS
About 4 km away
Water Orton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Mickle Meadow, North Warwickshire, B46 1SN
About 4 km away
Castle Vale Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00
10 High Street, Birmingham, B35 7PR
About 6 km away
South Yardley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Yardley Road, Birmingham, B26 1BU
About 6 km away
Olton Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Warwick Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B92 7AR
About 7 km away
Ward End Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham, B8 2HB
About 7 km away
Acocks Green Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 11:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Tu-Th 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr,Su off
Shirley Road, Birmingham, B27 7XU
About 7 km away
Walmley Library & Community Hall
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1NP
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 Chelmsley Wood
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