Settling in · Chigwell
Landing in Chigwell? Start here.
The first fortnight in Chigwell, 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
96 places in Chigwell 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
St Stephens Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
146 Little Ilford Lane, London, E12 5PJ
About 8 km away
Manor Park Christian Centre
Christian, Evangelical
454 High Street North, London, E12 6RH
About 8 km away
The Healing Church of God in Christ
Christian, Evangelical
62 Field Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 9DL
About 9 km away
The Salvation Army - Waltham Abbey
Christian, Salvation army
Sewardstone Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1HZ
About 9 km away
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Lazarus and St. Andrew the Apostle
Christian, Greek orthodox
Rutland Road, London, E7 8PH
About 9 km away
St. Paul's Church, Stratford
Christian, Anglican
Maryland Road, London, E15 1JL
About 10 km away
Heritage Hub
Christian, Evangelical
96 Romford Road, Stratford, London, E15 4EQ
About 10 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Hindu temples
London Sri Murugan Temple
Hindu
78 Church Road, Greater London, E12 6AF
About 8 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Synagogues
East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue
Jewish, Liberal
Marlborough Road, Greater London, E18 1AR
About 5 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 11 km away
25 MEATH ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 3DS, ENGLAND
Worship services: Wed 7:00am · Wed 7:00pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sun 9:00am · Sun 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 11 km away
Temporarily using, Stratford chapel, 25 Meath road, London, England, E15 3DS
Worship services: Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children) · Sat 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 16 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 18 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 20 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 22 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 23 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 23 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 26 km away
The Clock Tower Pavillon, Swanley Town Council, St. Mary's road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 27 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hertfordshire
About 30 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 33 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 38 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southend
About 41 km away
71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 10:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 41 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:15pm (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
Himalaya Halal Meat
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-19:00
3 Carlton Terrace, Forest Gate, London, E7 8LH
About 9 km away
Wa Na Hong Oriental Supermarket
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 12:00-18:00
15-19 Penny Brookes Street, London, E20 1BN
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Pak Choi
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-23:00; Sa-Su 14:00-23:00
202 High Road, Loughton, IG10 1ET
About 3 km away
A1 Kebabish Grill
Pakistani, kebab. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-01:00
684 Romford Road, London, E12 5AJ
About 8 km away
Priya Restaurant
Sri lankan, indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00
209 High Street North, London, E6 1JG
About 9 km away
Roti Joupa
Caribbean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su off
85 Vicarage Lane, London, E15 4HG
About 10 km away
Great Wall
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 17:00-22:00; Tu off
12 Roding Lane South, Greater London, IG4 5PD
About 5 km away
Aromas Tandoori Restaurant
Nepalese, curry, indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
172 Forest Lane, Greater London, E7 9BB
About 9 km away
Nawabi Dine
Regional, kebab, breakfast, asian, diner, fine dining, salad, fries, kacchi biriyani, pilao, bhuna khichuri, shingara, tandurichicken, plainnan, kalabhuna, steam momo, marogpilau, mixvegetable, paratha. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
26 Plashet Grove, Greater London, E6 1AE
About 10 km away
Kyto Pan-Asian Restaurant
Asian. restaurant
692-294 Chigwell Road, Greater London, IG8 8AL
About 2 km away
Sports and clubs
Wanstead Leisure Centre
Badminton, basketball, fitness, gymnastics, netball, squash, volleyball. Sports centre
Redbridge Lane West, Greater London, E11 2JZ
About 6 km away
Arsenal Football Club Youth Academy
Sports centre
Wadham Road, Greater London, E17 4LU
About 6 km away
The Gym Factory
Fitness, weightlifting. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00
7-9 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0NG
About 8 km away
Gym Spot
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo 08:00-21:00, Tu 12:15-21:00, We 07:30-21:00, Th 12:15-21:00, Fr 07:30-21:00, Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 10:00-15:00
205a Plashet Road, London, E13 0QZ
About 10 km away
Lee Valley VeloPark
Track cycling, pickleball. Stadium
Abercrombie Road, London, E20 3AB
About 10 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Kims School of Motoring
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
Oak Hill Road, Epping Forest, RM4 1JL
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
Umm Al-Qura Centre
Community centre
530-542 High Street North, London, E12 6QN
About 8 km away
Tiptree Crescent Community Centre
Community centre
Tiptree Crescent, Greater London, IG5 0SY
About 3 km away
Keith Axon Centre
Community centre
160-170 Grove Road, Greater London, RM6 4XB
About 6 km away
Redbridge Jewish Community Centre
Community centre
Woodford Bridge Road, Greater London, IG4 5LN
About 4 km away
Coney Burrows Community Centre
Community centre
Coney Burrows, Greater London, E4 6EQ
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Noir Hair Salon
Hairdresser
193 Wood Street, Greater London, E17 3NT
About 7 km away
Maryland Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
55C Leytonstone Road, Maryland, London, E15 1JA
About 9 km away
Blue Tit
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00;Sa 10:00-19:00;Su 10:00-18:00
70 Celebration Avenue, London, E20 1DB
About 10 km away
Ali Hairdresser
Hairdresser
121 Belgrave Road, Greater London, IG1 3EF
About 6 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Lumiere Cinema Romford
Cinema
Exon Apartments, Greater London, RM1 3EE
About 9 km away
Ordnance Unity Centre Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00
Ordnance Road, Greater London, EN3 6AF
About 10 km away
Robert Jayes Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Road, Greater London, RM6 6AS
About 7 km away
Harrow Green Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
2-4 Cathall Road, Greater London, E11 4LF
About 8 km away
The Gate Forest Gate Community Neighbourhood
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00
6-8 Woodgrange Road, London, E7 0QH
About 9 km away
Fullwell Cross Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
140 High Street, Greater London, IG6 2EA
About 3 km away
Woodford Green Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bairny Wood Approach, Greater London, IG8 0DX
About 3 km away
South Woodford Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Queen Mary Avenue, Greater London, E18 2QH
About 4 km away
Gants Hill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
490 Cranbrook Road, Greater London, IG2 6RE
About 5 km away
Hale End Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Avenue, Greater London, E4 9QQ
About 5 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 Chigwell
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