Settling in · Clapham Junction
Landing in Clapham Junction? Start here.
The first fortnight in Clapham Junction, 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
98 places in Clapham Junction 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
All Saints
Christian, Anglican
East Sheen Avenue, London, SW14 8AX
About 6 km away
Saint Peter's Walworth
Christian, Anglican
Liverpool Grove, Greater London, SE17 2HW
About 6 km away
St Dunstan-in-the-West
Christian, Anglican, romanian orthodox
186a Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2HR
About 7 km away
St. Mary-Le-Bow
Christian, Anglican. Hours: We 07:30-18:00; Th 07:30-18:30; Fr 07:30-16:00
Cheapside London, EC2V 6AU
About 8 km away
St Peter's Italian Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
136 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 5DL
About 8 km away
Holy Trinity Richmond
Christian, Anglican
Sheen Park, Richmond, TW9 1UP
About 8 km away
St Olave Hart Street
Christian, Anglican
8 Hart Street, London, EC3R 7NB
About 8 km away
St Helen's Bishopsgate
Christian, Anglican
Great St. Helens, London, EC3A 6AT
About 9 km away
The City Church
Christian
14 Pratt Mews, Greater London, NW1 0AD
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Alhidaya Croydon
Muslim
177 Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7JP
About 9 km away
West London Islamic Cultural Centre
Muslim
7 Bridges Place, Greater London, SW6 4HW
About 3 km away
Muslim World League - London Office
Muslim, Sunni
46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU
About 7 km away
BECA East Street Islamic Centre
Muslim
168-170 Old Kent Road, Greater London, SE17 2SX
About 7 km away
King's Cross Mosque and Islamic Centre
Muslim, Sunni
Cromer Street, King's Cross, London, WC1H 8DU
About 8 km away
Former St Mark's School,
Muslim
245 Old Marylebone Road, City of Westminster, NW1 5EQ
About 6 km away
Hindu temples
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
In the area
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, Wimbledon
About 2 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, Camberwell, London
About 6 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, Notting Hill
About 7 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, Central London
About 7 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, Sutton
About 10 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, North London
About 14 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, Romford
About 15 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, Stratford, London
About 15 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, 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, Heathrow, London
About 18 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)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 18 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, Orpington
About 25 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, Guildford
About 39 km away
Onslow Hall (Main Hall), Wilderness Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7 QR
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hertfordshire
About 43 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (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
Herne Hill Convenience Store
Alcohol
87 Norwood Road, Greater London, SE24 9AA
About 5 km away
Baker St. News & Convenience
Newsagent
202 Baker Street, City of Westminster, NW1 5RT
About 7 km away
Shreeji News & Convenience Store
Newsagent
20 Museum Street, Greater London, WC1A 1JN
About 7 km away
Food and takeaways
Yamal AlSham
Mediterranean, lebanese, syrian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00
5 The Boulevard, Greater London, SW6 2UB
Yucca's
Mexican. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:30, Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-22:00
496 Fulham Road, Greater London, SW6 5NH
About 3 km away
Quinta
Mexican. restaurant. Hours: Mo-We 11:30-22:00, Th-Fr 11:30-23:00, Sa 09:30-22:00, Su 10:30-22:00
18 Bute Street, Greater London, SW7 3EX
About 4 km away
Awesome Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 18:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,18:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
68 Church Road, London, SW13 0DQ
About 5 km away
Bombay Delight
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-15:00, 17:30-22:30; Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-22:00
271-273 The Broadway, Greater London, SW19 1SD
About 5 km away
Waakye Joint
African. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 13:00-00:00
440 Streatham High Road, Greater London, SW16 3PX
About 5 km away
Shu Xiang Ge Hot Pot
Chinese. restaurant
10-12 Goldhawk Road, Greater London, W12 8QQ
About 6 km away
The Merge
Caribbean. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-22:00; Sa-Su 14:00-23:00
Unit 247, 248, Pelier Street, Greater London, SE17 3JG
About 6 km away
Maroush
Lebanese. restaurant
21 Edgware Road, City of Westminster, W2 2JE
About 6 km away
Maroush Gardens
Lebanese. restaurant
1 Connaught Street, City of Westminster, W2 2AF
About 6 km away
Secret Recipe
Chinese, thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:30
73 Sheen Lane, East Sheen, London, SW14 8AD
About 7 km away
Kaalika
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We,Th 17:00-22:00, Fr 17:00-23:00, Sa 16:00-23:00, Su 16:00-22:00
425 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, London, SW14 7PJ
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
London Welsh RFC
Rugby union. Sport club
187 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2AZ
About 8 km away
Richmond Fitness Club
Martial arts. Sports centre
Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2NA
About 9 km away
The Spencer Club
Cricket, tennis, field hockey, squash, lacrosse, netball. Sports centre
Openview Greater London, SW18 3PD
About 2 km away
Ibstock Sports Hall
Tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cricket, running. Sports centre
Clarence Lane, Greater London, SW15 5QA
About 5 km away
Twyford Avenue Sports Ground
Rugby union, rugby league, running. Sports centre
Twyford Avenue, Greater London, W3 9PZ
About 9 km away
Sheen Park Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Fife Road, Greater London, SW14 7EW
About 7 km away
Club House
Cricket, football, rugby union. Sports centre
Coombe Lane, Greater London, SW20 0PH
About 7 km away
Old Deer Park Sports Ground
Rugby union, archery, tennis, cricket, bowls. Sports centre
187 Kew Road, Greater London, TW9 2BB
About 9 km away
Driving schools
Enjoy More Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00
Wilmer Crescent, Greater London, KT2 5LU
About 9 km away
GoodLuck Driving School
Driving school
33 Rawnsley Avenue, Greater London, CR4 4BS
About 7 km away
Earlsfield School Of Motoring
Driving school
360 Garratt Lane, Greater London, SW18 4ES
About 2 km away
Holborn School Of Motoring
Driving school
Clerkenwell Road, Greater London, EC1R 4PP
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
London Welsh Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:00-21:00; Tu-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
157-163 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8UE
About 8 km away
Doreen Bazell Hall
Community centre. Hours: 12:00-18:00
1 Goldington Street, London
About 9 km away
Portsoken Community Centre
Community centre
20 Little Somerset Street, London, E1 8AH
About 9 km away
West Hampstead Women's Centre
Community centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00
26-30 Cotleigh Road, London, NW6 2NP
About 9 km away
Sidings Community Centre
Community centre
150 Brassey Road, London, NW6 2BA
About 10 km away
Powerstation Youth Centre
Community centre
121 Mortlake High Street, Mortlake, London, SW14 8SW
About 6 km away
Covent Garden Community Centre
Community centre
42 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LA
About 7 km away
Healthy Living & Learning Centre, Age UK Lewisham and Southwark
Community centre
95 Southwark Park Road, Greater London, SE16 3TY
About 8 km away
Somers Town Community Centre
Community centre
150 Ossulston Street, London, NW1 1EE
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Afro hair specialists
3D Afro & European
Hairdresser
272 Uxbridge Road, Greater London, W12 7JA
About 6 km away
Barbers and salons
Barnes & Bray
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-18:00
352 Old York Road, Greater London, SW18 1SS
Atelier Chelsea
Hairdresser
374 King's Road, Greater London, SW3 5ET
About 2 km away
Hari's Hairdressers
Hairdresser
233 King's Road, Greater London, SW3 5AW
About 3 km away
Ted's Grooming Room
Hairdresser
136 King's Road, Greater London, SW3 4XB
About 3 km away
Sassoon Hair Salon
Hairdresser
124c King's Road, Greater London, SW3 4XB
About 3 km away
Andrew Stephen Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 9:00-18:00; We-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 9:00-18:00
7 Rocks Lane, London, SW13 0DB
About 5 km away
Fowler35
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa,Su 09:00-18:00
35 Windmill Street, London, W1T 2JS
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
The Cinema in the Arches
Cinema
22 Arches Lane, Greater London, SW11 8AB
About 3 km away
Tooting Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Su 13:00-17:00; Mo-Tu 09:00-19:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00
75 Mitcham Road, Greater London, SW17 9PD
About 4 km away
Brixton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-20:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; We,Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Brixton Oval, Greater London, SW2 1JQ
About 4 km away
Whirled Cinema
Cinema
259 Hardess Street, Greater London, SE24 0HN
About 5 km away
Picturehouse Central
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su
Great Windmill Street, City of Westminster, W1D 7DH
About 6 km away
Paddington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Porchester Road, City of Westminster, W2 5DS
About 6 km away
BFI Southbank
Cinema
1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, Greater London, SE1 8XR
About 6 km away
Askew Road Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-17:00
87/91 Askew Road, Greater London, W12 9AU
About 7 km away
Upper Norwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-We, Fr-Sa 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-20:00
39 Westow Hill, Greater London, SE19 1TJ
About 8 km away
British Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-20:00; Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00; Fr 09:30-18:00
96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
About 8 km away
Swiss Cottage Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off; PH off
88 Avenue Road, Greater London, NW3 3HA
About 9 km away
Electric Cinema
Cinema
64-66 Redchurch Street, Greater London, E2 7DP
About 10 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 Clapham Junction
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