Settling in · Cotgrave
Landing in Cotgrave? Start here.
The first fortnight in Cotgrave, 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
84 places in Cotgrave 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. Mary & St. George's Coptic Orthodox Church
Christian, Coptic orthodox
Nottingham NG3 2FH
About 8 km away
The Congregation of Yahweh
Christian
27a Carlton Road, Nottingham, NG3 2DG
About 8 km away
William Booth Memorial Halls
Christian, Salvation army
King Edward Street, Nottingham, NG1 1EU
About 8 km away
Christ Citadel Christian Centre
Christian, Christ citadel. Hours: We,Fr 18:00-19:30; Su 10:00-12:00, 18:00-19:30
20 St Ann's Well Road, St Ann's, Nottingham, NG3 1EJ
About 8 km away
Nottingham Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
Christian, Seventh day adventist. Hours: We 19:30-21:00; Tu 10:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-11:00, 11:15-13:00, 16:30-18:30
St Ann's Well Road, St Ann's, Nottingham, NG3 1EJ
About 8 km away
Hope Church Nottingham
Christian, Anglican
Clifton Nottingham, NG11 8AR
About 9 km away
Ministry of Restoration
Christian, Pentecostal
39-41 Swansdowne Drive, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 8HW
About 9 km away
West Bridgford Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
North Road, Nottingham, NG2 7NF
About 6 km away
Carlton Cemetery Chapel
Christian
Cavendish Road, Nottingham, NG4 3EF
About 7 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Baitul Hafeez Mosque
Muslim, Ahmadiyya
308 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, NG3 7DN
About 7 km away
Jamia Masjid Sultania And Education Centre
Muslim
54 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, NG2 4HE
About 7 km away
Hindu temples
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 11 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
Dammy's African & Caribbean Food Store
Convenience
3 Carlton Road, Nottingham, NG3 2DG
About 8 km away
Bazaar Food Store
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
156-158 Wilford Grove, Nottingham, NG2 2DW
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Oasis
Kebab, burger. takeaway
42 Bath Street, Nottingham, NG1 1DF
About 8 km away
Mowgli Street Food
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:30-22:30; Su 11:30-21:30
1 Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1LG
About 8 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
12 Angel Row, Nottingham, NG1 6HL
About 9 km away
Tipoo
Kebab, burger, pizza, chicken. takeaway
60-62 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NN
About 10 km away
Tokyo Way
Japanese, chinese. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo 13:00-23:00; Tu off
8 Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 2ES
About 10 km away
Tasty Bites
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 11:00-01:00; Fr 11:30-03:00; Sa 11:00-03:00
1B Arkwright Street, Nottingham, NG2 2JR
About 8 km away
Baba Restaurant Nottingham
Turkish. restaurant
3-5 Gedling Street, Nottingham, NG1 1DS
About 8 km away
KOKORO
Japanese, korean, sushi. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-19:00
7-8 Exchange Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2NX
About 8 km away
Sarangchae
Korean. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Sa 11:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00
278-280 Huntingdon Street, Nottingham, NG1 3NA
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Meadow Lane Stadium
Soccer. Stadium
Meadow Lane, Nottingham, NG2 3HJ
About 7 km away
Nottingham School of Blackbelts
Martial arts, kickboxing. Sports centre
Brightmoor Street, Nottingham, NG1 1FD
About 8 km away
Nottingham Outlaws
Rugby league. Sports centre
Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2SA
About 9 km away
Notts Unity Casuals Cricket Club;Bilborough Pelican FC
Cricket, soccer. Sports centre
Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2SA
About 9 km away
Adbolton Sports Ground
Rugby union. Sports centre
Adbolton Lane, Nottingham, NG2 5AS
About 5 km away
Nottingham Powerleague
Soccer. Sports centre
Thane Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TG
About 9 km away
Dave Eastwood Sports Ground (Pelican Colts FC)
Soccer. Sports centre
Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2SA
About 9 km away
Carlton le Willows Academy : Table-Tennis Centre
Table tennis. Sports centre
Wood Lane, Nottingham, NG4 4AA
About 7 km away
Community and support groups
Mowbray Court
Community centre
1 Mowbray Court, St Ann's, Nottingham, NG3 1LE
About 8 km away
Good Companions
Community centre
Simone Gardens, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 8BG
About 9 km away
Westdale Lane Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:30
Westdale Lane West, Nottingham, NG3 6ES
About 9 km away
Haywood Road Community Association
Community centre
46 Haywood Road, Nottingham, NG3 6AD
About 9 km away
Butt Field Sports Pavilion
Community centre
Moorbridge Road, Nottingham, NG13 8GG
About 8 km away
Silverdale Community Centre
Community centre
The Downs, Nottingham, NG11 7EB
About 8 km away
Bellevue Community Centre
Community centre
Bellevue Court, St Ann's, Nottingham, NG3 3NA
About 8 km away
Hope Centre
Community centre
2 Southchurch Drive, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 8AR
About 9 km away
Upper Saxondale Community Hall
Community centre
Millenium Walk, Nottingham, NG12 2NT
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Barbers and salons
Your Look Hair and Beauty Salon
Hairdresser
14-16 Wheeler Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2NB
About 8 km away
The Loft Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
11-13 Trinity Square, Nottingham, NG1 4AF
About 9 km away
Hairport Barbershop
Hairdresser
Hurts Yard, Nottingham, NG1 6JD
About 9 km away
Mark’s Barbers Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
98 Oakdale Road, Nottingham, NG3 7EH
About 7 km away
Grace Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
5 Carlton Road, Nottingham, NG3 2DG
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Gedling Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:30-12:30; Th 16:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-13:00
Wollaton Avenue, Nottingham, NG4 4HX
About 8 km away
Clifton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-17:30; We, Sa 09:30-13:00; PH,Su off
Southchurch Drive, Nottingham, NG11 8AB
About 9 km away
Manuscripts and Special Collections
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2NR
About 9 km away
Mapperley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-18:30; Tu,Th,Sa 09:30-13:00; We,Fr 14:00-17:00
454 Westdale Lane West, Nottingham, NG3 6DG
About 10 km away
Radcliffe-on-Trent Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
New Road, Rushcliffe, NG12 2AJ
About 4 km away
Keyworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Church Drive, Nottingham, NG12 5FF
About 5 km away
West Bridgford Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We-Th 08:30-18:00; Tu 08:30-19:00; Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 10:30-15:30
Bridgford Road, Nottingham, NG2 6AT
About 6 km away
Sneinton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Sneinton Boulevard, Nottingham, NG2 4FD
About 7 km away
Meadows Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:30-17:30; Sa 10:00-14:00
Wilford Grove, Nottingham, NG2 2DR
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 Cotgrave
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