Settling in · Dalton-in-Furness
Landing in Dalton-in-Furness? Start here.
The first fortnight in Dalton-in-Furness, 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
65 places in Dalton-in-Furness 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.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
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
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Nelson Street, Millom, LA18 4DW
About 8 km away
Abbey Road Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
27 Carlton Avenue, Barrow, LA13 9AT
About 5 km away
Ramsden Street United Reformed Church
Christian
Ramsden Street, Barrow, LA14 2BU
About 5 km away
Ulverston Parish Church - St Mary's and Holy Trinity
Christian, Anglican
Church Walk, Ulverston, LA12 7EN
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Blackpool
About 38 km away
Spencer Court Community Centre, Spencer Court, Blackpool, FY1 3TW, England
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sun 11:00am
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
Food and takeaways
Sports and clubs
Ulverston Park Sports Club
Badminton. Sports centre
Pulman Road, Ulverston, LA12 9EG
About 9 km away
Askam Rugby League Club
Rugby league. Sports centre
Sandy Lane, Askam-in-Furness, LA16 7BD
About 4 km away
Walney Central Rugby Club
Rugby league. Sports centre
Central Drive, Barrow, LA14 3HY
About 7 km away
Ulverston Leisure Centre
Swimming. Sports centre
Priory Road, Ulverston, LA12 9HT
About 7 km away
Port Haverigg Wakepark
Sports centre
Outer Barrier, Millom, LA18 4LG
About 8 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
17th Barrow (St Perran's) Scout Hall & Community Centre
Community centre
Yarlside Road, Barrow, LA13 0EX
About 4 km away
The Fairfield Function Suite
Community centre
12 Fairfield Lane, Barrow, LA13 9AH
About 4 km away
Askam & Ireleth Community Centre
Community centre
Duke Street, Askam-in-Furness, LA16 7AD
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
Dalton-in-Furness Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Nelson Street, Dalton-in-Furness, LA15 8AF
Barrow Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ramsden Square, Barrow, LA14 1LL
About 6 km away
Walney Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Central Drive, Barrow, LA14 3HY
About 7 km away
Ulverston Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
County Square, Ulverston, LA12 7LZ
About 7 km away
Askam Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Th,Fr 14:00-17:00; Sa-We off
Lord Street, Askam-in-Furness, LA16 7AQ
About 4 km away
Roose Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
91-93 Roose Road, Barrow, LA13 9RJ
About 5 km away
Millom Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
St George's Road, Millom, LA18 4DD
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 Dalton-in-Furness
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