Settling in · Darenth
Landing in Darenth? Start here.
The first fortnight in Darenth, 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
86 places in Darenth 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
RCCG City of His Grace
Christian, Pentecostal
Rose Street, Gravesham, DA11 9EQ
About 7 km away
Grays Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Wittnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Church Street, Grays, RM17 6EG
About 9 km away
The Salvation Army - Gravesend
Christian, Salvation army
34 The Grove, Gravesend, DA12 1DX
About 9 km away
South Darenth Village Church
Christian, Anglican
New Road, Sevenoaks, DA4 9AS
About 2 km away
Christ Apostolic Church
Christian. Hours: Tu,We 19:00-20:30; Th 19:00-21:00; Su 10:30-13:00
Claremont Road, Sevenoaks, BR8 7RF
About 4 km away
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Windmill Street, Gravesham, DA12 1BB
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Gravesend Central Mosque
Muslim
11 Albion Terrace, Gravesend, DA12 2SX
About 10 km away
Hindu temples
Gurdwaras
Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara
Sikh
Khalsa Avenue, Gravesend, DA12 1AG
About 10 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 6 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, Royal Greenwich, London
About 14 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 20 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 20 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, Camberwell, London
About 24 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, Central London
About 29 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, Battersea, London
About 29 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, Wimbledon
About 30 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, Sutton
About 31 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, Southend
About 32 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, Notting Hill
About 33 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, North London
About 38 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (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
Food and takeaways
Thai Emperor
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 17:00-22:30; Fr,Sa 17:00-23:00; Su 16:00-21:00
7 High Street, Swanley, BR8 8AE
About 5 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
The Lake, Grays, RM20 2ZN
About 8 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo 11:30-18:00; Tu-Sa 11:30-21:00; Su 11:30-17:00
West Thurrock Way, Grays, RM20 2ZP
About 8 km away
Chattorey
Indian. restaurant
65 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, DA11 0QB
About 9 km away
China Garden
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-14:00,17:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-14:00,17:30-23:30; Su 13:00-22:00
33 Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1AS
About 9 km away
Bangkok Mami
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:30-22:30; Fr,Sa 12:00-14:00,16:30-23:00; Su 13:00-22:30
156 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 9 km away
The Rickshaw
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
165 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 9 km away
Shapla
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
166 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 9 km away
Tufail
Indian. restaurant
139 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1EZ
About 9 km away
Singh's
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 09:00-18:00
151 Milton Road, Gravesend, DA12 2RG
About 9 km away
Namaste
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 17:30-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
9 High Street, Swanley, BR8 8AE
About 5 km away
Shishly Grill & Meze
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
London Road, Swanley, BR8 7TQ
About 5 km away
Sports and clubs
Cyclopark
Cycling. Sports centre
Watling Street, Gravesend, DA11 7NP
About 8 km away
PureGym
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
5-10 New Road, Gravesend, DA11 0AA
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
NJ Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 9 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Mick Jagger Centre
Community centre
Shepherds Lane, Dartford, DA1 2NL
About 4 km away
The Howard Venue
Community centre
39 Egerton Avenue, Swanley, BR8 7LG
About 5 km away
Hextable Village Hall
Community centre
College Road, Swanley
About 5 km away
Fleetdown Community Centre
Community centre
Swaledale Road, Dartford, DA2 6JZ
About 2 km away
Five Wents Hall
Community centre. Hours: "for bookings"
Swanley Lane, Swanley, BR8 7RA
About 4 km away
North Cray Neighbourhood Centre
Community centre
Davis Way, Greater London, DA14 5JR
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
AK Colours & Curls
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:30; Th,Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:30
11 Main Road, Swanley
About 4 km away
Barbers and salons
AK Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Th,Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; Mo,Tu 09:00-18:30
13 Main Road, Swanley
About 4 km away
The Nuthouse Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-19:00; Th 09:00-21:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:30
152 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 9 km away
Dal's & Oliver's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 09:00-18:00; We 09:00-17:00; Sa 08:30-17:00
12 High Street, Swanley, BR8 8BE
About 5 km away
Diamond cut barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:30, Fr-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 10:00-16:00
Station Road, Swanley
About 5 km away
Coban Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Tu off; Su 10:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-18:00
London Road, Swanley, BR8 7TL
About 5 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Summerhouse Drive Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
80 Summerhouse Drive, Dartford, DA5 2EE
About 5 km away
Bexley Village Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Albert Road, Greater London, DA5 1LU
About 7 km away
Grays Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-19:00; Tu-We,Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su,PH off
Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX
About 9 km away
Gravesend Library and Information
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BE
About 9 km away
Dashwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
16 Dashwood Road, Gravesend, DA11 7LY
About 8 km away
Swanley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th, Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off
London Road, Swanley
About 5 km away
Purfleet-on-Thames Library &Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-13:00; Th 10:00-12:00,14:00-16:00
River Court, Purfleet-on-Thames, RM19 1ZY
About 7 km away
Sidcup Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 09:30-17:00; We 09:30-19:00; Su,PH off
Hadlow Road, Greater London, DA14 4AQ
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 Darenth
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