Settling in · Exeter, Devon
Landing in Exeter, Devon? Start here.
The first fortnight in Exeter, Devon, 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
83 places in Exeter, Devon 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
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Friars Gate, Stoke, Exeter, EX2 4AZ
Blessed Sacrament Church
Christian, Catholic
29 Fore Street, Exeter, EX1 2QJ
St. Stephens Church
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00
High Street, Exeter, EX4 3LW
Synagogues
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Exeter
In the area
ST. MARK'S CHURCH HALL-, Pinhoe road, EX4-7HU Exeter, Devon, England
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 4:00pm · Sat 6:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Torquay
About 27 km away
The Windmill Centre, Pendennis Rd, Torquay, TQ2 7QB
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Taunton
About 42 km away
Bishop's Hull Primary School, Bishop's Hull Hill, Bishop's Hull, Taunton, England, TA1 5EB
Worship services: Tue 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
168 Oriental
Convenience. stocks Chinese goods. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
3 Summerland Street, Exeter, EX1 2AT
Food and takeaways
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
1-2 Princesshay, Exeter, EX1 1GE
Istanbul
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: 11:00-23:00
39 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6NS
Hot Spot
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-03:00
132a Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RY
iFood Thai Taste
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 15:30-21:00
116-117 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RY
Pho
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3FB
La Vita Pizza
Pizza, kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-23:45; Fr 10:00-01:45; Sa 10:00-01:00; Su 10:00-24:00
30C Fore Street, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2QL
Exeter Grill
Pizza, burger, kebab, chicken. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-02:00; Su 16:00-23:00
46 Fore Street, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2QL
Spice Box
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
48 Fore Street, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2QL
Oh My Kimchi
Korean. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-21:00
57-58 Blackboy Road, Exeter, EX4 6TB
Richie's South Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:30
18 North Street, Exeter, EX4 3QS
Sports and clubs
Riverside Leisure Centre
Swimming, fitness, cycling, squash, weightlifting, basketball, badminton, soccer. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00; Sa,Su,PH 08:00-20:00
Cowick Street, Exeter, EX4 1AF
Wonford Sports Centre
Fitness, badminton, cycling, soccer. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa,Su 08:00-18:00; PH 11:00-18:00
Rifford Road, Exeter, EX2 6NF
About 2 km away
St Luke's Sports Centre
Swimming, fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00; Sa-Su 08:30-18:00
Exeter EX1 2LU
Lloyds Gym
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
28 Water Lane, Exeter, EX2 8BY
Boulder Exe
Climbing, yoga. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00, Sa-Su 09:00-19:00
Tudor Street, Exeter, EX4 3BR
Snap Fitness
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Ashton Road, Exeter, EX2 8AA
About 2 km away
Exeter BJJ Academy
Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sports centre
Alphinbrook Road, Exeter, EX2 8QF
About 2 km away
Northbrook Swimming Pool
Swimming. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr,PH 07:30-15:00; Sa 08:00-12:00
Beacon Lane, Exeter, EX4 8LZ
About 2 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Exeter Angling
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
26 Marsh Green Road West, Marsh Barton Trading Estate, Exeter, EX2 8PN
About 2 km away
Days out and things to do
UCZ Paintball Park
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
Exeter EX4 0AU
About 6 km away
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Museum. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00; Dec 25-Jan 01 off
Prince Of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4SB
About 2 km away
Quay Climbing Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00, Sa,Su 12:15-20:00
Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8GU
Driving schools
Devon Drivers Centre
Driving school
East Devon Heritage Coast Way, East Devon, EX5 1DL
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Exeter BSAC
Community centre. Hours: Fr 19:30-21:30
62 Haven Road, Exeter, EX2 8DP
Whipton Community Hall
Community centre
Pinhoe Road, Exeter, EX4 8AF
About 2 km away
Younghayes Centre
Community centre
169 Younghayes Road, Exeter, EX5 7DR
About 8 km away
Wonford Community & Learning Centre
Community centre
Burnthouse Lane, Exeter, EX2 6NF
About 2 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Fika [salon]
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:00-18:00; We 10:00-20:00; Th 08:45-17:00; Fr 08:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-15:00
69 Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX2 4TA
Peach
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
37 Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX2 4TA
Sevens Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 08:00-18:00; Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa 07:00-13:00
Bampfylde Street, Exeter, EX1 2FW
Hotrods & Harlots
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
34 Sidwell Street, Exeter
Master Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-19:00; Sa 07:00-18:00; Su 09:00-16:00
128 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RY
Fellow's
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-15:00
17 Catherine Street, Exeter, EX1 1EU
Verve
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:00-17:30; We 09:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:00
14 Waterbeer Street, Exeter, EX4 3EH
Mansur Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-18:00; Su 10:30-15:30
175 Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AX
Cinemas and libraries
Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 09:00-18:00; Tu,Th 09:00-19:00; We 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 12:00-16:00
Castle Street, Exeter, EX4 3PQ
Old Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Prince Of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4SB
About 2 km away
Main Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4PT
About 2 km away
Pinhoe Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Lower Harrington Lane, Exeter, EX4 8HW
About 4 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 Exeter, Devon
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