Settling in · Ferndale
Landing in Ferndale? Start here.
The first fortnight in Ferndale, 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
43 places in Ferndale 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
The Salvation Army - Williamstown
Christian, Salvation army
George Street, Tonypandy, CF40 1QN
About 6 km away
Miskin Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Glyngwyn Street, Mountain Ash, CF45 3AF
About 5 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cardiff
About 25 km away
Pontprennau Primary School, Heol Pontprennau, Cardiff, CF23 BLL, Wales
Worship services: Tue 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm · Sat 5:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Swansea
About 31 km away
Llansamlet Community Centre Church Road Llansamlet, Swansea, Wales SA7-9RH
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm · Sun 10:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 32 km away
Llanthewy Road Newport Gwent, South Wales NP20-4LA
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (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
Food and takeaways
Sports and clubs
Aberfan Leisure Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:15-22:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Hillside Close, Aberfan, CF48 4QE
About 8 km away
Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre
Swimming, squash. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:15-20:00
A4102 Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UT
About 10 km away
Community and support groups
Ton and Gelli Community Centre
Community centre
Dinam Park, Ton Pentre, CF41 7DX
About 4 km away
Canolfan Pennar Community Hub
Community centre
Darran Road, Mountain Ash, CF45 3HU
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
Ferndale Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00; Tu 09:00-18:30; We off; Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off
North Road, Ferndale, CF43 4PS
Mountain Ash Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; Tu 09:00-18:30; We,Sa 09:00-13:00; Th closed; Fr 09:00-18:00
Oxford Street, Mountain Ash, CF45 3HD
About 5 km away
Pontypridd Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-18:00; Tu 09:00-19:00; We-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off
Taff Street, Pontypridd, CF37 4TH
About 10 km away
Treorchy Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Station Road, Treorchy, CF42 6NN
About 4 km away
Aberdare Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Green Street, Aberdare, CF44 7AG
About 6 km away
Tonypandy Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
A4119 Tonypandy, CF40 2LD
About 4 km away
Porth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Pontypridd Road, Porth, CF39 9PF
About 6 km away
Hirwaun Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Hirwaun, CF44 9RS
About 10 km away
Treharris Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Perrott Street, Treharris, CF46 5ER
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 Ferndale
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