Settling in · Godalming
Landing in Godalming? Start here.
The first fortnight in Godalming, 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
70 places in Godalming 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 Religious Society of Friends
Christian, Quaker
3 Ward Street, Guildford, GU1 4LH
About 7 km away
St Edmunds
Christian, Roman catholic
Synagogues
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Guildford
About 6 km away
Onslow Hall (Main Hall), Wilderness Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7 QR
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 29 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 36 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, Reading
About 36 km away
Whitley Children's Centre, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, England, RG2 8LT
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 36 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 41 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 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
The Wharf
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00
131 High Street, Godalming, GU7 1AF
Mezza Express
Lebanese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
9 Madrid Road, Guildford, GU2 7NU
About 6 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-23:00; Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
25-29 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3DY
About 6 km away
Oriental Chef
Chinese. restaurant
Godalming Kebab Centre
Kebab. takeaway
The Royal Spices
Indian. takeaway
Sports and clubs
Basketball court
Basketball. Pitch
The Pilates Movement Studio
Pilates. Fitness centre
79-81 High Street, Godalming, GU7 1AA
Driving schools
Community and support groups
4th Farnham (Tongham) Scout Group
Community centre
Poyle Road, Guildford, GU10 1DU
About 9 km away
Oglethorpe Hall
Community centre
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Hot towel and traditional shaves
The Best Turkish Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,We-Fr 09:00-18:30; Tu off; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
84 The Street, Guildford, GU10 1AA
About 10 km away
Barbers and salons
Aveda
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-20:30; Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
167 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3AJ
About 6 km away
Headmasters
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-18:00
179 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3AW
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Guildford Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:00-18:00; Tu,Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-17:00
77 North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AL
About 6 km away
Bramley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Waverley, GU5 0HG
About 4 km away
Leggett Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Court, Guildford, GU2 4BA
About 6 km away
University Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
Spine Road, Guildford, GU2 7XJ
About 7 km away
Library and Learning Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Cathedral Court, Guildford, GU2 7JH
About 7 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 Godalming
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