Settling in · Great Barr
Landing in Great Barr? Start here.
The first fortnight in Great Barr, 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
109 places in Great Barr 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
Church of Saint Matthew
Christian, Anglican
Church Hill, Walsall, WS1 3DG
About 5 km away
The Rock Church
Christian
27-31 Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TJ
About 5 km away
Pan Jezus czeka na Ciebie
Christian, Roman catholic
260 High Street
About 5 km away
Holy Trinity Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
Burlington Road, West Bromwich, B70 6LQ
About 5 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Gladstone Street, Aston, Birmingham, B6 7NY
About 6 km away
Smethwick Seventh Day Adventist Church
Christian, Seventh day adventist
St Pauls Road
About 6 km away
Holy Trinity Church
Christian, Anglican
Church Hill Street, B67 7AH
About 7 km away
The Salvation Army - Darlaston
Christian, Salvation army
The Leys, Wednesbury, WS10 8DP
About 7 km away
Oldbury New Testament Church of God
Christian, Pentecostal
31A Church Street, B69 3AG
About 7 km away
Salvation Army Citadel
Christian, Salvation army
24 St Chads Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6HH
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Shah Jalal Jami Masjid & Madrasah
Muslim, Sunni
48 Hart Street, Walsall, WS1 3PE
About 4 km away
Zia-E-Medina
Muslim, Sunni
153 Walsall Road, Sandwell, WS10 9SW
About 6 km away
The Cube: Birmingham City Centre Islamic Hub
Muslim
96 Edmund Street
About 8 km away
Green Lane Masjid
Muslim, Sunni
20 Green Lane, Birmingham, B9 5DB
About 10 km away
Birmingham Central Mosque
Muslim
180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham, B12 0XS
About 10 km away
Masjid Ghausia Qasmia & Community Hub
Muslim, Sunni
34-38 Mount Street, Walsall, WS1 3PJ
About 4 km away
Hindu temples
Gurdwaras
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick
Sikh
128-130 High Street, B66 3AP
About 6 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 9 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (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
Masala Bazaar Metro
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 09:00-17:00
Walsall Road, Birmingham, B42 1AA
About 4 km away
U Mista Polish Supermarket
Supermarket
297-301 Bearwood Road
About 8 km away
Haji Baba Halal Meats
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
Wolverhampton Road
About 9 km away
Bismillah Halal Meat and Chicken
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-18:00
2 Woodridge, Birmingham, B6 6LN
About 5 km away
Blessing Market African Food Store
Convenience
10 King Edwards Road, Birmingham, B1 2PZ
About 7 km away
International Food Store
Convenience. Hours: 24/7
386-388 Bearwood Road
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Unique Cuisine
Caribbean. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-20:00
100 Hawthorn Road, Birmingham, B44 8QP
About 4 km away
Alishaan
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
90 Hawthorn Road, Birmingham, B44 8QP
About 4 km away
Sultan's
Indian. restaurant
110 Caldmore Road, Walsall, WS1 3RB
About 4 km away
Oodles
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
44 High Street, Walsall, WS1 1QR
About 5 km away
Yaadgaar
Indian, dessert, asian, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:45
250 Wednesbury Road, Walsall, WS2 9QN
About 5 km away
Pleck Balti
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 18:00-22:30
301-303 Wednesbury Road, Walsall, WS2 9QJ
About 5 km away
Amritsari Tarka
Indian. restaurant
261 High Street, Smethwick, B66 3NJ
About 7 km away
Bharawan Da Dhaba
Indian. takeaway
269 High Street, Smethwick, B66 3NJ
About 7 km away
Polonia Restaurant
Polish. restaurant
15a Market Place, Tipton, DY4 7AR
About 7 km away
Balti Delight
Indian. restaurant
6 Edwards Road, Birmingham, B24 9EP
About 7 km away
Tikka Nation - Birmingham
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
14d Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QG
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Veseyans Rugby & Sports Club
Rugby
Little Hardwick Road, WS9 0SQ
About 5 km away
Portway Lifestyle Centre
Gymnastics, gym, fitness, dance, cycling, soccer, swimming, boxing, zumba, yoga, pilates, table tennis, karate, martial arts. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00; Sa-Su 07:00-18:00
Newbury Lane
About 9 km away
Temple Martial Arts
Martial arts, kickboxing, kung fu. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
16 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6BJ
About 9 km away
Stick and Wicket
Cricket, running, football, hockey, squash. Sport club
The Green, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8NH
About 6 km away
The Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre
Squash, badminton, swimming, multigym, aerobics. Sports centre
Aston Street, Birmingham, B4 7EH
About 8 km away
Sports Hall
Table tennis, basketball, badminton, fitness, multi. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00
Sutton Coldfield
About 8 km away
JD Gyms
Fitness, multi, gymnastics, exercise, boxing. Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Birchley Island Retail Park
About 9 km away
ForceField
Rugby, rugby union, rugby league. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00
184 Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 2PY
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Fishermans Friend Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
31 Abbey Road
About 8 km away
Days out and things to do
Bliston Craft Gallery and Library
Museum. Hours: Tu 10:00-17:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th 10:00-17:00; Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Mount Pleasant, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LU
About 9 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Street Teams
Community centre
51 Bradford Street, Bloxwich, WS1 3QD
About 5 km away
Smethwick Youth & Community Centre
Community centre
Trinity Street
About 7 km away
Heart of Oldbury Community Centre
Community centre
31 Church Street, Sandwell, B69 3AF
About 7 km away
Langley Park Lodge Community Centre
Community centre
34 Langley High Street
About 8 km away
Avery Fields Sports & Events
Community centre
79 Sandon Road, Birmingham, B17 8DS
About 8 km away
Royal British Legion (Oldbury)
Community centre
5 Windsor Road, Sandwell, B68 8PB
About 9 km away
Estia Greek & Cypriot Community Centre
Community centre
Park Approach, Birmingham, B23 7SJ
About 6 km away
Wood Lane Community Centre
Community centre
157 Wood Lane, Sandwell, B70 9PY
About 6 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
MAJ Scissor Turkish Barber ️
Hairdresser
160 Causeway Green Road, Sandwell, B68 8LF
About 9 km away
Barbers and salons
M.W. Coleman Gentlemen's Hairdressers
Hairdresser
80 Birmingham Street
About 7 km away
Velvet Touch Hair & Beauty Salon by Vaida
Hairdresser
54 Birmingham Street, Sandwell, B69 4DZ
About 7 km away
Jakes Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
50-54 Saint Paul's Square, Birmingham, B3 1QS
About 8 km away
Benjamin Ryan Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:15
117 Edmund Street
About 8 km away
Luxe Barbers
Hairdresser
Unit 2, Langley High Street, Sandwell, B69 4SL
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Sandwell Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-19:00; Tu-Fr 09:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-16:00; Su off
High Street, Sandwell, B70 8DZ
About 5 km away
Smethwick Libary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
100 High Street
About 6 km away
Library of Birmingham
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, Tu 11:00-19:00; We-Sa 11:00-17:00
Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2ND
About 8 km away
Langley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Barrs Street, Sandwell, B68 8QU
About 9 km away
Oakham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Poplar Rise, Sandwell, B69 1RD
About 9 km away
Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen
Cinema
Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA
About 9 km away
Rounds Green Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr 09:30-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Martley Road, Oldbury, B69 1DZ
About 9 km away
Bleakhouse Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bleakhouse Road
About 9 km away
Oldbury Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 22:00-14:00
Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DE
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 Great Barr
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