Settling in · Harlow
Landing in Harlow? Start here.
The first fortnight in Harlow, 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
75 places in Harlow 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
Saint Paul's, Harlow New Town
Christian, Anglican
College Square, Harlow, CM20 1LP
The Salvation Army - Harlow
Christian, Salvation army
Tendring Road, Harlow, CM18 6RN
Saint Mary-at-Latton
Christian, Anglican
The Gowers, Harlow, CM20 2JP
About 2 km away
St John the Baptist
Christian, Anglican
Ware Road, East Hertfordshire, SG12 8RL
About 7 km away
Springs Christian Fellowship
Christian, Pentecostal
New Road, Ware, SG12 7BU
About 10 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hertfordshire
About 20 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 27 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, Romford
About 27 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, North London
About 31 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 32 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, Royal Greenwich, London
About 32 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 36 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, Camberwell, London
About 36 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, Battersea, London
About 37 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 41 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, Orpington
About 42 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)
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
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Unit 4, Harlow, CM20 1AB
Painted Lady Restaurant
Turkish, mediterranean. restaurant
1 The Rows, Harlow, CM20 1BX
Harlow Kebab
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 14:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 14:00-22:00
23 Clifton Hatch, Harlow, CM18 7FF
About 2 km away
Khao Yai
Thai. restaurant
18 Brocket Road, Broxbourne, EN11 8NZ
About 8 km away
Sala Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: PH 17:00-23:00; Tu-Th 12:00-15:00,18:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,17:30-23:00; Su 13:00-15:30,17:30-22:00
34 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BY
About 10 km away
One Thai Cafe
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Sa 11:30-14:30,18:00-22:00
1 West Street, Ware, SG12 9EE
About 10 km away
Bill's Fish Bar
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-22:30; Fr 12:00-14:00,16:30-22:30; Sa 12:00-14:00,16:00-23:00;Su 17:00-20:00
96 King George Road, Ware, SG12 7DT
About 10 km away
Essense of India
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Th,Su 17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:30
1 East Street, Ware, SG12 9HJ
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Paringdon Sports Club
Soccer, netball, basketball. Sports centre
Milwards Harlow, CM19 4SG
About 2 km away
Sawbridgeworth Town FC
Soccer. Sports centre
School Lane, East Hertfordshire, CM21 9FA
About 7 km away
The Bishops Stortford Sports Hall
Basketball, fitness, netball, futsal, pickleball, badminton. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-22:00; Sa-Su 07:00-22:00
Beaumont Avenue South, East Hertfordshire, CM23 4SH
About 10 km away
Herts and Essex Cricket Centre
Cricket nets. Sports centre
Rook End, East Hertfordshire, CM21 0LL
About 7 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
EXL Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Edinburgh Way, Harlow, CM20 2BX
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
Ware Drill Hall
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00
17 Amwell End, Ware, SG12 9HP
About 10 km away
Place House
Community centre
22 Bluecoat Yard, Ware, SG12 9HL
About 10 km away
The Xperience Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 19:00-21:00; We 15:30-18:00
Broadley Road, Sumners, Harlow, CM19 5RD
About 3 km away
Coopersale Village Hall
Community centre
Institute Road, Coopersale, CM16 7QY
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Luxe Barbers, Shaves and Trims
Hairdresser
Barbers and salons
Roxene's Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:30-18:00; Th 09:30-20:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su closed
5 Broad Walk, Harlow, CM20 1HX
Harlow Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:45-19:00, Su 10:00-17:00
Southern Way, Harlow, CM18 7PJ
About 2 km away
Taylors
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:30
8 East Street, Ware, SG12 9HJ
About 10 km away
The Hair & Beauty Place
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-19:00; Th-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-16:00
2 West Street, Ware, SG12 9EE
About 10 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Great Parndon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-19:00, We 09:00-17:30, Fr 09:00-17:30, Sa 09:00-17:00
Parnall Road, Harlow, CM18 7PP
About 2 km away
Harlow Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00
Cross Street, Harlow, CM20 1HA
Ware Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Fr 10:00-17:30; We 14:00-17:30; Th,Su closed; Sa 10:00-17:00
41-45 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BA
About 10 km away
Tye Green Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:00-13:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Tilegate Road, Harlow, CM18 6NZ
About 2 km away
Mark Hall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 02:00-19:00; Th 09:00-13:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Sawbridgeworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Forebury, East Hertfordshire, CM21 9AT
About 6 km away
Hoddesdon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Library Court, Broxbourne, EN11 8FN
About 7 km away
Epping Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
CM16 5EB
About 8 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 Harlow
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