Settling in · Hassocks
Landing in Hassocks? Start here.
The first fortnight in Hassocks, 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
74 places in Hassocks 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
Christian, Salvation army
Leybourne Road, Bevendean, Brighton, BN2 4LT
About 10 km away
All Saints' United Reformed Church
Christian, United reformed
Junction Road, Mid Sussex, RH15 0JS
About 4 km away
Church of the Ascension
Christian, Anglican
Southdown Close, Haywards Heath, RH16 4JR
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Mid Sussex Islamic Centre And Masjid
Muslim
19 Wivelsfield Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4EF
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Eastbourne
About 32 km away
Willingdon Trees Community Centre, 101 Holly Place, Eastbourne, BN22 0UT
Worship services: Wed 6:15pm · 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
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
Happy Inn
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo closed; Tu-Su 16:30-22:00; PH 16:30-22:00
28 Eldred Avenue, Brighton, BN1 5EG
About 7 km away
Thai Crystal
Thai. restaurant
45 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, RH16 3AS
About 9 km away
Fatma's Kitchen
Turkish. restaurant
60 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, RH16 3AL
About 9 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
Newtown Road, Hove, BN3 7PN
About 10 km away
Ali's Kabab
Burger, kebab, pizza. takeaway
124 South Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4LP
About 9 km away
Ephesus
Burger, chicken, kebab. takeaway
24 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, RH16 3AL
About 9 km away
Library Cafe
cafe. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa 12:00-16:00; Su off
Library Road, Brighton, BN1 9QL
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Preston Bowls Club
Bowls. Sport club
189 Preston Road, BN1 6SA
About 9 km away
Dragonhead Fencing
Fencing. Sport club. Hours: Tu 15:45-18:00
Carden Hill, Brighton, BN1 8GN
About 7 km away
Pavilion & Avenue Tennis Club
Tennis. Sports centre
19 The Droveway, BN3 6LF
About 9 km away
Community and support groups
Presentation Church Hall
Community centre
New England Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3LE
About 9 km away
Exeter Street Hall
Community centre
16-17 Exeter Street, Brighton, Brighton & Hove, BN1 5PG
About 10 km away
2529 (Burgess Hill) Squadron Air Training Corps
Community centre
Station Road, Mid Sussex, RH15 9DZ
About 3 km away
1st Burgess Hill Scouts
Community centre
Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Mid Sussex, RH15 9DB
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Artisan Hair House
Hairdresser
91 West Street, Mid Sussex, RH15 8NY
About 4 km away
Halo Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser
70 Old London Road, Brighton, BN1 8XQ
About 7 km away
Hagon Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser
30 Eldred Avenue, Brighton, BN1 5EG
About 7 km away
Theo Browns
Hairdresser
19 The Broadway, Haywards Heath, RH16 3AB
About 9 km away
Pinks
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-17:00
High Street, Henfield, BN5 9DB
About 9 km away
Silk Hair
Hairdresser
9 Commercial Square, Haywards Heath, RH16 1DW
About 10 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Burgess Hill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 10:00-16:00
15-19 The Martlets, Mid Sussex, RH15 9NN
About 4 km away
Orion Cinema
Cinema. Hours: 17:00-21:00
Cyprus Road, Mid Sussex, RH15 8DX
About 4 km away
Hurstpierpoint Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Trinity Road, Mid Sussex, BN6 9UY
About 3 km away
The Keep
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
Woollards Way, Brighton, BN1 9BP
About 8 km away
Moulsecoomb Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Th 14:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-16:00
The Highway, Brighton, BN2 4PA
About 9 km away
Henfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Henfield, BN5 9HN
About 9 km away
Hangleton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-19:00; Th, Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:30-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00
West Way
About 9 km away
Patcham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ladies' Mile Road, Patcham, BN1 8TD
About 7 km away
Carden Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
County Oak Avenue, Brighton, BN1 8LU
About 7 km away
Coldean Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Beatty Avenue, Brighton, BN1 9ED
About 7 km away
University Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
Library Road, Brighton, BN1 9QL
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 Hassocks
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