Settling in · Hetton Le Hole
Landing in Hetton Le Hole? Start here.
The first fortnight in Hetton Le Hole, 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
63 places in Hetton Le Hole 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.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
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
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Primate Road, Sunderland, SR3 1TQ
About 7 km away
Parish Church of St John The Evangelist
Christian, Anglican
Blandford Place, Seaham, SR7 7SA
About 8 km away
St Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church
Christian, Eastern orthodox
Gardiner Road, Sunderland, SR4 9PR
About 8 km away
St. Anne and Holy Family
Christian, Roman catholic
Hylton Road, Sunderland, SR4 9AA
About 9 km away
Sanctuary 21
Christian, Salvation army
48 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NU
About 9 km away
Easington Village Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Low Row, Easington, SR8 3AW
About 8 km away
St Hild and St Helen Christian Fellowship
Christian, Evangelical
Melbury Street, Seaham, SR7 7NF
About 8 km away
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Christian, Roman catholic
Springwell Road, Sunderland, SR3 4DF
About 8 km away
Evangel Church
Christian, Pentecostal
Clifford Terrace, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3JL
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, North Shields
About 21 km away
1A Stormont Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 OEY
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 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
Durham Halal Superstore
Supermarket. Hours: Su-Th 09:00-20:00, Fr-Sa 09:00-21:00
Damson Way, Durham, DH1 2YN
About 7 km away
Food and takeaways
My Masala
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
1a Avondale Terrace, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3ED
About 9 km away
The Himalaya
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-23:30
11 South Burns, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3EZ
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Durham Community Boxing Club
Boxing. Sports centre
Cathedral Park, Carrville, DH1 1TF
About 6 km away
Green Lane Cricket Ground
Cricket. Sports centre
Green Lane, Durham, DH1 3JU
About 9 km away
Squash and Fives courts
Squash, rugby fives. Sports centre
Green Lane, Durham, DH1 3US
About 9 km away
Ashbrooke Sports Club
Bowling, cricket, hockey, rugby, football, squash, tennis. Sports centre
Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, SR2 7HH
About 9 km away
Washington Leisure Centre
Sports centre
Independence Square, Sunderland, NE38 7SS
About 10 km away
Karting North East
Karting, motor. Sports centre
Hangmans Lane, Sunderland, SR3 2PR
About 4 km away
Marina Activity Centre
Canoe. Sports centre
George Elmy Lifeboat Way, Seaham, SR7 7JT
About 8 km away
Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre
Sports centre
Freemans' Place, Durham, DH1 1SQ
About 9 km away
Hetton Community Pool And Wellness Centre
Swimming. Sports centre
Welfare Road, Sunderland, DH5 9LZ
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Shotton Community Hub
Community centre
Bridge Road, Shotton Colliery, DH6 2PQ
About 8 km away
Sherburn Hill Hub and Café
Community centre
Front Street, Littletown, DH6 1PA
About 6 km away
Laurel Avenue Community Centre
Community centre
Laurel Avenue, Durham, DH1 2EY
About 8 km away
Park View Community Centre
Community centre
Roman Avenue, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3PW
About 8 km away
Gilesgate Welfare and Community Association
Community centre
The Balcony, Durham, DH1 1QF
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
Barker Research Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00
Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RN
About 10 km away
Durham Clayport Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
8 Leazes Road North, Durham, DH1 1WA
About 9 km away
Palace Green Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RW
About 10 km away
Bill Bryson Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LY
About 10 km away
The Murray Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Chester Road, Sunderland, SR1 3SD
About 10 km away
Easington Lane Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Sunderland, DH5 0JS
About 2 km away
Houghton-le-Spring Library And Learning Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
74 Newbottle Street, Sunderland, DH4 4AF
About 3 km away
Belmont Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Links, Carrville, DH1 2AA
About 6 km away
Thornley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Thornley, DH6 3EL
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 Hetton Le Hole
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