Settling in · Highfields
Landing in Highfields? Start here.
The first fortnight in Highfields, 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
71 places in Highfields 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
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
Somerset Road, Kirklees, HD5 9AU
About 7 km away
Gledholt Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Edgerton Grove Road, Kirklees, HD1 5QX
About 7 km away
Huddersfield Methodist Mission
Christian, Methodist
3-13 Lord Street, Kirklees, HD1 1QA
About 7 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Gurdwaras
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Leeds
About 32 km away
Monk Bridge Road, Meanwood, Leeds West Yorkshire, England, LS6 4HH
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sun 11:00am · Sun 1:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 34 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (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
KD Afro Lrd
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Beast Market, Kirklees, HD1 1QF
About 7 km away
New Tong Yi Oriental Supermarket
Supermarket
10 Cross Church Street, Kirklees, HD1 2PT
About 7 km away
Food and takeaways
Oriental Kitchen
Thai, chinese, malaysian. restaurant
King Street, Kirklees, HD1 2QT
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Huddersfield Leisure Centre
Swimming, climbing, badminton, squash. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00; Sa,Su 08:30-21:00
Castlegate Kirklees, HD1 2TG
About 7 km away
Colne Valley Leisure Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:30-22:00; Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 08:00-17:00
New Street, Kirklees, HD7 5AB
About 3 km away
Holmfirth Swimming Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Huddersfield Road, Kirklees, HD9 3JL
About 5 km away
Thongsbridge Tennis & Fitness Club
Tennis. Sports centre
Miry Lane, Kirklees, HD9 7RY
About 5 km away
Days out and things to do
Freeklime
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-20:00
Lincoln Street, Kirklees, HD1 6RX
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
Greenfields Family Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:15-18:00
Myers Croft, Kirklees, HD5 9TR
About 9 km away
Oliver Heywood Memorial Sunday School
Community centre
Holmfirth Road, Kirklees, HD9 7LF
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Barbers and salons
You Hair Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Su-Mo off; Tu 09:00-18:00; We 09:00-19:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
9 Moor Bottom, Kirklees, HD9 6DN
About 4 km away
Topman Hairdresser
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Su 09:30-19:00
North Street, Kirklees, HD1 4JR
About 6 km away
Studio 18
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:30-17:30; Tu 09:30-20:30; We,Th 09:00-20:30; Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:30
18 Byram Street, Kirklees, HD1 1DR
About 7 km away
The Hair Barn
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-18:00; We-Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-15:00
Greave Road, Kirklees, HD9 2DF
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Holmfirth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
47 Huddersfield Road, Kirklees, HD9 3JH
About 5 km away
Birkby and Fartown Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 10:00-13:00; We 13:00-17:00; Th off; Fr 14:00-18:00; Sa 11:00-15:00; Su off
2 Lea Street, Kirklees, HD1 6HF
About 8 km away
Rawthorpe and Dalton Library, Information and Children's Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-17:00; Tu,Fr 10:00-13:30; We 13:00-17:00
23 Ridgeway, Kirklees, HD5 9QJ
About 9 km away
Slaithwaite Library & Information Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Carr Lane, Kirklees, HD7 5AG
About 3 km away
Honley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Su-Mo off; Tu 13:00-18:00; We 10:00-13:00; Th off; Fr 13:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
West Avenue, Kirklees, HD9 6HF
About 4 km away
Huddersfield Library Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Queensgate Kirklees, HD1 2SP
About 7 km away
Lindley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Lidget Street, Kirklees, HD3 3JP
About 7 km away
Almondbury Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-17:00; Tu 10:00-13:00; Th 14:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; We,Fr,Su closed
Farfield Road, Kirklees, HD5 8TD
About 8 km away
Stainland Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
South Parade, Calderdale, HX4 9HW
About 8 km away
Library and Information Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-17:00; Th 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Fr 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-12:00
8 Marsh Lane, Kirklees, HD8 8AE
About 10 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 Highfields
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