Settling in · Ilkeston
Landing in Ilkeston? Start here.
The first fortnight in Ilkeston, 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
92 places in Ilkeston 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
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
397 Aspley Lane, Nottingham, NG8 5RR
About 7 km away
St John's Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
Canal Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4NL
About 7 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
New Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1HE
About 9 km away
United Reformed Church Bulwell
Christian, United reformed
Broomhill Road, Nottingham, NG6 9GJ
About 9 km away
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
Christian, Catholic
Nottingham NG6 9FN
About 9 km away
Ilkeston United Reformed Church
Christian, United reformed
Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF
Mosques and prayer rooms
Karimia Masjid & Institute
Muslim
141-143 Berridge Road Central, Nottingham, NG7 6HR
About 10 km away
Hindu temples
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Hindu
102-103 Palm Street, Nottingham, NG7 7HS
About 9 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 9 km away
Leyton Crescent Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1PR
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Fri 7:00pm
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
Hilltop News & Convenience Store
Newsagent
193-195 Nottingham Road, Nottingham, NG16 3GS
About 5 km away
Deyi Oriental Supermarket
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 10:30-19:00
249-251 Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, NG7 3FX
About 9 km away
Green Oranges Halal Supermarket
Supermarket
340-346 Radford Road, Nottingham, NG7 5GQ
About 9 km away
Wilok's International Food Stores
Convenience
217-219 Radford Road, Nottingham, NG7 5GT
About 9 km away
Food and takeaways
Ilkeston Kebabs
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo,We-Th 16:30-23:30; Tu 16:30-23:15; Fr-Sa 16:30-00:30; Su 16:45-23:30
119 Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8NZ
About 2 km away
Gurkha Kitchen
Nepalese. restaurant
131 Glaisdale Drive West, Nottingham, NG8 4GY
About 5 km away
Al Naseeb
Indian, heuriger. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
45 Market Place, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1JL
About 8 km away
Tokyo Way
Japanese, chinese. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo 13:00-23:00; Tu off
8 Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 2ES
About 9 km away
Lucky House
Thai, chinese, seafood. takeaway. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 16:00-22:45
14 Mercaston Road, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 4HU
About 9 km away
Tipoo
Kebab, burger, pizza, chicken. takeaway
60-62 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NN
About 10 km away
Sergio's
Kebab. takeaway
40A Queen Elizabeth Way, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston, DE7 4NU
About 2 km away
Curryholics
Indian. restaurant
30 College Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4ND
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Eastwood Community Football Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Chewton Street, Nottingham, NG16 3HB
About 5 km away
Langley Mill United Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Station Road, Nottingham, NG16 4BE
About 6 km away
White Tiger Kickboxing
Kickboxing. Sport club
Chapel Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1EQ
About 9 km away
Long Eaton United Football Club
Soccer. Stadium
Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 2DU
About 9 km away
Long Eaton Cricket Club
Cricket. Sport club
Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4LJ
About 8 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
The Matchman Angling Centre
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
5 Bannerman Road, Nottingham, NG6 9JA
About 8 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Cotmanhay Community Network
Community centre
39 Vernon Street, Ilkeston, DE7 8PD
About 2 km away
Vale Community Centre
Community centre
Wollaton Vale, Beechdale, Nottingham, NG8 2JA
About 5 km away
New Horizon Church Community Impact Centre
Community centre
Beauvale Nottingham, NG16 2EZ
About 5 km away
Blend Youth Project - Heanor branch
Community centre
Mundy Street, Amber Valley, DE75 7EB
About 6 km away
Erewash Voluntary Action
Community centre
Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4HD
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Istanbul Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
15-19 South Street, Ilkeston, DE7 5QT
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
Manuscripts and Special Collections
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2NR
About 10 km away
Ilkeston Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:00-17:00; Tu,Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Market Place, Erewash, DE7 5RN
Hallward Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-21:45, Sa 09:00-21:45, Su 09:30-21:45
Nottingham NG7 2RD
About 8 km away
Spondon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Th 10:00-16:30; Sa 10:00-13:00
Sitwell Street, Derby, DE21 7FG
About 8 km away
Springwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 10:00-16:00,15:00-19:00
Springwood Drive, Oakwood, Derby, DE21 2RQ
About 9 km away
Eastwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wellington Place, Nottingham, NG16 3GB
About 5 km away
Heanor Library and Information Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ilkeston Road, Amber Valley, DE75 7DX
About 5 km away
Wollaton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bramcote Lane, Nottingham, NG8 2NA
About 6 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 Ilkeston
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