Settling in · Lincoln
Landing in Lincoln? Start here.
The first fortnight in Lincoln, 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
73 places in Lincoln 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
106 High Street, Lincoln, LN5 7PY
About 2 km away
St Germain
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-17:00
Church Street, Lincoln, LN2 2UA
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Faizan-e-Madina Lincoln Islamic Centre & Mosque
Muslim, Sunni. Hours: Mo-Su 12:30-23:30
2 Proctors Road, Lincoln, LN2 4LA
About 2 km away
The nearest Iglesia ni Cristo to Lincoln
Iglesia ni Cristo, Doncaster
About 50 km away
Flat 2, No. 9 Lawn Road Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 2JF, United Kingodm
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 10:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 56 km away
Leyton Crescent Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1PR
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hull
About 58 km away
QUAKER MEETING HOUSE, Bean street, Hull, HU3-2PR
Worship services: Wed 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm
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
Food and takeaways
Tang
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: We-Mo 17:00-22:00
129 West Parade, Lincoln, LN1 1QS
The Modern Indian Cuisine
Indian. restaurant
370 High Street, Lincoln, LN5 7RU
MACH Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:00
Wragby Road East, Lincoln, LN2 4QY
About 4 km away
Laziza Indian Bar & Restaurant
Indian. restaurant
10 The Landings, Lincoln, LN1 2TU
About 4 km away
Sports and clubs
Welton Manor Park Sports Centre
Football. Sports centre
Bomber Passage, Lincoln, LN2 3PA
About 9 km away
University of Lincoln Sports Centre
Sports centre
Campus Way, Lincoln, LN6 7TS
Eastgate Tennis Club
Tennis, squash, bowls. Sports centre
Saint Clemens Old Rectory Drive, Lincoln, LN2 4AF
Days out and things to do
Freeklime Lincoln
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-20:00
Unit 13, Dixon Close, Lincoln, LN6 7UB
About 2 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Nettleham Community Hub
Community centre
1 East Street, Lincoln, LN2 2SL
About 5 km away
Cherry Willingham Church Hall
Community centre
20 High Street, Lincoln, LN3 4AQ
About 5 km away
North Hykeham Air & Army Cadet Detachment
Community centre. Hours: AIR: Fr 18:30-21:00 ACF: Th 19:00-21:00 BAND: Su 10:00-12:00
Moor Lane, Lincoln, LN6 9AF
About 6 km away
Queen's Park Community Hub Futures Café
Community centre
South Park, Lincoln, LN5 8EN
About 2 km away
The Bridge Community Venue
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su off
72A Newark Road, Lincoln, LN5 8PY
About 3 km away
Branston & Mere Village Hall
Community centre
Lincoln Road, Lincoln, LN4 1PA
About 6 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
D&S Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: We-Fr 09:20-18:00, Sa 09:00-17:30, Su 10:00-15:00
Park Lane, Lincoln, LN4 1DQ
About 5 km away
Nicola's Hair and Nail Salon
Hairdresser
1 The Parade, Lincoln, LN3 4JL
About 6 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Lincoln Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Free School Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EZ
Great Central Warehouse Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-24:00
Ropewalk Lincoln, LN6 7TS
Boultham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Boultham Park Road, Lincoln, LN6 7SU
About 3 km away
Bracebridge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Newark Road, Lincoln, LN5 8NL
About 3 km away
Bracebridge Heath Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-12:00,02:00-16:00; Sa 10:30-12:30
Redhall Lane, North Kesteven, LN4 2LA
About 4 km away
Nettleham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
1 East Street, Lincoln, LN2 2SL
About 5 km away
Birchwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Larchwood Crescent, Lincoln, LN6 0NF
About 5 km away
Cherry Willingham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Parade, Lincoln, LN3 4JL
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 Lincoln
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