Settling in · Lowestoft
Landing in Lowestoft? Start here.
The first fortnight in Lowestoft, 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
67 places in Lowestoft 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 - Lowestoft Citadel
Christian, Salvation army
Beach Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1EA
The Salvation Army - Lowestoft South
Christian, Salvation army
9 Carlton Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0RU
About 2 km away
Gunton Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Montgomery Avenue, East Suffolk, NR32 4DZ
About 2 km away
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Ethel Road, Lowestoft, NR32 2DN
Commodore Mission
Christian, Evangelical
26 Gorleston Road, East Suffolk, NR32 3AG
About 2 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Norwich
About 39 km away
Frettenham Village hall, Church road, Norwich, NR12 7NN, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:15pm (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
Indian Poppy
General. Hours: Fr,Sa 10:00-16:00 || "by appointment"
82 High Street, Lowestoft, NR32 1XN
Food and takeaways
Royal Dragon
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-22:00
39-41 Saint Peters Street, Lowestoft, NR32 1QA
Oriental Kitchen
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:30-21:30; Tu off
7 Pier Terrace, Lowestoft, NR33 0AB
Lowestoft Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 16:30-23:30; PH 16:30-23:30
176 High Street, Lowestoft, NR32 1HU
Pizza Time
Pizza, kebab, burger, chicken. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Sa 16:00-26:00, Su 16:00-24:00
160 London Road South, Lowestoft, NR33 0BB
De Niro's
Kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-23:59
141 Oulton Road, Lowestoft, NR32 4QS
The Grillhut
Pizza, burger, kebab, chicken. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 15:30-23:45
1 The Green, Lowestoft, NR33 9AZ
About 2 km away
The Kingfisher
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 16:30-22:30; Sa 12:00-14:00,16:30-22:30
8 Snape Drive, Lowestoft, NR32 4SF
About 2 km away
Shish
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: We-Mo 12:00-21:30
122 Bridge Road, East Suffolk, NR33 9JT
About 3 km away
Royal China
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:30-23:00
152 Bridge Road, East Suffolk, NR33 9JT
About 3 km away
Mandarin
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: 12:00-14:30,16:30-22:30; Tu off; Fr,Sa 12:00-14:30,16:30-23:00
6 Denmark Road, Lowestoft, NR32 2EQ
Woodbine 木水东方
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-20:00
18 Suffolk Road, East Suffolk, NR32 1DZ
Sports and clubs
Barnard's Meadow
Soccer
Mammoth Power
Sports hall. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-22:00; Sa 08:00-20:00; Su 09:00-18:00
235 Whapload Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1UL
Community and support groups
The Kirkley Centre
Community centre
154 London Road South, Lowestoft, NR33 0AZ
Whitton Life
Community centre
4-5 The Green, Lowestoft, NR33 9AZ
About 2 km away
Somerleyton Village Hall
Community centre
The Street, East Suffolk, NR32 5QB
About 8 km away
Lowestoft & District Independent Archive
Community centre
3 Saint Peters Street, East Suffolk, NR32 1QA
Kessingland Sports and Social Centre
Community centre
Francis Road, East Suffolk, NR33 7PU
About 6 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Afro hair specialists
Monica's Hair Braiding Studio
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
135 High Street, East Suffolk, NR32 1HR
Barbers and salons
Maxwells
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 08:30-17:00
7 Bevan Street East, Lowestoft, NR32 2AA
House of Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu,Fr 09:00-17:00; We,Th 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-16:30
138 High Street, Lowestoft, NR32 1HR
Unit 69
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th 12:00-21:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-14:00
69 Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft, NR32 4AT
About 2 km away
Code Hair Consultants
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,We 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-19:30; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:30
25 Bridge Road, East Suffolk, NR32 3LN
About 2 km away
Expert Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-19:00
135 Bevan Street East, Lowestoft, NR32 2AQ
Blade
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:00-17:00; We 09:15-19:00; Th-Fr 09:15-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
96 St Peter's Street, Lowestoft, NR32 1QE
Cinemas and libraries
Oulton Broad Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-13:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
92 Bridge Road, East Suffolk, NR32 3LR
About 3 km away
Kessingland Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Fr 12:00-17:00; We 10:00-17:00; Sa,Su 10:00-15:00
Hall Road, East Suffolk, NR33 7AH
About 7 km away
Lowestoft Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
The Britten Centre, East Suffolk, NR32 1DR
Get Free Books
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
78-80 London Road North, Lowestoft, NR32 1ET
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 Lowestoft
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