Settling in · Magor
Landing in Magor? Start here.
The first fortnight in Magor, 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
49 places in Magor 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
Tabernacle Chapel
Christian, United reformed
Tabernacle Road, Llanvaches, NP26 3AY
About 4 km away
St. Stephen’s & St. Tathan’s
Christian, Church in wales
Chepstow Road, Caerwent, NP26 5AY
About 5 km away
St. Teilo's Church
Christian, Catholic
Ladyhill Road, Newport, NP19 9NS
About 8 km away
St Andrew
Christian, Protestant
Somerton Road, Newport, NP19 4JZ
About 9 km away
Ss. Julius, Aaron & David R.C. Church
Christian, Roman catholic
19 High Street, Newport, NP18 1AG
About 9 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 12 km away
Llanthewy Road Newport Gwent, South Wales NP20-4LA
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cardiff
About 22 km away
Pontprennau Primary School, Heol Pontprennau, Cardiff, CF23 BLL, Wales
Worship services: Tue 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm · Sat 5:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 26 km away
Manor Hall, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2TG
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm
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
The Three Elephants
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
Chepstow Road, Llandevaud, Llandevaud, NP18 2AA
About 5 km away
Indian Empire
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Th 12:00-14:00,17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:30-22:30; Su 12:00-14:00,17:30-22:30
Caldicot NP26 5UT
About 9 km away
Rich Bean Coffee
Coffee shop. cafe. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Sa 09:00-15:30; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 09:30-15:30
Broadway Newport, NP18 1AY
About 9 km away
Prince of Caerleon
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:30-00:00; Fr-Su 17:30-00:00
1C Station Road, Newport, NP18 1NH
About 9 km away
Tamarind Express
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Sa 17:00-22:30; Su 17:00-22:00
Fallowfield Drive, Newport, NP19 4TD
About 8 km away
J J's Fish Bar
Chinese, fish, british. restaurant. Hours: Mo 12:00-14:00; Tu-Th 12:00-14:00,17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:00,17:00-23:00; Su 17:00-21:00
12 Goldcroft Common, Caerleon, NP18 1BA
About 9 km away
Corpa Cafe
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Mo 08:00-15:00; Tu off; We-Su 08:00-15:00
327 Corporation Road, Newport, NP19 0FN
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Caerleon RFC
Rugby. Sport club. Hours: Tu 18:30-22:30; Th 18:30-22:30; Sa 12:30-22:30
Broadway Newport, NP18 1AY
About 9 km away
Basketball court
Basketball, football. Pitch
Bramley Close, Newport, NP18 2BJ
About 6 km away
Caldicot Leisure Centre
Soccer, tennis, swimming, squash, basketball, yoga, table tennis, netball, volleyball, badminton, cricket nets, gymnasium, field hockey, multi. Sports centre
Mill Lane, Caldicot, NP26 4BN
About 6 km away
Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales
Cycling. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-20:00; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00
Velodrome Way, Newport, NP19 4RA
About 9 km away
Newport Regional Pool
Swimming. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa 07:00-19:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Velodrome Way, Newport, NP19 4RA
About 9 km away
Newport Tennis Centre
Tennis. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa 07:00-19:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Velodrome Way, Newport, NP19 4RA
About 9 km away
Forest Jump at Celtic Manor
Climbing adventure. Sports centre
Coldra Woods Drive, Newport, NP18 2YB
About 7 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Steve’s Baits
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
86 Heather Road, Newport, NP19 7QX
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
Supakart
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:00-21:00
Newport NP19 4SL
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
Newport East Community Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Tu 09:00-13:00; We-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa off; Su off
Milton Close, Ringland, Newport, NP19 9PS
About 7 km away
Alway Community Centre
Community centre
Aberthaw Avenue, Alway, Newport, NP19 9SG
About 8 km away
Holy Trinity Church Parish Hall
Community centre
Christchurch Road, Newport, NP18 1JJ
About 8 km away
Beaufort Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
Beaufort Road, Newport, NP19 7UB
About 9 km away
Rogiet Community Junction
Community centre. Hours: We 10:00-12:00
Green Close, Rogiet, NP26 3SW
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Adorn Hair Studio
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu 10:00-17:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00; Su off
298 Chepstow Road, Newport, NP19 8NN
About 10 km away
Burlesque Hair and Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:30
28 High Street, Caerleon, NP18 1AE
About 9 km away
Caerleon Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu-We 09:30-17:30; Th 09:30-18:00; Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 09:00-14:00; Su off
11a High Street, Caerleon, NP18 1AH
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Caldicot Community Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Su off
Woodstock Way, Caldicot, NP26 5DB
About 6 km away
Caerleon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 14:00-18:00; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Th off; Fr 14:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off; PH off
2 Church Street, Newport, NP18 1AW
About 9 km away
St Julian's Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-12:00,13:00-17:00; Fr off; Sa off; Su off; PH off
Beaufort Road, Newport, NP19 7UB
About 10 km away
Ringland Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Tu 09:00-13:00; We-Fr 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Sa off; Su off
Milton Close, Newport, NP19 9PS
About 7 km away
Former Caerleon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Cold Bath Road, Caerleon, NP18 1NF
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 Magor
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