Settling in · Markfield
Landing in Markfield? Start here.
The first fortnight in Markfield, 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
61 places in Markfield 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
Ibstock Baptist Chapel
Christian, Baptist
Chapel Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 6HF
About 8 km away
The Salvation Army - Leicester West
Christian, Salvation army
330 Aikman Avenue, Leicester, LE3 9PW
About 8 km away
James Street Church
Christian, Pentecostal
James Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3BX
About 8 km away
Markfield Congregational Church
Christian, Congregational
St Michael
Christian, Anglican
Trinity Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Cemetery Chapel
Christian
St James the Greater
Christian, Anglican
Oaks Road, North West Leicestershire, LE12 9YD
About 6 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 27 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
Food and takeaways
Tandoori Empire
Indian. restaurant
6 High Street, Charnwood, LE12 8DT
About 10 km away
Indian Fusion
Indian. restaurant
Cafe Chutney
Indian. restaurant
7 Marlborough Square, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3WD
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Ellistown Football Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Ellistown Terrace Road, North West Leicestershire, LE67 1EZ
About 5 km away
Leicester Ivanhoe Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East, LE3 3PJ
About 8 km away
Leicester Forest Rugby Football Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East, LE3 3PJ
About 8 km away
Braunstone Leisure Centre
Swimming, badminton, basketball, fitness. Sports centre
2 Hamelin Road, Leicester, LE3 1JN
About 9 km away
Ibstock United Junior & Youth Football Club
Soccer. Sports centre
Ashby Road, North West Leicestershire, LE67 6HB
About 9 km away
Ravenstone Football Club
Sports centre
Ravenslea North West Leicestershire, LE67 2AW
About 9 km away
Westfields Tennis Club
Tennis. Sports centre
21a Eastfield Road, Leicester, LE3 6FE
About 9 km away
IBSTOCK UNITED JUNIOR & YOUTH FC
Sports centre
48 Ashby Road, North West Leicestershire, LE67 6HA
About 8 km away
Hermitage Leisure Centre
Sports centre
Silver Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 5EX
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
C.A.N HQ
Community centre
Memorial Square, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3TU
About 8 km away
Agar Nook Community Centre
Community centre
Belgrave Close, North West Leicestershire, LE67 4TN
About 5 km away
The Palace
Community centre
High Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 6LG
About 8 km away
Thornton Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:30
Main Street, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE67 1BS
About 3 km away
Markfield Community Centre
Community centre
Hugglescote Community Centre
Community centre
Grange Road, North West Leicestershire, LE67 2BR
About 7 km away
Beaumont Lodge Neighbourhood Association
Community centre
Churchbell Way, Leicester, LE4 1DR
About 8 km away
Braunstone Frith Recreation Centre
Community centre
6 Whitman Close, Leicester, LE3 6PA
About 8 km away
Home Farm Neighbourhood Centre
Community centre
55 Home Farm Close, Leicester, LE4 0SU
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Main St. Barbers
Hairdresser
32A Main Street, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE6 0LL
About 5 km away
The Mens Room
Hairdresser
Owen Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3DD
About 8 km away
Bella & Colleen Hairdressers
Hairdresser
8 Jackson Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3LT
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Coalville Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 08:00-10:00,10:00-13:00,13:00-19:00; Fr 08:00-13:00,13:00-19:00; Tu-Th 08:00-10:00,10:00-17:00,17:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-13:00,10:00-14:00,14:00-18:00; Su off
High Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3EA
About 8 km away
Beaumont Leys Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:30; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; Su off; PH off
Beaumont Way, Leicester, LE4 1DS
About 8 km away
Markfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Oakfield Avenue, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE67 9WH
Groby Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Leicester Road, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE6 0DQ
About 5 km away
Ratby Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Main Street, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE6 0LN
About 5 km away
Anstey Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Paper Mill Close, Charnwood, LE7 7AU
About 6 km away
Glenfield Libary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-17:00; Tu 13:00-18:00; PH,Th,Su off; Sa 10:00-15:00
Sandown Court, Glenfield, LE3 8BT
About 6 km away
Desford Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Main Street, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE9 9GR
About 7 km away
Kirby Muxloe Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Station Road, Kirby Muxloe, LE9 2ES
About 7 km away
Newbold Verdon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Main Street, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE9 9NP
About 8 km away
Our Library @ Newbold Verdon
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Main Street, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE9 9NU
About 8 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 Markfield
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