Settling in · Marks Gate
Landing in Marks Gate? Start here.
The first fortnight in Marks Gate, 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
85 places in Marks Gate 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
St Stephens Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
146 Little Ilford Lane, London, E12 5PJ
About 8 km away
Manor Park Christian Centre
Christian, Evangelical
454 High Street North, London, E12 6RH
About 8 km away
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Lazarus and St. Andrew the Apostle
Christian, Greek orthodox
Rutland Road, London, E7 8PH
About 9 km away
The Healing Church of God in Christ
Christian, Evangelical
62 Field Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 9DL
About 10 km away
St Edward's, Romford
Christian, Anglican
Market Place, Greater London, RM1 3AB
About 3 km away
St Peter's Church
Christian, Anglican
Aldborough Road, Greater London, IG2 7SZ
About 3 km away
The Salvation Army - Woodford
Christian, Salvation army
26 Daisy Road, Greater London, E18 1EA
About 8 km away
Manor Park Spiritualist Church
Christian, Spiritualist
153a Shrewsbury Road, Greater London, E7 8QJ
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Central Park Community Centre
Muslim
269 High Street South, Greater London, E6 3PG
About 10 km away
Hindu temples
London Sri Murugan Temple
Hindu
78 Church Road, Greater London, E12 6AF
About 8 km away
Synagogues
East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue
Jewish, Liberal
Marlborough Road, Greater London, E18 1AR
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 11 km away
25 MEATH ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 3DS, ENGLAND
Worship services: Wed 7:00am · Wed 7:00pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sun 9:00am · Sun 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 11 km away
Temporarily using, Stratford chapel, 25 Meath road, London, England, E15 3DS
Worship services: Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children) · Sat 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 14 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 21 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 21 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 22 km away
The Clock Tower Pavillon, Swanley Town Council, St. Mary's road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 25 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 26 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 26 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 28 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 34 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Hertfordshire
About 35 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southend
About 36 km away
71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 10:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 41 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 44 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 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
Himalaya Halal Meat
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-19:00
3 Carlton Terrace, Forest Gate, London, E7 8LH
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
A1 Kebabish Grill
Pakistani, kebab. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-01:00
684 Romford Road, London, E12 5AJ
About 8 km away
Pak Choi
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-23:00; Sa-Su 14:00-23:00
202 High Road, Loughton, IG10 1ET
About 9 km away
Priya Restaurant
Sri lankan, indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00
209 High Street North, London, E6 1JG
About 9 km away
Great Wall
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 17:00-22:00; Tu off
12 Roding Lane South, Greater London, IG4 5PD
About 7 km away
Aromas Tandoori Restaurant
Nepalese, curry, indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
172 Forest Lane, Greater London, E7 9BB
About 10 km away
Nawabi Dine
Regional, kebab, breakfast, asian, diner, fine dining, salad, fries, kacchi biriyani, pilao, bhuna khichuri, shingara, tandurichicken, plainnan, kalabhuna, steam momo, marogpilau, mixvegetable, paratha. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
26 Plashet Grove, Greater London, E6 1AE
About 10 km away
Round House Chinese
Chinese. restaurant
439a Porters Avenue, Greater London, RM9 4ND
About 6 km away
Kyto Pan-Asian Restaurant
Asian. restaurant
692-294 Chigwell Road, Greater London, IG8 8AL
About 6 km away
Sports and clubs
Wanstead Leisure Centre
Badminton, basketball, fitness, gymnastics, netball, squash, volleyball. Sports centre
Redbridge Lane West, Greater London, E11 2JZ
About 8 km away
Power League - 5 A Side Football
Soccer. Sports centre
Jenkins Lane, Greater London, IG11 0AD
About 9 km away
Chigwell Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Green Lane, Epping Forest, IG7 6DN
About 5 km away
The Gym Factory
Fitness, weightlifting. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00
7-9 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0NG
About 9 km away
Gym Spot
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo 08:00-21:00, Tu 12:15-21:00, We 07:30-21:00, Th 12:15-21:00, Fr 07:30-21:00, Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 10:00-15:00
205a Plashet Road, London, E13 0QZ
About 10 km away
Noak Hill Sports Complex
Sports centre
Noak Hill Road, Greater London, RM3 7FL
About 5 km away
Jim Peters Stadium
Multi. Sports centre
Hepworth Gardens, Greater London, IG11 9AZ
About 6 km away
Cranbrook Castle Lawn Tennis & Social Club
Tennis. Sports centre
Pavilion Road, Greater London, IG1 3PG
About 6 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Kims School of Motoring
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
Oak Hill Road, Epping Forest, RM4 1JL
About 5 km away
Cardrome - Driver Training School
Driving school
Turner Road, Greater London, RM12 4EG
About 5 km away
Community and support groups
Umm Al-Qura Centre
Community centre
530-542 High Street North, London, E12 6QN
About 8 km away
The Well Community Centre
Community centre
49 Vicarage Lane, East Ham, London, E6 6DQ
About 9 km away
Keith Axon Centre
Community centre
160-170 Grove Road, Greater London, RM6 4XB
About 3 km away
Tiptree Crescent Community Centre
Community centre
Tiptree Crescent, Greater London, IG5 0SY
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Hair Design Co
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:00; We 09:30-20:00; Th-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:30
2 Elm Park Avenue, Greater London, RM12 4RS
About 6 km away
Ali Hairdresser
Hairdresser
121 Belgrave Road, Greater London, IG1 3EF
About 7 km away
Likkle Cee's Salon
Hairdresser
7 London Road, Greater London, IG11 8AF
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Lumiere Cinema Romford
Cinema
Exon Apartments, Greater London, RM1 3EE
About 3 km away
Robert Jayes Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Road, Greater London, RM6 6AS
About 2 km away
Gidea Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
168 Balgores Lane, Greater London, RM2 6BS
About 5 km away
Upminster Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Corbets Tey Road, Greater London, RM14 2AX
About 8 km away
The Gate Forest Gate Community Neighbourhood
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00
6-8 Woodgrange Road, London, E7 0QH
About 10 km away
Collier Row Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
45 Collier Row Road, Greater London, RM5 3NR
Romford Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
A118 Greater London, RM1 3AR
About 3 km away
Fullwell Cross Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
140 High Street, Greater London, IG6 2EA
About 4 km away
Valence Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Becontree Avenue, Greater London, RM8 3HA
About 4 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 Marks Gate
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