Settling in · Mottram
Landing in Mottram? Start here.
The first fortnight in Mottram, 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
79 places in Mottram 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 Mary's C of E Church, Haughton Green
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Tu 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-16:00; Fr 09:00-13:00
Meadow Lane, Manchester, M34 7GD
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army - Oldham Roundthorn
Christian, Salvation army
203 Roundthorn Road, Oldham, OL4 5LD
About 8 km away
The Salvation Army - Openshaw
Christian, Salvation army
Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 1DA
About 9 km away
St John the Evangelist
Christian, Anglican
155 King's Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8EZ
About 5 km away
All Saints R.C Church
Christian, Roman catholic
Church Street, High Peak, SK13 7RJ
About 6 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Al-Madina Jamia Masjid
Muslim, Sunni
230-240 Waterloo Street, Oldham, OL4 1ES
About 9 km away
Hindu temples
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 18 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (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
Food and takeaways
Candolim
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 17:00-24:00; Su 16:30-23:00
71 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2QP
About 2 km away
Magic Pizza
Pizza, burger, kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-23:45,Fr-Sa 16:00-00:45, Su 16:00-23:00
16 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3AD
About 2 km away
Plaza
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-23:00, Fr 16:00-00:00, Sa 13:00-24:00 Su 13:00-22:00
90 Audenshaw Road, Manchester, M34 5HP
About 6 km away
Coriander Curry House
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-24:00; Su 16:00-22:00
1 Shepley Street, High Peak, SK13 7RZ
About 6 km away
The Pearl Restaurant & Bar
Indian. restaurant
119 Manchester Road, Manchester, M34 5PY
About 7 km away
Famous Indian
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Tu off; Sa-Su 16:30-22:30; Mo,We-Fr 17:00-22:30
661 Manchester Road, Denton, Manchester, M34 2NA
About 8 km away
Tokies
Kebab, burger, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:30-22:55
89 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2QS
About 2 km away
Food Spot
Kebab, pizza, burger. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-00:30
85 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2QS
About 2 km away
The Rajni
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
95 Station Road, Hadfield, SK13 1AR
About 4 km away
Sue's
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Sa 12:00-13:45,Tu-Sa 17:00-23:00,Su 17:00-23:00
96 Penny Meadow, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6EP
About 5 km away
Sports and clubs
Micklehurst Cricket & Social Club
Social club
Castle Lane, Micklehurst, Mossley, SK15 3QG
About 5 km away
Denton Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Egerton Street, Denton, Manchester, M34 3PB
About 6 km away
Newton Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Barmhouse Lane, Godley, Hyde, SK14 3BX
About 3 km away
Tintwistle Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Speedwell Close, High Peak, SK13 1LU
About 3 km away
Hyde Cricket & Squash Club
Cricket, squash. Sports centre
Werneth Low Road, Hyde, Stockport, SK14 3AA
About 5 km away
Old Glossop Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Manor Park Road, High Peak, SK13 7SQ
About 7 km away
Saddleworth Cricket Bowling & Tennis Club
Sports centre
Calf Lane, Oldham, OL5 9DT
About 7 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Fastpass Driving School
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:30
Heatley Close, Tameside, M34 2JD
About 8 km away
Community and support groups
Glossop ACE Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo,Tu,We,Th 08:30-16:30,Fr 08:30-15:30
Talbot Street, High Peak, SK13 7DG
About 6 km away
Gamesley Community & Sports Centre
Community centre
Melandra Castle Road, High Peak, SK13 0JQ
About 4 km away
Richmond Street Community Centre
Community centre
Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9HG
About 6 km away
Fatima Women's Association
Community centre
Marlborough Street, Oldham, OL4 1EG
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Hairess
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo Closed,Tu-We 0900-1800,Th 1000-1900,Fr 0900-1800, Sa 0900-1600, Su Closed
47 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2QP
About 2 km away
Majestic Barbershop
Hairdresser
33 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3AD
About 2 km away
Dark Peak Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:30-18:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-14:30
77 Station Road, Hadfield, SK13 1AR
About 4 km away
Steven Andrews Salon
Hairdresser
776 Hyde Road, Manchester, M18 7JD
About 9 km away
Pure Hairdressing
Hairdresser
653 Manchester Road, Manchester, M34 2NA
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Glossop Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:30-17:00,We 09:30-18:00
Talbot Street, High Peak, SK13 7DG
About 6 km away
Greenfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 14:00-17:00; We,Th 14:00-19:00; Fr,Sa 09:30-13:00
Chew Vale, Oldham, OL3 7DB
About 7 km away
Droylsden Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Manchester Road, Droylsden, Manchester, M43 6EP
About 8 km away
Denton West End Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Windsor Road, Tameside
About 8 km away
Limehurst Library & Information Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Lime Green Parade, Oldham, OL8 3HH
About 8 km away
Uppermill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00
High Street, Oldham, OL3 6AQ
About 9 km away
Oldham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ashworth Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL
About 9 km away
Hyde Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-15:00
Greenfield Street, Hyde, SK14 1AL
About 4 km away
Stalybridge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
About 2 km away
Hadfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 14:00-19:00,Th 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00,Sa 09:30-13:00
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 Mottram
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