Settling in · Polegate
Landing in Polegate? Start here.
The first fortnight in Polegate, 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
78 places in Polegate 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
Christian, Salvation army
141 Langney Road, Eastbourne, BN22 8AG
About 7 km away
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
2-4 Grange Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4EU
About 7 km away
St Michael & All Angels, Eastbourne
Christian, Anglican
Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1TN
About 5 km away
Emmanuel Church Eastbourne
Christian, Methodist urc
48A Upperton Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1LQ
About 6 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Eastbourne
About 3 km away
Willingdon Trees Community Centre, 101 Holly Place, Eastbourne, BN22 0UT
Worship services: Wed 6:15pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (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
New China
Chinese. restaurant
22 The Broadway, Eastbourne, BN22 0AS
About 3 km away
China Inn
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo 16:00-21:30 Tu Closed We-Su16:00-21:30
6 Brassey Avenue, Eastbourne, BN22 9NG
About 4 km away
Seaside Grill
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 17:00-23:00 Fr-Sa 17:00-00:00
355 Seaside, Eastbourne, BN22 7PA
About 6 km away
Thai Brasserie
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-15:00,17:30-22:30
Eastbourne BN21 1BD
About 6 km away
Little Elephant Thai Restaurant
Thai. restaurant
55 Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4TX
About 7 km away
The Best Kebab
Burger, kebab. takeaway
14 Langney Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3EU
About 7 km away
Royal Gorkha
Indian, nepalese. restaurant
128 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3PF
About 7 km away
Vina Grill
Kebab, pizza, burger. takeaway
24 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3PA
About 7 km away
Gạo Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 12:00-22:00
219 Terminus Road
About 7 km away
Sabaidee
Thai. restaurant
11 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4BT
About 7 km away
Yummy Noodle Bar
Asian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:30-15:00,17:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-15:00,17:00-22:00
About 6 km away
Golden Flower Kitchen
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: We-Mo 16:00-22:00; Tu off
229 Seaside, Eastbourne, BN22 7NR
About 6 km away
Sports and clubs
Eastbourne & District Indoor Bowls Club
Bowls. Sports centre
5 Hampden Park Drive, Eastbourne, BN22 9QR
About 4 km away
David Lloyd Clubs
Multi. Sports centre
Broadwater Way, BN22 9PZ
About 4 km away
Performance Fitness Limited
Fitness centre
14 Maple Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6NY
About 6 km away
The Gym
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Unit 4c, Pevensey Bay Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6JH
About 6 km away
Anytime Fitness
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
22-24 Langney Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3EU
About 7 km away
Hampden Park Sports Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-22:30, Sa 08:00-18:00, Su 08:15-18:00
Brodrick Road, Eastbourne, BN22 9RQ
About 3 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
The Ordinary Climbers
Sports centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-18:00
Chaucer Business Park, Wealden, BN26 6QH
About 2 km away
Driving schools
Eastbourne Driving Test Centre
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-18:00 Sa 08:00-13:00 Su CLOSED
84 Wartling Road, Eastbourne, BN22 7PT
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Willingdon Trees Community Centre
Community centre
Holly Place, Eastbourne, BN22 0UT
About 3 km away
Sovereign Harbour Community Centre
Community centre
Pevensey Bay Road, Eastbourne, BN23 6JH
About 6 km away
East Dean Village Hall
Community centre
Village Green Lane, Wealden, BN20 0DR
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Eagles Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser
12-14 Terminus Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3LP
About 6 km away
The Grove Experience
Hairdresser
64 Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UH
About 7 km away
Little Chelsea
Hairdresser
41 South Street, Eastbourne, BN21 4UP
About 7 km away
Studio One Hairdressing
Hairdresser
36 South Street, Eastbourne
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Hampden Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Tu 10:00-13:00; We Closed Th 10:00-13:00; Fr 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:30; Su Closed
Brodrick Close, Eastbourne, BN22 9NQ
About 4 km away
Cineworld
Cinema. Hours: Sa-Th 13:30-23:00; Fr 13:30-24:00
Terminus Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3NW
About 6 km away
Willingdon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Scanlon Close, Wealden, BN20 9PQ
About 2 km away
Eastbourne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1DD
About 6 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 Polegate
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