Settling in · Portchester
Landing in Portchester? Start here.
The first fortnight in Portchester, 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
89 places in Portchester 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.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
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 - Gosport
Christian, Salvation army
The Crossways, Gosport, PO12 4RH
About 5 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
17 Lake Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4HA
About 6 km away
Immanuel
Christian, Baptist
109 Victoria Road North, Southsea, PO5 1PS
About 7 km away
Southsea Citadel
Christian, Salvation army
84 Albert Road, Southsea, PO5 2SN
About 8 km away
Portsmouth SDA Church
Christian, Seventh day adventist
133 Chichester Road, Portsmouth, PO2 0AQ
About 5 km away
Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury
Christian, Anglican
High Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2HH
About 7 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Portsmouth Central Masjid
Muslim, Sunni
300 Somers Road North, Portsmouth, PO1 1PL
About 6 km away
Portsmouth Jami Mosque
Muslim, Sunni
111 Victoria Road North, Portsmouth, PO5 1PS
About 7 km away
Portsmouth Muslim Academy
Muslim
389a Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4QL
About 5 km away
Synagogues
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Portsmouth City
About 6 km away
St. Cuthbert's Center, 2 Lichfield Road, Copner, P03 6DE
Worship services: Thu 6:15pm · Sat 10:30am · Sat 12:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southampton
About 24 km away
St. Peter's Church, Lockerly Cresent, Southampton, SO16 4ER
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm · Sat 6:00pm (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
Widley Grocery Food & Drink
Convenience. stocks Asian goods
53 High Street, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3AX
About 4 km away
Tasty Europe Foods
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00
152A Kingston Road, Portsmouth, PO2 7PD
About 5 km away
Afro Cart Foods
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-19:00
80A Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1LN
About 7 km away
Okey Oriental Supermarket
Supermarket
104,106 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1LP
About 7 km away
Food and takeaways
Gandhi Indian Takeaway
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Su-Mo 17:00-23:00; We-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:30
20 Wayte Street, Portsmouth, PO6 3BS
About 4 km away
Guru Express
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su,PH 17:00-23:00
414 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9LB
About 4 km away
Wild Mango
Indian. takeaway. Hours: 17:00-23:00
341 Copnor Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5EQ
About 5 km away
New Kung Fu Wok
Chinese, thai, malaysian. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo,PH 17:00-23:00
23B Rowner Road, Gosport, PO13 9UE
About 5 km away
Take Away Food Centre
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 17:00-23:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-00:00
204-206 Havant Road, Portsmouth, PO6 2EH
About 5 km away
The Pacific
Thai, sushi, cocktails. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
230 Havant Road, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA
About 5 km away
Mowchak Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Sa,PH 12:00-14:30,17:30-24:00; Fr 17:30-24:00
270 Havant Road, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA
About 6 km away
Jade Plaice
Chinese, fish and chips, thai. takeaway. Hours: Mo,Su 17:00-22:00; We-Sa 12:00-14:15,17:00-22:00
240 London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7HB
About 7 km away
Massalla Hut
Curry, indian. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
244B London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7HG
About 7 km away
Hakka Kitchen
Chinese. takeaway
75b London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7EL
About 7 km away
Spicy House
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 17:00-23:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-00:00
8 Grove Road South, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3QT
About 7 km away
Red Rose Lounge
Bangladeshi, indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:30-22:30; Fr,Sa 17:30-23:00
258 London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7HG
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Gym 01
Kickboxing, fitness, martial arts, boxing, jiu-jitsu. Sports centre. Hours: 24/7
Rodney Road, Portsmouth, PO4 8DF
About 7 km away
Gosport & Fareham RFC
Rugby league. Sports centre
Crossland Close, Gosport, PO12 2HE
About 7 km away
Back To Fitness
Boxing, fitness, weights. Fitness centre
London Road, Waterlooville
About 7 km away
Waterlooville Leisure Centre
Swimming, squash, table tennis, badminton, soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, trampoline. Sports centre
About 7 km away
Waterlooville Boxing Club
Gymnastics. Fitness centre
3 Saint George's Walk, Waterlooville, PO7 7TU
About 7 km away
Praetorian MMA
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-21:00; Fr 15:30-20:30; Sa 09:00-00:00
176 Nobes Avenue, PO13 0HY
About 4 km away
Anytime Fitness
Weightlifting. Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
131 Stoke Road, Gosport, PO12 1SD
About 6 km away
24|7 Fitness
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Unit 2D, Fratton Way, Portsmouth, PO4 8SH
About 7 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Last Cast Saloon
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
South Street, Gosport, PO12 1HA
About 6 km away
Solent Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 7 km away
Arthurs Chandlery
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
Mumby Road, Gosport
About 6 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
2 Start Training
Driving school
4 Shawcross Industrial Park, Portsmouth, PO3 5HU
About 5 km away
Community and support groups
The Drayton Centre
Community centre
238 Havant Road, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA
About 5 km away
Eastney Community Centre
Community centre
Bransbury Road, Eastney, PO4 9SU
About 8 km away
Southsea Waverley Bowls Club
Community centre
91 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Turkish Line
Hairdresser. Hours: 09:00-19:00
224D Havant Road, Portsmouth
About 5 km away
Zealan's Traditional Turkish Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-18:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Milvil Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9LY
About 8 km away
Barbers and salons
Vola Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 10:00-17:00; Tu 10:00-16:00; We 10:00-19:30; Th 10:00-17:00; Fr 10:00-19:30; Sa 09:00-16:00
44 London Road, Havant, PO7 5LJ
About 6 km away
the terrace
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
29 Landport Terrace, Portsmouth, PO1 2RG
About 7 km away
Felthams
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
318b London Road, Waterlooville
About 8 km away
Kensington Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: We-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:00; Tu 10:00-18:00
13-15 Highland Road, Southsea, PO4 9DA
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Waterlooville Library and Learning Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00; Tu 09:30-13:30
25 The Precinct, Waterlooville, PO7 7DT
About 8 km away
Fareham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-19:00; Tu-We 09:00-17:00; Th-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
Osborn Road, Fareham, PO16 7EN
About 4 km away
North End Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Gladys Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9AX
About 5 km away
Gosport Discovery Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
High Street, Gosport, PO12 1BT
About 6 km away
University of Portsmouth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2ST
About 6 km away
Stubbington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-19:00; Tu 09:00-17:00; We closed; Th-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; Su closed
Stubbington Lane, Fareham, PO14 2PP
About 7 km away
Cineworld Whiteley
Cinema. Hours: "According to screenings"
Bluebell Way, Winchester, PO15 7FG
About 10 km away
Leigh Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu, Th-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:30
Tidworth Road, Havant, PO9 5FB
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 Portchester
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