Settling in · Ravenshead
Landing in Ravenshead? Start here.
The first fortnight in Ravenshead, 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
75 places in Ravenshead 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
Salvation Army Church
Christian, Salvation army
Victoria Street, Mansfield, NG18 5SB
About 7 km away
United Reformed Church Bulwell
Christian, United reformed
Broomhill Road, Nottingham, NG6 9GJ
About 10 km away
The Bridge Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Mansfield Road, Ashfield, NG17 4FN
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Nottingham
About 18 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
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
Ming's Cuisine
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: 16:30-22:00; We off; Fr,Sa 16:30-22:30
131 Newgate Lane, Mansfield, NG18 2LG
About 7 km away
Modhu Mitha
Indian. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
11-15 Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield, NG18 2JA
About 7 km away
Shoknan African Restaurant and Bar
African. restaurant. Hours: Mo 13:00-22:00; Tu-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-02:00; Su 13:00-22:00
20 Regent Street, Mansfield, NG18 1SS
About 7 km away
Winner City
Chinese. restaurant
Old Rufford Road, Newark and Sherwood, NG22 8JD
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Redhill Leisure Centre
Soccer, badminton, weightlifting. Sports centre
Redhill Road, Nottingham, NG5 8GX
About 9 km away
Southglade Sports Park
Soccer, hockey. Sports centre
Kings Moor, Nottingham, NG5 5GU
About 9 km away
Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre
Swimming. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00; Sa 07:30-17:00; Su 08:30-17:00
Westdale Road, Mansfield, NG19 7BZ
About 8 km away
Arnold Leisure Centre
Swimming, fitness. Sports centre
High Street, Nottingham, NG5 7EE
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
The Matchman Angling Centre
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
5 Bannerman Road, Nottingham, NG6 9JA
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Ladybrook Community Centre
Community centre
Ladybrook Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5JJ
About 8 km away
Hucknall Young People's Centre
Community centre
69 Linby Road, Nottingham, NG15 7TX
About 5 km away
Men in Sheds - Ransom Wood
Community centre
Southwell Road West, Mansfield, NG21 0HJ
About 5 km away
Park Road Resource Centre
Community centre
53 Park Road, Mansfield, NG19 8EG
About 9 km away
Top Valley Community Centre
Community centre
Top Valley Way, Top Valley, Nottingham, NG5 9DD
About 9 km away
Rainworth Village Hall
Community centre
Kirklington Road, Newark and Sherwood, NG21 0JP
About 5 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
Rainworth Community Partnership Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 10:00-12:00
Kirklington Road, Mansfield, NG21 0JY
About 5 km away
Mansfield Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su 11:00-15:00
Westgate Mansfield, NG18 1NH
About 7 km away
Mansfield Woodhouse Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-12:30; Tu,Th 09:30-18:30; Fr 09:30-16:00; Sa 09:30-13:00
Church Street, Mansfield, NG19 8AH
About 9 km away
Clipstone Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 14:00-17:00; We 10:00-13:00,13:30-17:00
First Avenue, Mansfield, NG21 9DA
About 9 km away
Forest Town Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-12:30; Tu,Th 09:30-17:30; We,Fr off
Clipstone Road West, Mansfield, NG19 0AA
About 7 km away
Ladybrook Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 09:00-13:00,13:30-17:00; Sa 09:00-12:30
Ladybrook Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5JH
About 7 km away
Selston Community Partnership Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Chapel Road, Nottingham, NG16 6BW
About 10 km away
Ravenshead Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 10:00-13:00; Fr 13:00-16:00
Milton Court, Nottingham, NG15 9BD
Blidworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
New Lane, Mansfield, NG21 0PW
About 4 km away
Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00
Lowmoor Road, Ashfield, NG17 7BP
About 5 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 Ravenshead
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