Settling in · Rowlands Castle
Landing in Rowlands Castle? Start here.
The first fortnight in Rowlands Castle, 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
67 places in Rowlands Castle 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. Peter's Church
Christian, Anglican
St Peter's Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0RX
About 7 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Portsmouth City
About 12 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 35 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 9 km away
Food and takeaways
Jade Garden
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:30,17:00-23:00; Su 12:30-21:30
123 London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7EB
About 5 km away
Istanbul Grill
Burger, chicken, kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 15:00-00:00; Fr-Sa 15:00-02:00
280 London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7DS
About 5 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 5 km away
Hakka Kitchen
Chinese. takeaway
75b London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7EL
About 5 km away
Massalla Hut
Curry, indian. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
244B London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7HG
About 5 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 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 8 km away
The Pacific
Thai, sushi, cocktails. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
230 Havant Road, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA
About 8 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 8 km away
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 9 km away
The Light
Chinese, asian. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-23:00
61 London Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7EX
About 5 km away
Hayling Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su,PH 17:00-22:30; Mo off
25 Havant Road, Hayling Island, PO11 0PT
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Back To Fitness
Boxing, fitness, weights. Fitness centre
London Road, Waterlooville
About 5 km away
Waterlooville Boxing Club
Gymnastics. Fitness centre
3 Saint George's Walk, Waterlooville, PO7 7TU
About 5 km away
Waterlooville Leisure Centre
Swimming, squash, table tennis, badminton, soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, trampoline. Sports centre
About 6 km away
Gorilla Grapplers
Gymnastics. Fitness centre
Waterlooville PO7 7HE
About 5 km away
Peter Ashley Activity Centre
Sports centre
Peter Ashley Lane, Portsmouth, PO6 1EY
About 7 km away
Horizon Health and Fitness Club
Sports centre
High Street, Cosham, Portsmouth
About 9 km away
Driving schools
2 Start Training
Driving school
4 Shawcross Industrial Park, Portsmouth, PO3 5HU
About 10 km away
Community and support groups
The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00
56 East Street, Havant, PO9 1BS
About 5 km away
The Drayton Centre
Community centre
238 Havant Road, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA
About 8 km away
1st Clanfield Scout Group
Community centre
Little Hyden Lane, East Hampshire, PO8 0RU
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Turkish Line
Hairdresser. Hours: 09:00-19:00
224D Havant Road, Portsmouth
About 8 km away
Barbers and salons
Felthams
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
318b London Road, Waterlooville
About 5 km away
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 7 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 5 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 3 km away
Horndean Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 14:00-17:00; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Th 14:00-17:00; Fr 14:00-19:00
12 Five Heads Road, East Hampshire, PO8 9NW
About 4 km away
Havant Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:30-17:30, Th 09:30-13:30, Fr-Sa 09:30-17:30
Elm Lane, Havant, PO9 1UN
About 5 km away
Emsworth Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
South Street, Havant, PO10 7EH
About 5 km away
Southbourne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
First Avenue, Chichester, PO10 8HN
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 Rowlands Castle
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