Settling in · Sandown
Landing in Sandown? Start here.
The first fortnight in Sandown, 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
68 places in Sandown 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
Grace Church
Christian, Evangelical
79 Marlborough Road, Ryde, PO33 1AF
About 7 km away
Ryde Elim Church
Christian, Pentecostal
48 Albert Street, Ryde, PO33 2SB
About 8 km away
Church of the Good Shepherd
Christian, Anglican
Sandown Road, Sandown, PO36 9JT
About 2 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Portsmouth City
About 18 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 37 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
Food and takeaways
Eastern Eye
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su,PH 17:00-23:00
95 High Street, Sandown, PO36 8AQ
Royal China Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant
16 High Street, Sandown, PO36 8DE
Mumbai Bites
Indian. restaurant. Hours: We,Th,Su,Mo 17:00-22:00; Tu,Fr,Sa 17:00-23:00
12B High Street, Sandown, PO36 8DA
Lee's Kitchen
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: PH,Tu-Su 17:00-22:00; Mo off
12 Melville Street, Sandown, PO36 8JW
Bay Leaf
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su,PH 17:00-23:00
17 Sandown Road, Sandown, PO36 9JL
About 2 km away
Hong Kong City
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: We-Su 17:00-22:00
112 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AP
About 3 km away
Yummy Tummy
Turkish. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00
23 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AF
About 3 km away
China Garden
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:45-22:00
19 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AF
About 3 km away
Cinnamon
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
7 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AF
About 4 km away
The Houise of Spice
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:00
56 High Street, Shanklin, PO37 6JN
About 4 km away
Black Cat
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 18:00-22:00
83 High Street, Shanklin, PO37 6NR
About 4 km away
Sports and clubs
Shanklin and Godshill Cricket Club
Cricket. Sport club
Westhill Road, Shanklin, PO37 6QB
About 4 km away
Basketball court
Basketball. Pitch
The Heights Leisure Centre
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa,Su 08:00-18:00
13 Broadway, Sandown, PO36 9ET
Anahata Yoga & Pilates
Yoga, pilates. Sports centre
Whitecross Lane, Shanklin, PO37 7EJ
About 3 km away
Isle of Yoga
Yoga. Sports centre
7 Arthurs Hill, Shanklin, PO37 6EW
About 3 km away
Westridge Golf Centre
Golf. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-20:00, Sa-Su 08:00-18:00
Brading Road, Ryde, PO33 1QS
About 6 km away
Westridge Leisure Centre
Fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 08:00-14:00
Brading Road, Ryde, PO33 1QS
About 6 km away
Isle of Wight Indoor Bowls Club
Bowls. Sports centre
Brading Road, Ryde, PO33 1QG
About 6 km away
Ventnor Bowling Club
Bowls. Sports centre. Hours: May-Sep Mo-Sa 10:00-12:30, 14:00-16:30
Mitchell Avenue, Ventnor, PO38 1DP
About 8 km away
Waterside Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Esplanade Ryde, PO33 1JA
About 8 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
UK Hooks
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
Whitecross Lane, Shanklin, PO37 7EJ
About 3 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
Shanklin Voluntary Youth and Community Centre
Community centre
Victoria Avenue, Shanklin, PO37 6PJ
About 4 km away
50 Plus Centre
Community centre
106 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AP
About 3 km away
The Community Care Centre
Community centre
Stockmans Close, Sandown, PO36 0EQ
About 5 km away
Ryde Family Centre Play Room
Community centre
George Street, Ryde, PO33 2JF
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Cutting Cabin
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00
69 High Street, Shanklin, PO37 6JJ
About 4 km away
Scotts Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30
2 Church Street, Ventnor, PO38 1SW
About 8 km away
Ryde Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,We 10:00-18:00; Tu 10:00-16:00; Th,Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
12 High Street, Ryde, PO33 2HS
About 8 km away
Salon 109
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:30-16:00; Tu,We 09:00-14:00; Th-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
109 High Street, Sandown, PO36 8AF
Cinemas and libraries
Sandown Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00; Sa 09:00-12:30,13:30-16:30; We,Su,Mo off
119 High Street, Sandown, PO36 8AF
Shanklin Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:30-12:30,13:30-17:00; Sa 09:00-12:30
Falcon Cross Road, Shanklin, PO37 7LA
About 3 km away
Bembridge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: We,Sa 10:00-12:00
Church Road, Bembridge, PO35 5NA
About 6 km away
Ventnor Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,We,Fr 09:30-12:30,13:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-12:30,13:30-16:30
High Street, Ventnor, PO38 1LZ
About 8 km away
Ryde Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 09:00-17:30; We 10:30-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
101 George Street, Ryde, PO33 2JE
About 8 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 Sandown
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