Settling in · Shepshed
Landing in Shepshed? Start here.
The first fortnight in Shepshed, 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
58 places in Shepshed 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
Woodhouse Eaves Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
51 Main Street, Charnwood, LE12 8RY
About 7 km away
Knightthorpe Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Knightthorpe Road, Charnwood, LE11 5NQ
About 4 km away
St Mary the Virgin
Christian, Anglican
Church Lane, North West Leicestershire, LE12 9XF
About 5 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Hindu temples
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
International Supermarket
Supermarket
52 Sparrow Hill, Charnwood, LE11 1DE
About 6 km away
Food and takeaways
Imge
Turkish. restaurant
36 High Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3ED
About 8 km away
Turkish Kebabs House
Turkish, kebab. restaurant
2 Jackson Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3LT
About 8 km away
Cafe Chutney
Indian. restaurant
7 Marlborough Square, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3WD
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
John Skillen Martial Arts & Fitness Centre
Fitness centre
14 Pinfold Gate, Charnwood, LE11 1BE
About 6 km away
Ravenstone Football Club
Sports centre
Ravenslea North West Leicestershire, LE67 2AW
About 9 km away
Donington Park
Motor. Sports centre
Walton Hill, Derby, DE74 2RP
About 9 km away
Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre
Sports centre
Stephenson Way, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3FE
About 7 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
C.A.N HQ
Community centre
Memorial Square, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3TU
About 8 km away
Long Whatton Community Centre
Community centre
The Green, North West Leicestershire, LE12 5DB
About 4 km away
Moira Youth and Community Centre
Community centre
Wellington Street, Charnwood, LE11 1EF
About 6 km away
Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Annex
Community centre
Main Street, Charnwood, LE12 8RY
About 7 km away
Army Cadet Force - Castle Donington Detachment
Community centre
Delven Lane, Derby, DE74 2LJ
About 8 km away
Hugglescote Community Centre
Community centre
Grange Road, North West Leicestershire, LE67 2BR
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Three D Hair
Hairdresser
3 Market Place, North West Leicestershire, LE67 5DT
About 6 km away
Ryan's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 08:30-20:30; Sa 07:30-13:30
93 Belvoir Road, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3PH
About 8 km away
Number One Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-14:00
2 Brookside, LE12 6PB
About 10 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Hathern Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 14:00-18:00; We,Fr 10:00-12:30; Sa 10:00-12:00
Greenhill Rise, Charnwood, LE12 5LG
About 4 km away
Coalville Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 08:00-10:00,10:00-13:00,13:00-19:00; Fr 08:00-13:00,13:00-19:00; Tu-Th 08:00-10:00,10:00-17:00,17:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-13:00,10:00-14:00,14:00-18:00; Su off
High Street, North West Leicestershire, LE67 3EA
About 8 km away
Castle Donington Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
101 Bondgate, Derby, DE74 2NR
About 9 km away
Pilkington Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Elvyn Way, Charnwood, LE11 3UR
About 4 km away
Kegworth Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-Th 14:00-16:30; Fr 14:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-12:00
High Street, Derby, DE74 2DA
About 7 km away
School Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Orchard Estate, Charnwood, LE12 8DZ
About 8 km away
Barrow upon Soar Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-17:00; We,Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-12:00
North Street, Charnwood, LE12 8PZ
About 10 km away
Markfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Oakfield Avenue, Hinckley and Bosworth, LE67 9WH
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 Shepshed
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