Settling in · Shorne
Landing in Shorne? Start here.
The first fortnight in Shorne, 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
97 places in Shorne 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 Strood
Christian, Salvation army
Gun Lane, Strood, Rochester, ME2 4UH
About 5 km away
The Salvation Army - Gravesend
Christian, Salvation army
34 The Grove, Gravesend, DA12 1DX
About 5 km away
Cornerstone City Church
Christian, Evangelical
Jasper Avenue, Rochester, ME1 2LD
About 7 km away
St John’s Church
Christian, Church of england
18 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4JT
About 7 km away
The Salvation Army, Chatham
Christian, Salvation army
Church Street, Chatham, ME4 4BT
About 8 km away
St Mark's Church
Christian, Anglican
173 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5UA
About 8 km away
Gillingham Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
6 Green Street, Gillingham, ME7 5TJ
About 9 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
50 Green Street, Gillingham, ME7 1XA
About 9 km away
Endtime Evangelical Church
Christian
33-37 Second Avenue, Chatham, ME4 5AY
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Gravesend Central Mosque
Muslim
11 Albion Terrace, Gravesend, DA12 2SX
About 5 km away
Hindu temples
Gurdwaras
Siri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara
Sikh
Khalsa Avenue, Gravesend, DA12 1AG
About 5 km away
Synagogues
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 19 km away
The Clock Tower Pavillon, Swanley Town Council, St. Mary's road, Swanley, BR8 7BU
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southend
About 21 km away
71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 10:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 27 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 32 km away
Temporarily using, Stratford chapel, 25 Meath road, London, England, E15 3DS
Worship services: Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children) · Sat 6:30pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Stratford, London
About 32 km away
25 MEATH ROAD, STRATFORD, LONDON, E15 3DS, ENGLAND
Worship services: Wed 7:00am · Wed 7:00pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sun 9:00am · Sun 11:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 37 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Central London
About 41 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 42 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 43 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 44 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (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
KJ Convenience Store & Off License
Alcohol
44 Jeffery Street, Gillingham, ME7 1DD
About 9 km away
Food and takeaways
Tufail
Indian. restaurant
139 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1EZ
About 5 km away
Beybaba
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-21:00; Sa-Su 12:00-22:00
4 North Street, Strood, ME2 4SH
About 5 km away
Bangkok Mami
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 16:30-22:30; Fr,Sa 12:00-14:00,16:30-23:00; Su 13:00-22:30
156 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 5 km away
The Rickshaw
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
165 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 5 km away
Shapla
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
166 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 5 km away
Singh's
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 09:00-18:00
151 Milton Road, Gravesend, DA12 2RG
About 5 km away
Turkuaz Rochester
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00,Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00
Chariot Way, Rochester, ME2 2SS
About 5 km away
China Garden
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-14:00,17:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-14:00,17:30-23:30; Su 13:00-22:00
33 Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1AS
About 5 km away
Chattorey
Indian. restaurant
65 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, DA11 0QB
About 5 km away
Limehouse Thai Restaurant
Thai. restaurant
327 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1DA
About 7 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
4 Leviathan Way, Chatham, ME4 4LL
About 7 km away
Red Sun Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: We,Th,Su,Mo 17:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 17:00-23:30
1 Mills Terrace, Chatham, ME4 5NZ
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
The Prince of Wales
Football, darts. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-01:00; Su 10:00-22:30
1-3 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HU
About 7 km away
Medway Park Sports Centre
Basketball, swimming, athletics, running, gymnastics, badminton, archery, cricket, cycling, football, netball, rugby, scuba diving, squash, table tennis, tennis, volleyball. Sports centre. Hours: Mo,Tu,We,Th,Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa,Su 08:00-16:00
Mill Road, Gillingham, ME7 1HF
About 8 km away
Waterfront Leisure Centre
Swimming, badminton, squash, snooker, pool, yoga, pilates, aerobics, spin, gym. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00, Sa-Su 07:00-20:00
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Medway Tackle Supplies
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
374 Canterbury Street
About 10 km away
Rod & Line Angling Centre
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 7 km away
NJ Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 5 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
Chadwell Village Hall
Community centre
Waterson Road, Chadwell St Mary, RM16 4NX
About 8 km away
Main Hall
Community centre
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX
About 9 km away
Sunlight Centre
Community centre
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX
About 9 km away
Club AUsome Community Hub
Community centre. Hours: Sa 10:00-18:00; Su off; Mo off; Tu 10:00-18:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-18:00
Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5TX
About 8 km away
38th/40th Strood Sea Scout Group
Community centre
Dart Close, Rochester, Strood, ME2 2EH
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
The Nuthouse Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-19:00; Th 09:00-21:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:30
152 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 5 km away
Rochester Hair
Hairdresser
163a High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EY
About 6 km away
Hanns Professional
Hairdresser
17 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HU
About 7 km away
Magic Scissors Barbers
Hairdresser
High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1BB
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Strood Library & Community Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
133 High Street, Strood, ME2 4TJ
About 5 km away
Gravesend Library and Information
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BE
About 5 km away
East Tilbury Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, We, Fr, Su off; Tu, Th 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Princess Avenue, East Tilbury, RM18 8ST
About 7 km away
The Thomas Aveling School and Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Arethusa Road, Rochester, ME1 2UW
About 8 km away
Gillingham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
3 High Street, Gillingham, ME7 5AH
About 8 km away
Luton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Fr 14:00-17:00; We 09:00-13:00; Th 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:45-16:00
2 Nelson Terrace, Chatham, ME5 7LA
About 10 km away
Dashwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
16 Dashwood Road, Gravesend, DA11 7LY
About 5 km away
Chadwell Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; We,Su off
Brentwood Road, Chadwell St Mary, RM16 4JP
About 9 km away
Medway Archives Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Th-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-12:00; We,Su off
32 Bryant Road, Strood, ME2 3EP
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 Shorne
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