Settling in · Shrewsbury
Landing in Shrewsbury? Start here.
The first fortnight in Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury 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
Shrewsbury Cathedral
Christian, Roman catholic. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 07:00-19:00
11 Belmont, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TE
Saint Chad's Church
Christian, Anglican. Hours: 08:00-16:00
1 St Chads Terrace, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JL
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
14 Salters Lane Longden, Coleham, Shrewsbury, SY3 7DG
Crowmoor Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Crowmere Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 5JJ
About 2 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
The nearest Iglesia ni Cristo to Shrewsbury
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 56 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Flintshire
About 69 km away
High Street Bagillt Flintshire, North Wales CH6 6HE
Worship services: Tue 6:15pm · Sat 12:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Liverpool
About 78 km away
St Laurence's School, St. Laurence Drive Birkenhead, England CH41 3JD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sun 11:00am
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
Bombos
Asian, japanese, noodle, seafood. restaurant. Hours: We-Su 12:00-23:30
81 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, SY1 1UT
Alaturka BBQ
Barbecue, turkish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:30
36 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, SY1 1XF
Istanbul
Barbecue, mediterranean, turkish. restaurant. Hours: 16:00+
135 Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3 8JX
Third Place
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:30; Fr-Su 17:00-24:00
128 Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3 8JX
Flaming Great
Kebab, burger, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Fr 15:00-03:00, Sa,Su 15:00-04:00
8 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AD
Sports and clubs
Monkmoor Recreation Ground
Tennis, croquet, soccer, bowls. Sports centre
Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 5BW
About 2 km away
Sundorne Castle Training Ground
Soccer. Sports centre
Newport Road, Uffington, SY4 4SE
About 4 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Community and support groups
Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall
Community centre
Upper Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9JP
About 2 km away
Radbrook Community Centre
Community centre
Calverton Way, Shrewsbury, SY3 6DZ
About 2 km away
Bayston Hill Memorial Hall
Community centre
Cross Roads, Shrewsbury, SY3 0DR
About 4 km away
Astley Village Hall
Community centre
7 Astley Court, Upper Battlefield, SY4 4DG
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Hiar Forum
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu,We,Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
53 Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury, SY3 7DH
Royston Blythe
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-19:00
8 St Mary's Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1EB
Francesco Group
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu, Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; PH off
9 Bellstone, Shrewsbury, SY1 1HU
Fusion Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:30-14:30; Tu,Fr,Sa 09:00-17:30; We,Th 09:00-20:30; PH off
50 Mardol, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PP
Cinemas and libraries
Shrewsbury Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-12:00,13:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
School Gardens, Shrewsbury
The Lantern
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; PH off
Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG
About 3 km away
Bayston Hill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Glebe Road, Bayston Hill, SY3 0PU
About 4 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 Shrewsbury
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