Settling in · South Ockendon
Landing in South Ockendon? Start here.
The first fortnight in South Ockendon, 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
84 places in South Ockendon 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
The Redeemed Christian Church of God
Christian
Lansdown Place, Gravesham, DA11 8RU
About 10 km away
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BB
About 10 km away
Catholic Church of Our Lady of La Salette, Rainham
Christian, Catholic
Rainham Road, Greater London, RM13 8SR
About 7 km away
Saint Georges Church
Christian, Anglican
Kenilworth Gardens, Greater London, RM12 4SG
About 7 km away
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Center of Joy Parish
Christian, Evangelical
Spital Street, Dartford, DA1 2ED
About 9 km away
Gurdwaras
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 15 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, Royal Greenwich, London
About 16 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 19 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 19 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, Southend
About 26 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, Camberwell, London
About 26 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 29 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 31 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 33 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, Notting Hill
About 34 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 36 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)
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 37 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (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
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
The Lake, Grays, RM20 2ZP
About 3 km away
Tuk Tuk
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 16:00-23:00; Su 16:00-22:00
41 Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DS
About 5 km away
Bombay
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th,Su 17:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:00; Mo off
55 Lodge Lane, Grays, RM17 5RZ
About 5 km away
Siam Radhuny
Thai, indian. restaurant
Lowfield Street, Dartford, DA1 1BJ
About 9 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 10 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 10 km away
Shapla
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
166 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 10 km away
The Rickshaw
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
165 Parrock Street, Gravesend, DA12 1ER
About 10 km away
Chattorey
Indian. restaurant
65 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, DA11 0QB
About 10 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 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Essex Kick-boxing Centre
Martial arts. Sports centre
Jubilee Road, South Ockendon, RM20 3BT
About 4 km away
PureGym
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
5-10 New Road, Gravesend, DA11 0AA
About 10 km away
Cranston Park Lawn Tennis Club
Tennis. Sports centre
Cranston Park Avenue, Greater London, RM14 3XA
About 5 km away
Iron House Gym
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-18:00
F1 West Mill, Gravesend, DA11 0DL
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
NJ Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Chadwell Village Hall
Community centre
Waterson Road, Chadwell St Mary, RM16 4NX
About 7 km away
Grays United Reformed Church Hall
Community centre
Bradleigh Avenue, Grays, RM17 5XD
About 4 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Hair Design Co
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:00; We 09:30-20:00; Th-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:30
2 Elm Park Avenue, Greater London, RM12 4RS
About 7 km away
Paco & Co
Hairdresser
97 Barnehurst Road, Greater London, DA7 6HD
About 10 km away
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 10 km away
Amazing Hair and Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
39 Hythe Street, Dartford, DA1 1GL
About 8 km away
Cinemas and libraries
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 10 km away
Upminster Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Corbets Tey Road, Greater London, RM14 2AX
About 6 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 7 km away
Gidea Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
168 Balgores Lane, Greater London, RM2 6BS
About 9 km away
Purfleet-on-Thames Library &Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-13:00; Th 10:00-12:00,14:00-16:00
River Court, Purfleet-on-Thames, RM19 1ZY
About 5 km away
South Hornchurch Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Rainham Road, Greater London, RM13 7RD
About 7 km away
Hornchurch Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wedlake Close, Greater London, RM11 1TB
About 7 km away
Elm Park Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
St Nicholas Avenue, Greater London, RM12 4PT
About 7 km away
Wantz Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Rainham Road North, Greater London, RM10 7DX
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 South Ockendon
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