Settling in · Thatcham
Landing in Thatcham? Start here.
The first fortnight in Thatcham, 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
63 places in Thatcham 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 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Christian, Latter day saints
Pinchington Lane, Newbury, RG14 7HB
About 4 km away
The Salvation Army - Newbury
Christian, Salvation army
Northcroft Lane, Newbury, RG14 1BU
About 5 km away
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Pinchington Lane, Newbury, RG14 7HU
About 5 km away
Cold Ash Centre for Peace and Reconciliation
Christian, Catholic
The Ridge, Cold Ash, RG18 9HT
About 2 km away
United Reformed Church
Christian
St Mary's Church
Christian, Anglican
Mosques and prayer rooms
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Reading
About 21 km away
Whitley Children's Centre, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, England, RG2 8LT
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Swindon
About 38 km away
Park South Community Centre, Cranmore avenue, Swindon, SN3 2ER
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Oxford
About 40 km away
Wheatley Park School Sixth Forom, Sixth Forom, Wheatley Holton, Oxfordshire, OX33 1QH
Worship services: Wed 7:15pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (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
Food and takeaways
Chilis Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu,Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 17:00-21:00
Station Approach, Newbury, RG14 5DG
About 4 km away
Indie Twist
Indian. restaurant
17 Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5AA
About 5 km away
Curry Cave
Indian. restaurant. Hours: 17:00-23:00
103 Bartholomew Street, Newbury, RG14 5DY
About 5 km away
Khon Kaen
Thai. restaurant
Bartholomew Street, Newbury, RG14 5DY
About 5 km away
Ever Green
Chinese. restaurant
42 Bartholomew Street, Newbury, RG14 5QA
About 5 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5EN
About 5 km away
KOKORO
Japanese, korean, sushi. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 11:00-19:30; Fr,Sa 11:00-20:30
1 Northbrook Street, Newbury, RG14 1DJ
About 5 km away
China Garden
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo 17:00-23:00
80 Bartholomew Street, Newbury, RG14 7AB
About 5 km away
Howan Fish & Chips & Chinese
Chinese, fish and chips. restaurant. Hours: Su 16:30-21:00; Mo 11:30-13:30,16:30-21:30, Tu 11:30-13:30,16:30-21:30, We 11:30-13:30,16:30-21:30, Th 11:30-13:30,16:30-21:30, Fr 11:30-13:30,16:30-22:00, Sa 11:30-13:30,16:30-22:00
121 Newtown Road, Newbury, RG14 7ER
About 5 km away
Nawab
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 12:00-14:30,18:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-14:30,18:00-23:30; Su 12:00-22:00; Mo off
4 - 5, The Broadway, Thatcham, RG19 3JA
Sports and clubs
Thatcham Cricket Club
Cricket
Basketball court
Basketball. Pitch
Northway Climbing Centre
Climbing. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa,Su 10:00-18:00
York Road, Newbury, RG14 7NF
About 4 km away
Abstract Bodyworks Newbury
Gymnastics. Sports centre. Hours: Mo, Tu, Th 08:00-18:30; We, Sa 08:00-13:00; Fr 08:00-16:00
11 Kings Road West, RG14 5BY
About 4 km away
Kennet Leisure Centre
Fitness centre
Community and support groups
Brimpton Village Hall
Community centre
Crookham Common Road, Brimpton, RG7 4ST
About 4 km away
Upper Bucklebury Memorial Hall
Community centre
Broad Lane, Upper Bucklebury, RG7 6QH
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Headcase Barbers
Hairdresser
32a Northbrook Street, Newbury, RG14 1DJ
About 5 km away
The Cutting Bar
Hairdresser. Hours: Sa 08:30-17:00
101 Northbrook Street, Newbury, RG14 1AA
About 5 km away
Mancave
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-20:00, Sa 08:30-16:30, Su "Appointment Only"
Essex Street, Newbury
About 6 km away
The Attentive Barber
Hairdresser
George Street, Basingstoke and Deane, RG20 5NH
About 9 km away
Legends
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
High Street, Thatcham, RG19 3JQ
The Cutting Bar
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-17:00; Th,Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 08:30-17:00; Su off
Guru Barbers
Hairdresser
Cinemas and libraries
Newbury Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
A339 Newbury, RG14 5AU
About 4 km away
Thatcham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Kingsclere Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th 13:00-17:30; Sa 10:00-13:00; We,Fr,Su,Mo off
George Street, Basingstoke and Deane, RG20 5NH
About 9 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 Thatcham
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