Settling in · Usk
Landing in Usk? Start here.
The first fortnight in Usk, 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
48 places in Usk 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
St Michael's
Christian, Protestant
Usk Road, Pontypool, NP4 0JB
About 8 km away
St Cadoc
Christian
Leigh Road, Trevethin, Pontypool, NP4 8JN
About 9 km away
The Salvation Army - Pontypool
Christian, Salvation army
Park Road, Pontypool, NP4 6JH
About 10 km away
St Bridget
Christian, Church in wales
A40 Abergavenny, NP7 9BA
About 10 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 15 km away
Llanthewy Road Newport Gwent, South Wales NP20-4LA
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cardiff
About 25 km away
Pontprennau Primary School, Heol Pontprennau, Cardiff, CF23 BLL, Wales
Worship services: Tue 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm · Sat 5:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 36 km away
Manor Hall, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2TG
Worship services: Wed 6:30pm
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
Golden Gate
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-13:30,17:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-13:30,17:00-24:00; Su 17:00-23:00
Station Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1NZ
About 9 km away
Lee's Kitchen
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:00-23:00; Tu off; We-Su 17:00-23:00
4 Market Street, Pontypool, NP4 6JN
About 10 km away
Tiffins
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Su 16:00-22:00
4 Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 10 km away
The Three Elephants
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
Chepstow Road, Llandevaud, Llandevaud, NP18 2AA
About 10 km away
Parbin Tandoori
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:00; Fr 17:00-00:00; Sa 17:00-00:00; Su 17:00-23:00
4 Central Mews, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
About 10 km away
Chans Noodle Bar and Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. takeaway
3 General Rees Square, Cwmbran
About 10 km away
Sports and clubs
Croesyceiliog Cricket and Rugby Club
Cricket, rugby union. Sport club
The Highway, Croesyceiliog, NP44 2HJ
About 8 km away
Canolfan Byw'n Egnïol Pont-y-pŵl
Swimming, tennis, squash, badminton. Sports centre
Trosnant Street, Pontypool, NP4 8AT
About 9 km away
Clwb Rygbi Pont-y-pŵl
Rugby. Sport club
Trosnant Street, Pontypool, NP4 8AT
About 9 km away
Bowden Active Living Centre
Badminton, basketball, football, netball, soccer, volleyball, dance, multi. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-21:30; Fr-Su Off
Folly Road, Pontypool, NP4 8JD
About 9 km away
Torfaen Warriors
Boxing. Sport club. Hours: Mo 18:00-19:15; Tu 18:00-19:30; We 18:00-19:15; Th 17:00-19:00; Fr 18:00-19:15; Sa off; Su off
Cwmbran NP44 8HQ
About 10 km away
Panteg House Employees Club
Cricket, bowls, football. Sport club. Hours: Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00
Greenhill Road, Pontypool, NP4 5BE
About 9 km away
Ponthir Sports Club
Cricket. Sport club
Caerleon Road, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1GA
About 9 km away
SimplyGym
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:30-22:00; Sa-Su 18:30-20:00; PH 18:30-20:00
Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 10 km away
Workingmen's Club
Social club. Hours: Mo-Th 18:00-23:00; Fr 13:00-23:30; Sa 12:00-23:30; Su 12:00-23:00
Chapel Street, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, NP44 1DL
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
PILCS Social Club
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-22:00; We 09:00-22:00; Th 08:00-23:00; Fr 09:00-00:00; Sa-Su 09:00-22:00
New Road, New Inn, NP4 0TL
About 8 km away
Llanfair Kilgeddin Village Hall
Community centre
B4598 Abergavenny, NP7 9BD
About 8 km away
St Hilda's Church Hall
Community centre
Kemys Street, Pontypool, NP4 5DJ
About 9 km away
Ponthir Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-17:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Caerleon Road, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1GX
About 9 km away
Trevethin and Penygarn Community Centre
Community centre
Church Avenue, Pontypool, NP4 8JB
About 9 km away
Cwmbran Centre for Young People
Community centre. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-16:30,18:00-21:00; Th 09:00-16:00; Fr 09:00-16:30; Sa off; Su off
Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 10 km away
Platfform Torfaen Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00; Tu-Th 09:30-16:00; Fr 09:30-15:30; Sa 10:00-14:00; Su off
Pontypool Indoor Market, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
About 10 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Austin & Co
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu-We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-16:00; Su off
Commercial Street, Pontypool, NP4 6JJ
About 10 km away
Bladez Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00; Tu-Fr 09:00-16:45; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
Pontypool Indoor Market, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
About 10 km away
Beyond Perfection Salon
Hairdresser
9 Crane Street, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
About 10 km away
The Men's Room
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo off; Tu-Fr 08:30-17:30; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su off
7 Crown Rise, Llanfrechfa, NP44 8UG
About 9 km away
Ponthir Hair Co
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-19:00; Su off
Caerleon Road, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1GW
About 9 km away
Dekan Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su off
7 Crane Street, Pontypool, NP4 6LY
About 10 km away
The Salon Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 10:00-16:00; Tu Off; We-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-15:00; Su Off
34 The Mall, Cwmbran, NP44 1PX
About 10 km away
Sidney's Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo Off; Tu Off; We-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
34 The Mall, Cwmbran, NP44 1PX
About 10 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Usk Community Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; Tu off; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-17:00; Fr off; Sa 09:00-12:45; Su off
35 Maryport Street, Usk, NP15 1AE
Pontypool Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo off; Tu 14:00-19:00; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-13:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00; Su off
Hanbury Road, Pontypool, NP4 6JL
About 9 km away
Vue
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 00:00-03:00,10:00-00:00
Leisure @ Cwmbran, Cwmbran, NP44 1QS
About 10 km away
Cwmbran Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:30; We off; Th 08:45-19:00; Fr 08:45-19:00; Sa 08:45-13:00; Su off
Gwent Square, Cwmbran, NP44 1PL
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 Usk
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