Settling in · Wareham
Landing in Wareham? Start here.
The first fortnight in Wareham, 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
50 places in Wareham 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
Christian, Salvation army
2 New Orchard, Poole, BH15 1LY
About 9 km away
The Catholic Church of St. Edward, King and Martyr
Christian, Catholic
Shatters Hill, Wareham, BH20 4QP
St Martin's Community Worship Centre
Christian, Anglican
Sandford Road, Wareham, BH20 7AJ
About 3 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bournemouth
About 20 km away
673 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6AA
Worship services: Thu 6:15pm · Sat 10:30am · Sat 12:30pm (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
Khybar Indian Takeaway
Indian. takeaway
259 Blandford Road, Poole, BH15 4HW
About 8 km away
Sakuna Khrua Thai
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 17:30-21:30; Fr,Sa 17:30-22:00
18 High Street, BH15 1BP
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Community and support groups
Corfe Castle Village Hall
Community centre
67 East Street, Kingston, BH20 5EE
About 7 km away
Kimmeridge Village Hall
Community centre
Smedore & Swalland Private Road, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PE
About 8 km away
Lytchett Matravers Village Hall
Community centre
Vineyard Close, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6DD
About 8 km away
Harmans Cross Village Hall
Community centre
Haycrafts Lane, Harman's Cross, BH19 3EB
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Shorties Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: We 10:00-17:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Allens Lane, Poole, BH16 5DA
About 8 km away
Toni & Guy
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00; Su off
27 Kingland Crescent, Poole, BH15 1TA
About 10 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Tank Museum Library and Archive
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Linsay Road, Bovington, BH20 6FD
About 9 km away
Wareham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-17:00; Tu 12:00-18:00; We closed; Th 10:00-17:00; Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Su closed
South Street, Wareham, BH20 4LR
Corfe Castle Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
East Street, Kingston, BH20 5EP
About 7 km away
Wool Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Colliers Lane, Wareham, BH20 6DL
About 8 km away
Hamworthy Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-13:00; Tu,Th,Su off
Blandford Road, Poole, BH15 4BG
About 8 km away
Upton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Upton Court, Upton, BH16 5JF
About 8 km away
Lytchett Matravers Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6GP
About 8 km away
Creekmoor Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:00; Tu,Th,Sa 10:00-13:00; We,Su off
34 Northmead Drive, Poole, BH17 7XZ
About 10 km away
Poole Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
Kingland Road, BH15 1QE
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 Wareham
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