Settling in · Wellesbourne
Landing in Wellesbourne? Start here.
The first fortnight in Wellesbourne, 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 Wellesbourne 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
Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
Murcott Road East, Leamington Spa, CV31 2JJ
About 9 km away
St Francis of Assisi
Christian, Roman catholic
Southam Street, Stratford-on-Avon, CV35 0LL
About 7 km away
Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Old Town, CV37 6BG
About 8 km away
First Church of Christ, Scientist Stratford
Christian, Christ scientist
26 Ely Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6LW
About 8 km away
The United Reformed Church
Christian
Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6LU
About 8 km away
Collegiate Church of St Mary
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; Su 12:00-16:00
Old Square, Warwick, CV34 4RA
About 10 km away
Gurdwaras
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 43 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · 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
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
China Kitchen
Chinese. takeaway
29 Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QB
About 8 km away
Happy Nest Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo,We,Th 17:00-23:00; Su 17:00-22:30; Fr,Sa 17:00-24:00
Leamington Spa, CV31 2LT
About 9 km away
Zoo Sushi & Bubble Tea
Japanese, korean. restaurant
3-5 Cook's Alley, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QN
About 8 km away
Giggling Squid
Thai. restaurant
23 High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6AU
About 8 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant
Bell Court, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EX
About 8 km away
Sabai Sabai
Thai. restaurant
19-20 Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6JF
About 8 km away
No. 1 Taj Bar & Grill
International, indian. restaurant
1 Shakespeare Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6RN
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Stratford-upon-Avon Leisure Centre
Soccer, swimming, running, climbing. Sports centre
Bridgeway Stratford-on-Avon, CV37 6YX
About 7 km away
Cleary's Boxing Gym
Fitness centre
Acre Close, Whitnash, Leamington Spa, CV31 2ND
About 9 km away
Wellesbourne Sports Association
Soccer, cricket, cricket nets, football. Sports centre
Westfield Crescent, Stratford-on-Avon, CV35 9RP
Croft House Pool
Swimming. Sports centre
Banbury Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7NF
About 6 km away
Anytime Fitness
Fitness centre
Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0BT
About 8 km away
Whitnash Sports & Social Club
Bowls, petanque. Sports centre
CV31 2NF
About 9 km away
Warwick Boat Club
Rowing, bowls, Squash, tennis. Sports centre
33 Mill Street, Warwick, CV34 4HB
About 9 km away
PureGym
Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
Tancred Close, Leamington Spa, CV31 3RZ
About 10 km away
St Nicholas Park leisure centre
Sports centre
Weston Close, Warwick, CV34 4NN
About 10 km away
Wellesbourne Sports & Community Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa, Su 09:00-15:00
Loxley Close, Stratford-on-Avon, CV35 9RU
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Community and support groups
Whitnash Civic Centre & Library
Community centre
Acre Close, Whitnash, Leamington Spa, CV31 2ND
About 9 km away
Tiddington Community Centre
Community centre
Main Street, Stratford-on-Avon, CV37 7AS
About 5 km away
Lighthorne Village Hall
Community centre
Wellesbourne Road, Stratford-on-Avon, CV35 0BG
About 6 km away
Lighthorne Heath Village Hall
Community centre. Hours: 24/7
Valiant Close, Stratford-on-Avon, CV33 9TE
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Nashwhite
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 8:00-20:00 Sa 9:00-17:00
20 Sheep Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EF
About 8 km away
The Salon
Hairdresser
30A Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QW
About 8 km away
Solo Hair Designs
Hairdresser
126 Clopton Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6SW
About 8 km away
Hair on the Square
Hairdresser
25 Market Street, Warwick, CV34 4DH
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Stratford Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
Henley Street, Stratford-on-Avon, CV37 6PZ
About 8 km away
Wellesbourne LIbrary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
School Road, Stratford-on-Avon, CV35 9NH
Whitnash Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu 10:30-17:00; We 13:30-17:00; Fr 10:30-16:00; Sa 10:30-13:30
Acre Close, Leamington Spa, CV31 2ND
About 9 km away
Warwick Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-17:30; Fr 08:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
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 Wellesbourne
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