Settling in · Wickford
Landing in Wickford? Start here.
The first fortnight in Wickford, 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
73 places in Wickford 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
146-148 High Street, Orton, Rayleigh, SS6 7BU
About 6 km away
St Martin of Tours
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-11:00; Fr 09:00-13:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
St Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1DX
About 6 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
146-148 London Road, Castle Point, SS7 2PF
About 9 km away
St John the Divine, Outwood Common
Christian, Anglican
Outwood Common Road, Billericay, CM11 2LE
About 6 km away
New Life Church Crouch Valley
Christian, Evangelical
40 Clements Green Lane, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5JP
About 7 km away
Billericay Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
140 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NS
About 8 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southend
About 12 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, Orpington
About 35 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 35 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 36 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 36 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)
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. restaurant
10 Herolds Way, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5TQ
About 8 km away
Pink Garlic
Indian. takeaway
4 Chipping Row, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5XU
About 8 km away
Chillies Indian Fusion
Indian. restaurant
South Woodham Ferrers
About 8 km away
Hot Wok
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:00
South Woodham Ferrers
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
David Lloyd Clubs
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 07:00-21:00
Waterfront Walk, Basildon, SS14 3DG
About 5 km away
Basildon Sporting Village
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-22:00; Sa-Su 06:00-22:00
Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, SS14 3GR
About 6 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
South Woodham Ferrers Village Hall
Community centre
25 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5PL
About 7 km away
Woodham Ferrers Village Hall
Community centre
Main Road, Chelmsford, CM3 8RW
About 8 km away
Hadleigh Old Fire Station, Arts and Community Centre
Community centre
High Street, Castle Point, SS7 2PA
About 9 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Cinemas and libraries
Fryerns Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 13:30-16:30; Th 09:00-13:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00; Mo,We,Su,PH off
Whitmore Way, Basildon, SS14 2NN
About 5 km away
Vange Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su,PH off
Southview Road, Basildon, SS16 4ET
About 6 km away
Basildon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su,PH off
St Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1EE
About 7 km away
South Benfleet Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Constitution Hill, Castle Point, SS7 1EB
About 7 km away
South Woodham Ferrers Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers
About 8 km away
Stock Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Swan Lane, Chelmsford, CM4 9BA
About 8 km away
Laindon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-13:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; We,Su off
5 - 7, New Century Road, Basildon, SS15 6AG
About 8 km away
Hadleigh Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
High Street, Castle Point, SS7 2PD
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 Wickford
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