Settling in · Woolwich
Landing in Woolwich? Start here.
The first fortnight in Woolwich, 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
92 places in Woolwich 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 Anne's Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
1 Berwick Road, London, E16 3DR
About 3 km away
Custom House Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
260 Prince Regent Lane, London, E16 3JJ
About 4 km away
St Luke's Church
Christian, Anglican
Ruscoe Road, London, E16 1JB
About 4 km away
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Lazarus and St. Andrew the Apostle
Christian, Greek orthodox
Rutland Road, London, E7 8PH
About 6 km away
Manor Park Christian Centre
Christian, Evangelical
454 High Street North, London, E12 6RH
About 6 km away
St Stephens Catholic Church
Christian, Roman catholic
146 Little Ilford Lane, London, E12 5PJ
About 7 km away
The Salvation Army - Stratford & East Ham
Christian
1 Paul Street, London, E15 4QB
About 7 km away
Heritage Hub
Christian, Evangelical
96 Romford Road, Stratford, London, E15 4EQ
About 7 km away
The Healing Church of God in Christ
Christian, Evangelical
62 Field Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 9DL
About 7 km away
St. Paul's Church, Stratford
Christian, Anglican
Maryland Road, London, E15 1JL
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Islamic Centre Upton Park
Muslim, Sunni
72-74 Selwyn Road, London, E13 0PY
About 6 km away
Hindu temples
London Sri Murugan Temple
Hindu
78 Church Road, London, E12 6AF
About 6 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
In the area
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Romford
About 6 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 6 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)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Camberwell, London
About 11 km away
Crawford Primary School, #5 Crawford road, Battersea, London, SE5 9NF
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 5:45pm · Sat 7:30pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 13 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, Central London
About 14 km away
YMCA - Indian Student Hostel 41, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T-6AQ, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:30pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Battersea, London
About 16 km away
48 Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, England, SW11-4NT
Worship services: Thu 7:00am · Thu 8:00pm · Sat 7:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 10:30am (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Wimbledon
About 18 km away
Earlsfield Primary School, Tranmere Rd, London, SW18 3QQ
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Notting Hill
About 19 km away
Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London, England, W10 6EX
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sun 10:00am · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Sutton
About 22 km away
GRANFERS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, London, SM1-3AA, England
Worship services: Wed 7:30pm · Sat 5:00pm · Sat 7:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, North London
About 23 km away
Barnet Multicultural Community Centre, Algernon, Hendon, London, NW4 3TA, England
Worship services: Tue 7:30pm · Sat 6:00pm · Sat 8:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow North, London
About 34 km away
St. Peter Hall, St. Peter's Way High Street, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AB, England
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Fri 6:15pm · Fri 8:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Heathrow, London
About 34 km away
79 Staines Road West, Sunbury on Thames, Heathrow, London, TW16 7AH
Worship services: Tue 7:45pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:15pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Southend
About 41 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, Hertfordshire
About 43 km away
Datchworth Village Hall, 52 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Knebworth, SG3 6TL
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 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
Shops from home
Kidbrooke Parade Post Office
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 09:00-13:00
122 Rochester Way, Greater London, SE3 8AR
About 3 km away
Luk Bros Convenience Store
Convenience. stocks Asian goods
Prince Edward Road, Greater London, E9 5LX
About 9 km away
Himalaya Halal Meat
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-19:00
3 Carlton Terrace, Forest Gate, London, E7 8LH
About 6 km away
Polski Sklep Gaska
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
8 Broadway, London, E15 4QS
About 7 km away
Stadium Store
Sports, gift, souvenir. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Stadium Crescent West, London, E20 2ST
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Pier Masala
Indian, bangladeshi. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:30
9 Pier Road, London, E16 2JJ
Café Spice Namasté
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu 17:00-22:00; We-Sa 13:00-22:00
1-2 Lower Dock Walk, London, E16 2GT
About 2 km away
Nakhon Thai Waterfront
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-14:30,18:00-23:00; Sa,Su 13:00-23:00
1 Dock Road, London, E16 1AH
About 4 km away
Squires
African. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00
6 Beckton Road, London, E16 1EW
About 5 km away
Chilli Indian Street Kitchen
Indian. restaurant
219 Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5PQ
About 5 km away
Priya Restaurant
Sri lankan, indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00
209 High Street North, London, E6 1JG
About 6 km away
Roti Joupa
Caribbean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su off
85 Vicarage Lane, London, E15 4HG
About 7 km away
A1 Kebabish Grill
Pakistani, kebab. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-01:00
684 Romford Road, London, E12 5AJ
About 7 km away
German Doner Kebab
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th, Su 11:00-01:00; Fr, Sa 11:00-02:00
50 Broadway, London, E15 1NG
About 7 km away
Sichuan Grand
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-22:30; Su 11:30-22:00
Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BG
About 7 km away
Thai Pie
Thai. restaurant
200 The Grove, Greater London, E15 1NS
About 7 km away
Mowgli Street Food
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00,Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30,Su 11:00-21:30
145 Chestnut Plaza, London, E20 1EN
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Sportsdock at UEL
Basketball, wheelchair basketball, multi, badminton, volleyball, gymnastics, fitness, table tennis, netball, soccer. Fitness centre. Hours: Weekdays 6am to 10.15pm, Weekends 9am to 8pm
4-6 University Way, London, E16 2RD
About 2 km away
Diesel Gym
Martial arts, muay thai, mma, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing. Hours: Mo,We 07:00-21:15; Tu 10:00-21:00; Th 07:00-21:00; Fr 09:00-20:45; Sa 09:00-12:30; Su 10:00-14:30
1012 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QT
About 2 km away
Power League - 5 A Side Football
Soccer. Sports centre
Jenkins Lane, Greater London, IG11 0AD
About 4 km away
John Orwell Sports Centre
Badminton, soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, netball. Sports centre
Tench Street, Greater London, E1W 2QD
About 9 km away
West Ham United Foundation Community Hub
Soccer. Sports centre
Newham Way, Greater London, E6 5NX
About 3 km away
Wanstead Leisure Centre
Badminton, basketball, fitness, gymnastics, netball, squash, volleyball. Sports centre
Redbridge Lane West, Greater London, E11 2JZ
About 10 km away
Gym Spot
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo 08:00-21:00, Tu 12:15-21:00, We 07:30-21:00, Th 12:15-21:00, Fr 07:30-21:00, Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 10:00-15:00
205a Plashet Road, London, E13 0QZ
About 6 km away
Anytime Fitness
Fitness. Fitness centre. Hours: 24/7
188 High Street, London, E15 2FF
About 7 km away
City Bouldering Stratford
Climbing. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:30; Sa-Su 09:00-21:00
234 High Street, London, E15 2JA
About 7 km away
The Gym Factory
Fitness, weightlifting. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00
7-9 Sebert Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0NG
About 7 km away
Carpenters & Dockland Centre
Sports centre
98 Gibbins Road, Stratford, London, E15 2HU
About 7 km away
Lee Valley VeloPark
Track cycling, pickleball. Stadium
Abercrombie Road, London, E20 3AB
About 9 km away
Driving schools
1st Time School of Motoring
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-17:30; Sa 10:00-14:00
Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5LQ
About 6 km away
ACBT London Motorcycle Training school
Driving school. Hours: 24/7
Dursley Road, Greater London, SE3 8PB
About 3 km away
Abbies Driving School
Driving school
2A Balaam Street, Greater London, E13 8AQ
About 5 km away
Data Cars Driver Training Centre
Driving school
92 Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5HE
About 6 km away
Community and support groups
Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre
Community centre
Albert Road, London, E16 2JB
Royal Wharf Community Dock
Community centre
2 John Harrison Square, London, E16 2ZA
About 3 km away
The Well Community Centre
Community centre
49 Vicarage Lane, East Ham, London, E6 6DQ
About 4 km away
St Luke's Community Centre
Community centre
87-89 Tarling Road, London, E16 1HN
About 4 km away
Umm Al-Qura Centre
Community centre
530-542 High Street North, London, E12 6QN
About 7 km away
Leytonstone Muslim Community Centre
Community centre
Carlton Road, Greater London, E11 3AQ
About 9 km away
Wyke Estate Community Hall
Community centre
15 Berger Road, Greater London, E9 6HA
About 10 km away
Portsoken Community Centre
Community centre
20 Little Somerset Street, London, E1 8AH
About 10 km away
Shrewsbury House Community Centre
Community centre
Bushmoor Crescent, Greater London, SE18 3EG
About 2 km away
Beckton Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00
14 East Ham Manor Way, Beckton, London, E6 5NG
About 2 km away
Shipman Youth Zone
Community centre
340 Prince Regent Lane, Greater London, E16 3JH
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Diamond Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th, Sa 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Su 10:00-16:00
184 Shooters Hill Road, Greater London, SE3 8RP
About 3 km away
Gents Barber Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
47 Vanbrugh Park, Greater London, SE3 7JQ
About 3 km away
Elite Hair Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 10:00-18:00; Th 11:30-20:00; Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
288 Lee High Road, Greater London, SE13 5PJ
About 5 km away
Maryland Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
55C Leytonstone Road, Maryland, London, E15 1JA
About 7 km away
Blue Tit
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00;Sa 10:00-19:00;Su 10:00-18:00
70 Celebration Avenue, London, E20 1DB
About 8 km away
HKR Aesthetics
Hairdresser
635 High Road Leytonstone, Greater London, E11 4RD
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Blackheath Standard Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:00, Tu,We,Fr 09:00-17:30, Th 09:00-19:00, Sa 09:00-17:00
17 Old Dover Road, Greater London, SE3 7BT
About 3 km away
Custom House Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 10:00-18:00; Th 13:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-18:00
Prince Regent Lane, London, E16 3JJ
About 4 km away
Cineworld
Cinema
1 Peninsula Square, Greater London, SE10 0DX
About 4 km away
Mottingham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00; We 09:30-13:00, 14:00-19:00, Fr 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:30; Sa 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:00, Tu,Th,Su closed
31 Mottingham Road, Greater London, SE9 4QZ
About 6 km away
Deptford Lounge Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
9 Giffin Street, Greater London, SE8 4RJ
About 6 km away
Chislehurst library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Fr 09:30-17:30; Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-17:00, We,Su closed
Red Hill, Greater London, BR7 6DA
About 8 km away
Bexley Village Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Albert Road, Greater London, DA5 1LU
About 8 km away
Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 10:00-17:00; We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-20:00; Sa[1,3] 09:00-17:00
Bancroft Road, Greater London, E1 4DQ
About 8 km away
Peckham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 09:00-20:00; We 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 12:00-16:00
122 Peckham Hill Street, Greater London, SE15 5JR
About 9 km away
Thamesmere Leisure Centre and Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Thamesmere Drive, Greater London, SE28 8RE
About 4 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 Woolwich
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