Settling in · Wouldham
Landing in Wouldham? Start here.
The first fortnight in Wouldham, 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
94 places in Wouldham 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
Cornerstone City Church
Christian, Evangelical
Jasper Avenue, Rochester, ME1 2LD
About 4 km away
St John’s Church
Christian, Church of england
18 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4JT
About 6 km away
Salvation Army Strood
Christian, Salvation army
Gun Lane, Strood, Rochester, ME2 4UH
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army, Chatham
Christian, Salvation army
Church Street, Chatham, ME4 4BT
About 6 km away
Endtime Evangelical Church
Christian
33-37 Second Avenue, Chatham, ME4 5AY
About 6 km away
Gillingham Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
6 Green Street, Gillingham, ME7 5TJ
About 7 km away
St Mark's Church
Christian, Anglican
173 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5UA
About 7 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
50 Green Street, Gillingham, ME7 1XA
About 7 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, ME14 1ED
About 9 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Hindu temples
Gurdwaras
Synagogues
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 21 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, Southend
About 26 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, Royal Greenwich, London
About 31 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 37 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 37 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 41 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, Canterbury
About 44 km away
Canterbury Umbrella Centre, 22 St. Peter's Place, Canterbury, Canterbury, CT1 2DB
Worship services: Thu 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
Shops from home
KJ Convenience Store & Off License
Alcohol
44 Jeffery Street, Gillingham, ME7 1DD
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Turkuaz Rochester
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00,Fr-Sa 12:00-23:00
Chariot Way, Rochester, ME2 2SS
About 3 km away
A Taste of India
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
25 Shirley Avenue, Chatham, ME5 9UR
About 4 km away
George's Fish Bar and Kebabs
Fish and chips, kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00
31 Yarrow Road, Chatham, ME5 0SD
About 4 km away
Chan's
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 17:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:00
Walderslade Road, Chatham, ME5 9UD
About 5 km away
Taj Cuisine
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00
Walderslade Road, Chatham, ME5 9UD
About 5 km away
Limehouse Thai Restaurant
Thai. restaurant
327 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1DA
About 5 km away
Beybaba
Turkish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-21:00; Sa-Su 12:00-22:00
4 North Street, Strood, ME2 4SH
About 6 km away
Red Sun Chinese Takeaway
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: We,Th,Su,Mo 17:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 17:00-23:30
1 Mills Terrace, Chatham, ME4 5NZ
About 6 km away
Rose Garden
Chinese. restaurant
88-90 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5UF
About 7 km away
Bombay to Gillingham
Indian. takeaway
52 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5UJ
About 7 km away
Dallas Chicken & Pizza
Chicken, pizza, wrap, burger, wings, nuggets, peri peri, dessert, soft drinks, chips, onion rings, beans, kebab, fries. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
46 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5TX
About 7 km away
Tai Won Mein Noodle House
Chinese, asian. restaurant
59-61 High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1BJ
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
The Prince of Wales
Football, darts. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-01:00; Su 10:00-22:30
1-3 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HU
About 6 km away
Medway Park Sports Centre
Basketball, swimming, athletics, running, gymnastics, badminton, archery, cricket, cycling, football, netball, rugby, scuba diving, squash, table tennis, tennis, volleyball. Sports centre. Hours: Mo,Tu,We,Th,Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa,Su 08:00-16:00
Mill Road, Gillingham, ME7 1HF
About 7 km away
Waterfront Leisure Centre
Swimming, badminton, squash, snooker, pool, yoga, pilates, aerobics, spin, gym. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-22:00, Sa-Su 07:00-20:00
About 9 km away
Maidstone United FC - Gallagher Stadium
Soccer. Stadium
ME14 1LQ
About 9 km away
Larkfield Leisure Centre
Swimming, tennis, basketball, gymnastics, trampoline, fitness. Sports centre
251 New Hythe Lane, Tonbridge and Malling, ME20 6PU
About 5 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Medway Tackle Supplies
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
374 Canterbury Street
About 7 km away
Rod & Line Angling Centre
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
About 6 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
Beechen Hall
Community centre
Wildfell Close, Chatham, ME5 9RU
About 6 km away
Main Hall
Community centre
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX
About 8 km away
Sunlight Centre
Community centre
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX
About 8 km away
Club AUsome Community Hub
Community centre. Hours: Sa 10:00-18:00; Su off; Mo off; Tu 10:00-18:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-18:00
Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5TX
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Rochester Hair
Hairdresser
163a High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EY
About 5 km away
Hanns Professional
Hairdresser
17 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4HU
About 6 km away
Magic Scissors Barbers
Hairdresser
High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1BB
About 7 km away
Splahdem Studios
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30
96 High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1AX
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
The Thomas Aveling School and Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Arethusa Road, Rochester, ME1 2UW
About 4 km away
Strood Library & Community Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
133 High Street, Strood, ME2 4TJ
About 6 km away
Luton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Fr 14:00-17:00; We 09:00-13:00; Th 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:45-16:00
2 Nelson Terrace, Chatham, ME5 7LA
About 7 km away
Gillingham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
3 High Street, Gillingham, ME7 5AH
About 7 km away
Kent History and Library Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
James Whatman Way, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ
About 9 km away
Cuxton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bush Road, Borstal, ME2 1DU
About 3 km away
Medway Archives Centre
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Th-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-12:00; We,Su off
32 Bryant Road, Strood, ME2 3EP
About 6 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 Wouldham
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