Settling in · Writtle
Landing in Writtle? Start here.
The first fortnight in Writtle, 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
66 places in Writtle 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
The Church of the Ascension with All Saints
Christian, Anglican
Maltese Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PB
About 3 km away
Chelmsford Central Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, CM1 1LN
About 3 km away
Grove Road Evangelical Church
Christian, Evangelical
Grove Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0EY
About 3 km away
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
70 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0DL
About 3 km away
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Christian, Latter day saints
Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 7PZ
About 4 km away
St Michael and All Angels' Church
Christian, Anglican
Margaretting Road, Chelmsford, CM2 8RZ
About 4 km away
All Saints Church, Stock Harvard
Christian, Anglican
Stock Road, Chelmsford, CM4 9DQ
About 8 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Chelmsford Mosque
Muslim, Sunni
13a Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HU
About 3 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
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, 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)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Royal Greenwich, London
About 38 km away
Woolwich Common Community Centre, 17 Leslie Smith Square, London SE18 4DW
Worship services: Tue 7:15pm · Fri 7:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Orpington
About 41 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, Colchester
About 42 km away
Boxted Village Hall, Cage Lane, Boxted Cross, Colchester, C04 5RE
Worship services: Thu 7:00pm · Sat 9:30am · Sat 11:30am (children)
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
First Choice Asian Convenience Store
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
8-10 Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2QD
About 3 km away
Oriental Emporium
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su off
2 Tindal Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1ER
About 3 km away
King's Convenience Store
Newsagent
78,78a-78c Kings Road, Chelmsford, CM1 4HR
About 3 km away
Food and takeaways
Lanthong
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:00,18:00-22:00; Su off
6a Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0DG
About 3 km away
Bilash
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,17:00-24:00
7 Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0BX
About 3 km away
Little Boreham
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 12:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00
3 Butterfield Road, Chelmsford, CM3 3BT
About 8 km away
Sports and clubs
Springfield Cricket Club
Cricket. Sports centre
Timsons Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 6AF
About 5 km away
Chelmsford Rugby Club
Rugby. Sports centre
Timsons Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 6AG
About 5 km away
Fitness Suite & Changing Rooms
Basketball, football, tennis, badminton, netball, multi. Sports centre
Wilfred Waterman Drive, Chelmsford, CM1 6DG
About 7 km away
Riverside Leisure Centre
Multi. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 06:00-19:00; PH "See timetables"
Victoria Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1FG
About 3 km away
Falcon Bowling Club
Bowls. Sports centre
Channels Drive, Chelmsford, CM3 3FB
About 6 km away
Driving schools
ProBike Motorcycle Training
Driving school
3 Russell Way, Chelmsford, CM1 3AA
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
British Legion
Community centre
Chelwater Chelmsford, CM2 7RA
About 4 km away
Great Baddow Parish Hall
Community centre
19 Maldon Road, Chelmsford, CM2 7DW
About 5 km away
The Church Hall of St John the Evangelist Moulsham Street
Community centre
Vicarage Road, Chelmsford, CM2 9PW
About 3 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
His & Hers Barbers & Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:15-17:45; Sa 09:00-17:00; Mo,Su off
17 Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford, CM1 2DW
About 3 km away
Moulsham Barber's Lounge
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
161a Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0LD
About 3 km away
David John Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu,Fr 09:00-17:00; We-Th 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:30-17:00
163-164 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0LD
About 3 km away
Empire Salons
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su off
55-57 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0ND
About 3 km away
Essex Boys Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-19:00; Su 10:00-16:00
20 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0SP
About 3 km away
Salon Central
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:30-18:30; Su 10:00-18:00
1a Baddow Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0BX
About 3 km away
Silhouette Du Barry
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu,Fr 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-21:00; Sa 08:30-17:00
8 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HR
About 3 km away
Supercuts
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
1a Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HR
About 3 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Chelmsford Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We, Fr 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:30-13:30; PH off
Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
About 3 km away
North Melbourne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, We, Th, Su off; Tu 09:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Dickens Place, Chelmsford, CM1 4UU
About 3 km away
Everyman
Cinema. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00+
131 Bond Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1GD
About 3 km away
ARU Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 00:00-24:00; Sa-Su 10:00-24:00
Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ
About 3 km away
Galleywood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Th,Su off; Tu 14:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00
Watchouse Road, Chelmsford, CM2 8PU
About 4 km away
Broomfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 14:00-17:30; We 09:00-13:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Tu, Th-Fr, Su, PH off
180 Main Road, Chelmsford, CM1 7AH
About 5 km away
Springfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; PH,We,Su,Mo off
St Augustine's Way, Chelmsford, CM1 6GX
About 5 km away
Warner Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 24/7
Court Road, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
About 6 km away
Great Baddow Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-19:00; We 09:00-17:30; Th 14:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00
High Street, Chelmsford, CM2 7HW
About 5 km away
The Bishop Wilson Memorial Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
New Bowers Way, Chelmsford, CM1 6YJ
About 5 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 Writtle
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