Settling in · Wiltshire
Landing in Wiltshire? Start here.
The first fortnight in Wiltshire, 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
75 places in Wiltshire 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. Mary the Virgin
Christian, Anglican
Church Walk, Bishops Cannings, SN10 2JZ
About 3 km away
St John the Baptist
Christian, Anglican
St John's Churchyard, Devizes, SN10 1BX
About 3 km away
The Salvation Army - Chippenham
Christian, Salvation army
Foghamshire Chippenham, SN15 1HB
About 17 km away
St Laurence Hilmarton
Christian, Anglican
Church Road, Hilmarton, SN11 8SE
About 14 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Swindon
About 26 km away
Park South Community Centre, Cranmore avenue, Swindon, SN3 2ER
Worship services: Tue 8:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:00pm · Sun 12:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Salisbury
About 33 km away
URC hall, 30 Fisherton St. Salisbury, SP2 7RG England
Worship services: Tue 6:00pm · Sat 4:00pm
Iglesia ni Cristo, Gillingham, Dorset
About 36 km away
Salisbury st. Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6HA
Worship services: Thu 6:15pm · Sat 10:30am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Bristol
About 41 km away
Manor Hall, Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol, BS36 2TG
Worship services: Wed 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
Food and takeaways
The Burj at Harp and Crown
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:30,17:00-23:00
Velley Hill, Gastard, SN13 9PU
About 17 km away
Reg's Kebab and Pizza
Kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00
5 Station Hill, Chippenham, SN15 1EQ
About 17 km away
Chippenham Kebab & Pizza House
Kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 15:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 15:30-11:30
10 New Road, SN15 1HH
About 17 km away
Lotus House
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Sa 12:00-13:30, 17:00-23:00; Su 17:00-22:30; Tu-Th 17:00-22:30; Fr 12:00-13:30, 17:00-23:00
11 The Parade, SN8 1NE
About 17 km away
Zaika Indian Restaurant - Marlborough
Indian. restaurant
7 London Road, SN8 1PH
About 17 km away
Moonlight Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
5 High Street, Corsham, SN13 0ES
About 19 km away
Deedar
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-23:00
Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LG
About 3 km away
Bengal Bite
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 17:30-23:00,12:00-14:00
1 Sheep Street, Devizes, SN10 1DJ
About 3 km away
One Spice
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:00,17:30-23:00
Maryport Street, Devizes, SN10 1AH
About 3 km away
Chan Cottage
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:45-22:00
48 New Park Street, Devizes, SN10 1DS
About 3 km away
The Curry Leaf
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
57-58 New Park Street, Devizes, SN10 1DP
About 3 km away
Sports and clubs
Marlborough Town Football Club
Football. Sport club
Elcot Lane, Marlborough, SN8 2BG
About 18 km away
Calne Community Campus
Swimming, athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:30-22:00; Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00; PH off
White Horse Way, Calne, SN11 0SP
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
The Arc
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:30-18:00; We 09:30-22:00
Westmead Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3HZ
About 16 km away
Community and support groups
The Clubhouse at Avebury
Community centre
Beckhampton Road, Beckhampton, SN8 1RD
About 11 km away
Steeple Ashton Village Hall
Community centre
Church Street, Steeple Ashton, BA14 6EW
About 14 km away
Nursteed Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-12:00
Nursteed Road, Devizes, SN10 3AJ
About 2 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30
2a Snuff Street, Devizes, SN10 1FG
About 3 km away
Star Turkish Barbers
Hairdresser
145 High Street, Swindon, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB
About 22 km away
Barbers and salons
Barber Studios
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 08:00-18:00; Th 08:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-19:00; Su 10:00-16:00
2 Post House, Park Lane, Chippenham, SN15 1LL
About 17 km away
OPUS Hair Design
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo - Tu 09:00-17:30; We - Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-17:30
27 Market Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8AL
About 18 km away
OPUS Barber Shop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo - Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 08:30-17:30; Su 10:00-14:00
Kiosk 3, Market Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8AL
About 18 km away
Sibbo’s Barbershop
Hairdresser
17 Pickwick Road, Corsham, SN13 9BQ
About 19 km away
Sally
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-15:00
About 17 km away
Razor King
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr,Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
14 Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LG
About 3 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Calne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, Fr 08:00-19:00; Tu, Th 08:00-17:00; We 08:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Beach Terrace, Calne, SN11 0JU
About 11 km away
Devizes Community Hub & Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th 09:00-19:00; Tu,We,Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Sheep Street, Devizes, SN10 1DL
About 3 km away
Corsham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Beechfield Road, Corsham, SN13 9DN
About 19 km away
Pewsey Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Aston Close, Pewsey, SN9 5EQ
About 13 km away
Bradford on Avon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:00; We,Fr 09:30-17:00; Th 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
About 21 km away
Netheravon Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Old School Close, Netheravon, SP4 9QJ
About 17 km away
Marlborough Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
90 High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1LN
About 17 km away
Lyneham Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Calne Road, Lyneham, SN15 4PR
About 18 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 Wiltshire
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