International communities around London

London is one of the most multicultural cities, a true melting pot of cultures. 🌏

So, while moving away from home can be quite exciting and daunting, there are many ways you can stay connected to your roots. 

London's many neighbourhoods are multicultural hubs where you can find communities to join and make friends. Have a look at some of the neighborhoods you can check out.



🇨🇳 Chinatown 

One of the most famous multicultural neighbourhoods in London, Chinatown has been home to Chinese immigrants since the 18th century. The entrance to this part of London is marked by ornate Chinese gates and is just off Leicester Square.

Now packed with Chinese supermarkets, bakeries, and restaurants, Chinatown is a thriving community center. If you are away from home, you will be able to celebrate Chinese New Year and other festivals here throughout the year.



🌎 Camden

Known for its alternative and artistic vibes, Camden is also home to Latino culture with the most Central and South American restaurants in London, as well as Latin clubs and cultural centers.

It's common to hear salsa music as you walk through the neighbourhood and tourists from Spain and the Americas can find a number of Spanish translation services.



🇯🇲 Brixton

A hub for the African-Caribbean community, Brixton can also sometimes be referred to as Little Jamaica due to the large number of Jamaican and Caribbean natives that moved to the area.

Jamaican restaurants, record shops, clothing stores, and residents colour the streets of the area and share their culture to any visitors that come by. The neighborhood also hosts an annual celebration for Jamaican Independence Day if you are interested in joining the festivities. 🥳



🇵🇰 Waltham Forest

Punjabi, Urdu, and English can be heard in the streets of Waltham Forest. This is due to the large Pakistani community that can be found here.

The neighborhood hosts the annual Waltham Forest Mela, a celebration of Pakistani and Indian fashion, music, and art. You can also find the Pak Cultural Society here, which supports Pakistani cultural awareness and events.



🇮🇳 Tooting

Also known as "Little India", Tooting is home to London's Indian community, which has contributed a lot to London's culture and culinary tastes

The large collection of Indian restaurants, residents, and indoor markets that are likely sell spices, saris, antique furniture, and old record, make it easier for you to find all the things you need while living in London.



🇵🇱 Ealing

While Ealing has a diverse multicultural population, it is known for having one of the largest Polish populations in London.

You will find all sorts of Polish delis and restaurants in the area, as well as the Katyn Memorial, erected in honour of the 14,500 Polish Prisoners of War who disappeared from camps in 1940.



🇰🇷 New Malden

New Malden, or "Little Korea", is said to have one of the most populated areas of Koreans outside South Korea. The area has many different Korean restaurants, cafés, barbers and hair salons, supermarkets, and Korean churches and nursery schools. You can definitely find a Korean-style karaoke bar within the area, so time to start planning some nights out.

The neighbourhood also hosts a Korean Food Festival every year, as well as other Korean festivals throughout the year. You can also find the company Korea Foods in this year, which is sure to keep you stocked with all the essentials while away from home.



🇵🇹 South Lambeth

South Lambeth is also known as "Little Portugal". The central South Lambeth Road and its connecting streets in the area between Vauxhall, Stockwell, and Brixton, are home to many Portuguese cafes, bars, and food shops.

Many Portuguese immigrants settled in the area during the 1960s and 1970s and started developing the area later by opening restaurants and cafés. Nowadays, the area counts with over 25,000 Portuguese speaking residents and fado nights.

The many restaurants and cafés that stock the absolute essentials - such as pastéis de nata, Super Bock, café Delta - are sure to bring you a piece of Portugal here to London.



🇧🇩 Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is the host for the Bangladeshi community and community center.

As one of London's largest ethnic groups, a Bengali presence has existed in the area since the 1920s and it is home to over 40 mosques, including the well-known Brick Lane Mosque. You can also find in this area many of London's most popular Bangladeshi restaurants.



🇯🇵 West Acton

West Acton is home to a large Japanese community and has several different businesses and educational institutions.

The area counts with sushi restaurants, Japanese grocery stores, bookstores that sell Japanese novels and manga, and Japanese primary schools to teach language and culture to children of Japanese immigrants.



There are many other neighborhoods within London where you can find different multicultural communities. It gets easier to move abroad when you have different communities and places you can visit whenever you are feeling home sick.

Within the UAL community, you can also find different cultural societies that you can join and meet other UAL students from your country. And if there isn't one, you can always create your own. 🙌🏼

Remember you can always reach out to us or your Hall Committee members if you are feeling lonely or homesick through here4u@arts.ac.uk (please reference your Hall in the subject line).

Please be reassured that everything you discuss will be dealt with confidentially and sensitively.