a slice of Finnish life in london

In the city of London, one can find a multitude of different languages and cultures. In Chinatown, tourists and locals alike have access to a variety of East and Southeast Asian markets, cafes, and more. Off Portobello Road, the community is flourishing with Spaniards. One local described it as “the Spanish are everywhere!” Tucked away in the Rotherhithe district lies the Finnish Church in London.

While formalizing our plans to visit the local Finnish community, the church kept reappearing in my research.

Thus, my co-researcher and I set out to find it. Little did we know that our arrival took place during their closure for the Spring Fair. Nonetheless, the church volunteers graciously welcomed us to share about their community.

The Finnish Church was established one hundred and forty-five years ago alongside the port of London. Shortly after its existence, the church began serving seamen through offering a place to bathe: a sauna. The term “sauna” originated from Estonian which is a Finnic language. Thus, the term itself comes from the Finnish.

According to one of the volunteers, saunas have always been a cornerstone for Finnish community. She stated that historically there was little access to running water and electricity. Thus, saunas were utilized as communal baths. Additionally, if there was no hospital nearby, babies were delivered in saunas. The benefits and usage of saunas are endless!

Not only do saunas have practical use, but they are a focal point in festivals. Every year, Finns host Midsummer celebrations. In Finland, Midsummer would begin with bathing in the sauna followed by time spent on the lake and barbecuing. While lakes aren’t as accessible in London, the Finns still host a Midsummer festival at the church. The traditional events still take place alongside live karaoke and dancing. The atmosphere is about celebrating the arrival of warmer weather and summer holiday.

A highlight of the Finnish Cafe as taken by a member of our team

The church doesn’t simply provide a public sauna, but it offers a variety of Finnish cuisine. Wednesday through Fridays, one can find pastries such as cinnamon buns and Karelian pies at the café. On the weekends, you can experience a traditional Finnish meal for lunch. During these days as well, the shop is open where you find Finnish candy, condiments, rye bread, and other staples.

Wanting to stay in London longer and embrace the Finnish culture?

The church also offers accommodations through their hostel rooms. You can reserve a single bed or an entire room for you and your party. While the utilities are fairly basic, you have easy access to the heart of London as the Rotherhithe underground is less than a five-minute walk away. The church is nestled in the quieter side of town too if you need to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

If you’re in the West End of London looking for more Finnish cuisine, stop by the Scandinavian Kitchen. Our volunteer friend recommended this location to us as the only place outside of the church that offers Finnish staples. Thus, my co-researcher and I set off on another adventure.

This café has food from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Upstairs, you can order at the counter from their wide variety of sandwiches, hot food, and drinks. Personally, I recommend the Nordic Smoke Salmon Sandwich alongside a can of Pommac Original. Downstairs, you can find sweets, cupboard essentials, dairy products, and different types of meat. My sweet tooth kicked in, so I settled on Fazer Geisha and Tutti Frutti Original. Geisha is the perfect blend of smooth milk chocolate and a slight crunch from the praline center. I saved my Tutti Frutti Original for a mid-run snack. It was the perfect pick me up on a seven-mile day!

Whether you’re in London on an extend holiday or for a short weekend away, I encourage you to explore the diverse cultures that it offers. In particular, experience a taste of Finnish culture and lifestyle at the Finnish Church in London.