For decades, people from Finland have been coming to London to live. From Hampstead Heath to Haringey, pockets of Finnish life are quietly thriving.

How Many Finns Live in London?

The exact number of Finns living in London is a bit of a mystery, as Finns aren’t ones to loudly announce their presence. However, estimates suggest there are around 20,000 Finns scattered across the UK, with a significant portion making their homes in the capital. While not a massive population compared to other expat communities, what they lack in numbers they more than make up for in influence—and, of course, cardamom buns.

Where do Finns live in London?

While there’s no official “Little Helsinki,” certain areas have become magnets for Nordic expats. North London, particularly Hampstead and Highgate, attracts Finns drawn to its leafy parks, family-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to wild swimming ponds. You’re likely to find Finnish parents pushing prams filled with impeccably dressed toddlers or stopping at a local café for oat milk lattes (because of course they were drinking oat milk before it was cool).

South London, with its artsy vibe and slightly more affordable rents (emphasis on “slightly”), is also popular. Areas like Clapham and Brixton host pockets of Finnish expats who blend seamlessly with the local crowd while quietly introducing Finnish quirks like rye bread sandwiches and the occasional sauna meetup.

East London, known for its creative energy and industrial chic aesthetic, has a smattering of Finns, too—artists, designers, and musicians drawn to the area’s galleries, music venues, and general vibe of gritty coolness. Finns in East London tend to blend their minimalist style with the neighborhood’s edgier trends, making them the ones most likely to rock an oversized Marimekko coat at a Shoreditch market.

While Finns are spread across the city, their sense of community ensures they stay connected, whether through Finnish schools, cultural events, or casual meetups at one of the Nordic bakeries or saunas dotted around town. It’s a small but tightly knit group, quietly thriving amidst London’s chaos, proving that you don’t need huge numbers to make a big impact.

The Finnish Institute

The Finnish Institute, based in Somerset House, has long been the community’s cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, lectures, and debates with a distinctly Finnish flavour.

Moomins in London

One of Finland’s greatest exports is the Moomins. These charming children’s characters can be found in two Moomin shops in London, one in Covent in Garden and the other in Camden.

Nordic Bakery

And let’s not forget the Nordic Bakery in Golden Square Soho, a haven for anyone craving a korvapuusti (a cardamom-infused cinnamon roll). The Nordic Bakery feels like stepping into Finland itself: minimalist, calming, and somehow making beige chic. The staff are so polite you might forget you’re in London at all, until someone inevitably walks in shouting about oat milk.

Community and Connection

The Finns in London are a tight-knit group, partly because they don’t come in overwhelming numbers. They’re a select crowd, like the artisanal cheese of expat communities. Finn-Guild, the largest Finnish expatriate organization, connects Finns across the UK, offering everything from language lessons to Midsummer celebrations that involve copious amounts of herring and, inevitably, karaoke.

Yes, karaoke. While the British use karaoke as a way to embarrass themselves after three too many pints, Finns approach it with the seriousness of an Olympic sport. There’s no irony when they belt out Livin’ on a Prayer—just pure, unfiltered passion.

And then there’s the sauna, a sacred space for Finns everywhere. In London, where most flats barely fit a functioning bathroom, finding a proper sauna is an art form. Enter the London Sauna Society, a loose network of Finns and sauna enthusiasts who gather to sweat out their London stress in spaces that actually know the difference between a sauna and a glorified steam room. For Finns, a sauna isn’t just a place to relax; it’s where deals are made, secrets are shared, and occasionally, people give birth. (This last one is rare in London, thankfully.)

Finns and the London Attitude

What’s remarkable about the Finnish community is how they’ve managed to stay true to their roots while adapting to London’s peculiarities. They’ve embraced the city’s multiculturalism, its creative chaos, and its 3 a.m. chicken shops. But they’ve also held onto the quirks that make them quintessentially Finnish.

Take sisu, for example. This untranslatable Finnish word embodies a kind of stoic determination—a mix of grit, perseverance, and sheer bloody-mindedness. In London, a city that tests even the hardiest souls with its delayed trains and astronomical rents, Finns bring sisu to the table like a secret weapon.

Then there’s their love of nature. In a city that prides itself on its parks but is really just a collection of fenced-off grass patches, Finns still find ways to connect with the great outdoors. Hampstead Heath, with its wild swimming ponds, is a particular favorite. You might spot a group of Finns plunging into icy waters while the rest of us stand on the shore in puffer jackets, wondering if they’ve lost their minds.

The Quiet Legacy

For all their understated charm, Finns have made a lasting impact on London. Whether it’s through design, with brands like Marimekko adding a splash of Finnish boldness to our homes, or through education, where Finland’s celebrated schooling system inspires debates among stressed-out British parents, their influence is subtle but undeniable.

And let’s not forget their contribution to music. Anyone who’s seen a Finnish heavy metal band perform at Camden’s Electric Ballroom knows they take their headbanging very seriously. But it’s not all thrashing guitars; Finnish musicians like Alma and Isac Elliot are carving out a space in London’s pop scene, proving that the Finns can do moody introspection and chart-topping bangers.

A Finnish Footprint

The Finnish community in London might not make headlines, but that’s part of their charm. They’re the quiet achievers, the ones who turn up on time, bring their own reusable coffee cups, and somehow make surviving in London look effortless. They don’t shout about their culture; they live it—through their dedication to equality, their love of nature, and their unwavering belief in the power of a good sauna.

They may be understated, but their presence makes the city a little calmer, a little cooler, and a lot more fascinating.