Your Community in London
London has many diverse communities with specialist shops, restaurants, markets and places of worship.
Our overseas students have kindly given us their recommendations of their favourite shops and services in London - it should help you find useful information about things from your home country that will help you settle in once you get here!
If you want to send us your recommendations or tell us about a festival or cultural event in London, please contact us at international@kcl.ac.uk.
Societies, Culture, Shopping, Restaurants, Worship & Wellbeing, Sports, Events & activities, Useful links
Societies & community
The Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at King's, hosts a series of activities for all students both Latin American and from other nationalities that includes different lectures and panels about Latin American Culture as well as Spanish lessons with a touch of drama. Please, take a look at their webpage or agenda to choose from the variety of activities offered, and to participate and enrich the cultural exchange.
The University of London, School of Advanced Studies, is home of the Institute for the Study of the Americas, which occupies a unique position at the core of academic study of the region in the UK, promoting, coordinating and providing a focus for research and postrgaduate teaching on the Americas.
The KCLSU (King's College London Student Union) Hispanic Society will expose students to the fascinating Spanish and Latin American cultures, allowing them to learn more about hispanic traditions as well as having an amazing time by socializing and meeting new people in a friendly and lively society.
The Anglo-Colombian Society is a not for profit, non-political organisation which seeks to improve knowledge of Colombia in the United Kingdom and to foster ongoing friendships between British and Colombian people. It provides a meeting point in London for British and other nationals with past and/or present links with Colombia whether through their professional or family lives and also for Colombian nationals living in the U.K.
The Embassy of Colombia to the United Kingdom and Ireland lists other interesting organisations based in the UK that promote business, cultural and social work links between the two countries. These organisations are listed in their Colombian Community page in their website. It is also possible to subscribe to the Embassy's Newsletter via their website and to follow their blog online.
The General Consulate of Colombia in London offers several services to the Colombian community in the UK through their website, and provides a list of translators (some of them, officially registered with the Colombian government).
There is a network of alumni from University of Los Andes in Europe based in London, which links to their cells in Holland and Spain, and with their pairs from Javeriana University
ColombiaNosUne - An internet effort from the Colombian Government to support and connect with all Colombians aboard.
Culture
Colombiage - (Colombian+Collage) The annual festival, run by Colombian volunteers based in London, which brings every year all kinds of Colombian contemporary talents (music, literature, film, gastronomy, fine and visual arts) to the cultural and artistic Londoner sphere.
Circolombia - Provides the most talented circus artists, workshops and trainers, offering a unique artistic experience with genuine Latin inspiration. 50% of Circolombia's profit go to the professional circus school for street children in Colombia.
Carnaval del Pueblo - An annual event that brings people from all walks of life and culture in one big day of celebration, food and arts wich involves people from all ages and likes.
London Latin American Film Festival - A non profit organisation with 20 years of experience and a Cuban origin, the festival is a launching plataform for Latin American filmmakers.
Como No! - The biggest 'promoter of live Latin events and other things we like' in London.
Latinos in London - Your one-stop source for everything Latin American/Hispanic in the UK since 2006. The UK media body, online source, event listing site and current affairs magazine for Latinos living in London or planning to come to London, and Londoners in general interested in Latin American culture. Includes Latinos in London Radio.
Casa Festival - This organisation aims to encourage the Lanin American community in the UK to come to the theatre, and to create opportunities for inter-cultural exchange and collaboration between Latin American and UK based theatre artists.
Canning House - An opportunity to broaden the knowledge of the politics, economics and diverse cultures of the Latin American and Iberian regions in London. Network with like-minded people at regular events ranging from business receptions to academic seminars, concerts, and exhibitions.
Jungle Drums - Monthly magazine in Portuguese and English, aimed at the younger end of the market. Articles on Brazilian and Latin American popular culture, society and politics, plus comparisons between life in the UK and Latin America.
Vamos! - Londons guide to the Latin summer!
Latino Music/Colombia - A complete source about Latin American music and cultural activities in London. A separate section dedicated to Colombian artists is included.
Latino Life - A complete magazine on line with all the information about Latin American cultural events and news in London.
Latino Meet Up / London - Lists some of the current cultural Latin American activities taking place in London.
Shopping
Supermarkets
This section covers all you need to know about where to shop in and around London.
London has a wide variety of specialist shops selling Colombian food & drinks.
With a latin flavour and a very important Colombian community nearby, Brixton Market offers more than one Colombian restaurant and butchers, as well as many different stands that sell Colombian arepas and empanadas. It is possible to find ajiaco on Saturdays at El Santafereño Restaurant there.
The Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre and shops around it homes a number of Colombian restaurants and little shops where is posible to find guascas, Colombiana, Uva and Manzana Postobón, bocadillo con queso and arequipe, as well as delicious pandebonos and empanadas. Also, some little Colombian shops offer clothes, handicrafts, chocorramos, Colombian coffee and corn flour to make arepas at home among other Colombian delicacies.
Pueblito Paisa - One of the biggest Latin American communities in London, and the biggest Latin American market in England. Located near the area of Seven Sisters street.
La Pequeña Colombia - A little Colombian shop in Holloway Road.
Restaurants
As a multicultural city London has a wide variety of restaurants serving cuisine from across the world. Many restaurants also offer set menus and theatre packages.
For special deals or to search for a particular style of food, you can use a restaurant finder website such as Top Table or Square Meal.
Colombian restaurants, discos and cafes in London
Below is a small selection of restaurants, cafes and party venues serving Colombian and Latin American cuisine where you can find empanadas, pandebonos, pandeyucas, bandeja paisa, and some other delicacies from the traditional Colombian kitchens.
Sabor (108 Essex Road, London, N1 8LX)
Tel: 020 7288 0880
http://www.sabor.co.uk/sabor-menu.html
Restaurante La Bodeguita (Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, London SE1 6TE)
Tel: 0207 701 9166
email: info@labodeguita.co.uk
http://www.labodeguita.co.uk
The Latin Corner (283 Camden Road, N7 0JN London)
Tel: 0207 682 3867
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Latin-Corner/107195199300420
La Chatica (2 Elephant Road, London, SE1 7LB)
Tel: 0207 231 2282
http://www.lachatica.com
Leños & Carbón (5-7 Rockingham Street, London, SE1 6PD)
Tel: 0207 407 8865
http://www.london-se1.co.uk/restaurants/info/664/le%C5%86os-and-carb%C3%B3n
La Mazorca (384 Brixton Road, Brixton, London, SW9 7AW)
Tel: 0871 223 5249
http://www.fluidlondon.co.uk/La_Mazorca_SW9.Bar
El Rancho de Lalo (94-95 Brixton Village Market, London, SW9 8PS)http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Rancho-De-Lalo/156815314336773#!/pages/El-Rancho-De-Lalo/156815314336773?sk=wall
El Barco Latino Bar & Restaurant (Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 2PP)
Tel: 020 7379 5496
http://www.coventgardenlife.com/places.asp?PlaceID=160
Los Guaduales (Finsbury Park - 53 Stroud Green Rd, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3)
Tel: 020 7561 1929
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/566386/restaurant/London/Los-Guaduales-Finsbury-Park
El Pilon Quindiano (94 Granville Arcade, Brixton, London, SW9 8PS)
Tel: 020 7326 4316
http://www.yell.com/reviews/el+pilon+quindiano-1u62n8w-r
El Santafereño (54 Brixton Road, Camberwell, London, SW9 6BS)
Tel: 078 5734 8193
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/listings/restaurants/restaurant-colombian/santaferenoincamberwell/
Las Iguanas, Eat Latin, Drink Latin (London Spitlafields, London Royal Festival Hall, The O2 and Lakeside)
Tel: 020 7620 1328 - Royal Festival House (The nearest to King's College Strand Campus)
http://www.iguanas.co.uk
BBC World services special on Food and Drinks lists some of the most beloved Latin American Flavours here. Latinos in London has compiled a very complete list of Latin American restaurants in their Facebook group page. More Colombian restaurants can be found in: Restaurants.co.uk and Yell.com.
Worship & Wellbeing
Many different faiths are practised across London and you will find churches, mosques, synagogues and temples in every neighbourhood.
The Chaplaincy team at King's can help you to locate places of worship for all major religions in London as well as places of worship that offer services in Spanish.
Places of Worship
A list of Christian Faith Oganisations in Lambeth Bourough (London), close to some of the majority of the College student residences.
Roman Catholic Church - Diocese of Westminster parishes list.
St. George's Cathedral - Roman Catholic Archediocese of Southwark (Cathedral House, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7HY)
Spanish mass: Sundays 1pm.
http://www.southwark-rc-cathedral.org.uk
St. Peter - Anglican Church in Vauxhall (Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5HY)
http://www.southwark.anglican.org/parishes/186cp2
Church Blog: http://stpetersvauxhall.wordpress.com
St. Francis de Sales - Roman Catholic Church (26 Larkhall Lane, Stockwell, London, SW4 6SP)
Spanish mass: Sundays 1pm.
http://www.san.fran.btinternet.co.uk
St Mary Moorfields Roman Catholic Church (4-5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS)
http://www.stmarymoorfields.net
St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church (26 Cornwall Rd. Waterloo, LONDON SE1 8TW). Very close to Stamford Street Apartments residence.
http://www.stpatrickwaterloo.org.uk/
Medical & Health
You are eligible for NHS healthcare if you are enrolled on a full time course lasting six months or longer. Please ensure you register with the college GP located at the Strand campus. Your GP will be your first point of contact for any medical advice or referrals to specialist doctors that you may need.
If you require urgent medical attention, you should attend the nearest hospital A&E department. (Please note: Guy’s Hospital does not have an A&E.)
NAZ Project London - HIV/AIDS and sexual health support service for BME - Black and Minority Ethnic communities (South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Horn of Africa and Latin American).
Community services for Colombian and Latin American people
Carila - Latin American Welfare Group. (Manor Gardens Centre, 6-9 Manor Gardens, London, N7 6LA)
Phone: 020 7561 1931
Information, signposting and referral: Tue, Thu, Fri 10am-12noon
LARWS - Latin American Women Rights Service.
LAWA - Latin American Women's Aid.
Also, there is a Latin American Golden Years association based in Westminster that runs a day centre for eldery people.
The Latin American House is a registered Charity that aims to provide space and support for Latin Americans, Spanish and Portuguese speakers and local communities in their multicultural Kilburn.
Sports, events & activities
London offers many different types of activities for people at all levels and abilities. Visit London has searchable listings of sports and events, as does Time Out London.
Below are some suggestions of sports clubs you may find interesting.
King's College London Students' Union Societies
Besides the Hispanic Society, the KCLSU provides a wide range of social, cultural, artistic and sporty spaces to interact with other students and enrich the experience of studying aboard. Here you can find a complete list of all student societies and sport clubs like Football, Capoeira, or the Dance Society, the Coffee & Tea, the Catholic Society and the Christian Union to name but a few. Find a group!
Please note that King's College London has no relationship with the following
establishments and cannot take responsibility for any actions taken by these companies or their representatives.
Sports & Dance
Here are some links to Salsa dance classes among other Colombian traditional activities available to lovers of Colombian culture:
Salsa Rythm - Salsa dance classes. The First in Colombian Salsa, Pachanga & Boogaloo.
Latin Culture - Learn salsa or Argentinean Tango in London. Beginners classes, private lessons, Latinos in London, Latin American Magazine.
Events & activities
A number of different charities based in London promote social work links and financial support for several organisations for children in Colombia and Latin America. The following are some of their websites:
Children of the Andes
Friends of Colombia for Social Aid
Let the Children Live!
Santa Maria Foundation
Children of Latin America
News
LatinNews - Latin American Newsletters. The world's leading source of economic and political information on Latin America since 1967.
El Ibérico - El periódico en Español de Londres. The newspaper in Spanish for London.
LAB - Latin American Bureau, a London based independent research and publishing organisation. Your gateway to the exciting politics and vibrant culture of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Express News - Latin American news on line.
Aculco Media