Polish and Eastern European London

The history of Eastern Europeans in London is focused mainly on the 20th century. Of these communities the largest is the Polish.

According to the 2001 census just over 22,000 Londoners described themselves as Polish. This figure however does not include many people of Polish descent, whose lifestyle and culture retain many Polish traditions, but who describe themselves quite naturally as British. Neither does it take into account the arrival of many new Poles after the country joined the European Union in 2004. Today, there are at least 120,000 Polish people living in London, meaning this is currently the fastest growing of London's diverse communities.

It's probably too early to see what a lasting impact this new community will have on London's cultural landscape, but it is interesting to see that all major supermarkets have announced they are to stock many Polish dishes and delicacies. Another culture has arrived – and London will inevitably see the benefits.