The Polish Tent at the “Summer Fête” in the Gardens of Brompton Oratory

Every year in late June, a picnic is held at the Brompton Oratory Church in South Kensington, London. Known as the “Summer Fête,” the event celebrates traditional values, family ties, and fosters connections between the UK and citizens of other nations. Guests typically include key figures from London’s political and cultural circles.

The church, which boasts one of the largest private gardens in London, opens it to the public only once a year to welcome the Catholic community to the fête. The aim is to bring the faithful together and raise funds for the church’s upkeep. The garden is filled with stalls selling food, drinks, books, jewellery—items that support the charitable mission.

The event is exclusive, and only trusted individuals from London’s Catholic circles are invited to host a stall. For several years, the Oratorians have kindly permitted a Polish tent. Once again this year, the British Poles will manage it.

From the outset, the Polish stall has been hugely popular, drawing crowds eager to taste our delicious traditional products. Each year’s sales have been a tremendous success, with queues forming almost continuously. Guests praise the flavours of Poland. All products sold during the fête are donated free of charge by Polish companies, and 100% of the proceeds go to the church.

So far, generous donations have been pledged by:

– Top Spirit (beer and drinks)
– Łowiczanka Restaurant from POSK (Polish delicacies)
– Polish Village Bread (pączki!)
– Ferment Fizz (fermented fruit lemonades)

We thank all our sponsors from the bottom of our hearts!

The church has been well known to the Polish community since World War II. The South Kensington area, where the church is located, was then the heart of Polish life in London. After the war, tens of thousands of Polish soldiers—mostly Catholics—chose to remain in Britain, fearing arrest in communist Poland.

South Kensington became the centre of émigré life, home to institutions such as the Polish government-in-exile offices, the White Eagle Club, Ognisko Polish Club, the Polish Airmen’s Association, veterans’ groups, the Dziennik Polski editorial office, the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, and some of London’s oldest Polish restaurants, such as Daquise and Ognisko (where General Władysław Anders had a favourite table). These places were gathering points for the émigré community.

Brompton Oratory Church held a central place among them.

We warmly invite you to visit the Polish tent (and many others as well)!

WHEN: Saturday, 21 June 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00

WHERE: Brompton Oratory, Brompton Rd, London SW7 2RP (nearest station: South Kensington – Piccadilly, Circle, or District line)

INFO ON BROMPTON ORATORY WEBSITE: here