1. Fulham Palace
This historical gem has a rich history dating back to medieval times. Up until 1973 it was the official residence of the Bishop of London.
During World War One the palace was used as a military hospital, but since 1975 the building and its botanic gardens have been open to the public.
The historic rooms within the grade I listed palace include the Tudor great hall. You can learn about the history of the palace and the people who lived there through interactive displays. A museum occupies a part of the palace, while there are separate outbuildings to explore, including the Tait Chapel.
The 13 acre gardens are a must-see part of the visit, and form the second oldest botanic garden in the capital. Rare trees, exotic plants, a walled garden, a kitchen garden, a vinery and orchard all contribute to make the gardens a lovely spot to visit.
Entry to Fulham Palace and the gardens is free, although there are regular expert led tours available which are priced from £8 per person. The historic rooms and museum are open Wednesday to Sunday, with the gardens open daily. The cafe is also open daily, serving a selection of home-made pastries and toasties, as well as hot and cold drinks.
2. Pottery Cafe
How about trying your hand at painting ceramics as you enjoy a coffee and cake. Fulham has a heritage in ceramics going right back to the 17th century.
At the Pottery Cafe anyone can learn about this time honoured craft and paint their own keepsake.
Originally founded by Emma Bridgewater in 1998, a renowned name in ceramics, the Pottery Cafe seats 50 people in the main painting studio. Visitors choose a handmade ceramic item as well as the paints and sponges they will use, before turning their hand to painting.
Assistants are always on hand to help you. This is a great family experience and there is an additional studio space which can accommodate a group of up to 18 painters. There is also a toy shop at the front of the cafe, whose products include fair trade and wooden toys.
There is a set fee for a painting session of £6.99 per person which coves your paints and sponges. The cost of your chosen pottery item is added to this fee. There is a good range of items you can choose from, with mugs starting from £12.95 and plates from £15.95.
3. Bishop’s Park
Bishop’s Park is located next to the river Thames and is an ideal place for a walk or to use the sporting facilities on offer.
Its location sees pleasant walks by the river as well as along the park’s paths, which take in the ornamental lake.
The park has a number of gardens and meadows you can enjoy, including Bishop’s meadow, the Sculpture garden and the Spanish War memorial garden. One of the unique attractions of the park is the urban beach, bringing a touch of the seaside to central London. This is a timely restoration of the previous park beach which was closed in 1949.
Sports catered for within the park include tennis, basketball, bowls and table tennis. A skate park plus a couple of playgrounds ensure the whole family is covered for entertainment within this lovely green space.
Bishop’s Park is open all year round from dawn, with closing times ranging from 7pm in November through to 10pm during the Summer months.
4. Plus One Gallery
An established part of the London art scene, Plus One Gallery relocated to the Piper building on Peterborough road in 2018.
Visitors to the gallery will be treated to an exhibition of British and international contemporary hyperrealism.
This is an art form which resembles high resolution photographs. Painters and sculptors are exhibited in the gallery, with both emerging and established artists represented. A range of styles can be admired at the gallery, including still life, landscapes and portraits. There is an eclectic mix of themes and subjects within these styles.
The gallery hosts regularly changing exhibitions, with the Summer Group show a recent example. This exhibition featured spectacular new paintings from artists including Pedro Campos, David Wheeler and Alexandra Averbach.
Plus One Gallery is passionate about their art and their artists. For visitors it offers a unique opportunity to marvel at contemporary hyperrealism from some of the best practitioners of this art form in Britain and from across the world.
5. Shopping
The bustling streets of Fulham are an excellent place to head for some retail therapy. Independent stores and boutiques mix with large chains to provide a good all-round shopping experience.
Fulham Broadway Centre
This is a shopping centre located right in the heart of Fulham and easily accessed from Fulham Broadway underground station. Shops found in the centre include Accessorize, Wilko, O2, Boots and Sainsburys. The centre also has plenty of food options, as well as a nine screen cinema.
North End Road Market
This historic market offers a real slice of London. Open Monday to Saturday there is a wide range of food produce to be found, from food on the go through to all the ingredients for your home-cooked meals for the week. Hot and cold food stalls offer cuisine from around the world, although emphasis remains on local, seasonal produce. Besides fresh food there are further stalls selling assorted items for the home.
Lillie Road
This is the road to head for when you are in search of antiques and unique items for the home. There are 19 antique shops along Lillie road selling antique furniture, lighting, decorative art work and more, covering a range of styles and time periods. If you need some interior design inspiration for your home then a stroll down Lillie road could be just the ticket.
6. Craven Cottage Tour
Craven Cottage, home to Fulham football club, is one of those iconic old-school stadiums with quirks which exude character.
This is the oldest football ground in London, a stadium packed with history and footballing memories. However, you do not have to be a football fanatic to appreciate a visit to Fulham FC.
The hour long Craven Cottage guided tour takes you behind the scenes of this atmospheric ground. You will have access to the players changing rooms and tunnel. You will be taken pitch-side as well as out on to the famous Craven Cottage balcony, the building which adds so much character to the stadium.
The listed facade of the Johnny Haynes stand is a feature of the tour which may stand out for many visitors. This stand has largely remained unchanged since 1906 and is the most traditional part of a traditional stadium. The guided tour is completed with a visit to the football club’s retail store.
Craven Cottage tours operate throughout the week between 11am and 3pm. Adult prices for the tour are £20, with £15 for children aged between 5 to 15 years. A family ticket costs £60, while under 5’s are admitted free of charge.
7. Under The Bridge
If you are looking for a lively end to your day out in Fulham then head to Under The Bridge, a live music and events venue.
This is a purpose built gig venue with state of the art sound and lighting systems. It is largely a standing venue, although there are a few booths toward the back with seating.
The venue takes its name from its location beneath Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC. Under The Bridge can be found near the East stand reception area and is a five minute walk from Fulham Broadway underground station.
Under The Bridge has a complete range of gigs and events throughout 2021. Ticket prices vary depending on the artists and events, but general admission tends to start from around £20. For some events an early bird ticket may be available which offers a cheaper price.
Although there is not a restaurant serving food, there is a full bar at the venue. Under The Bridge can hold up to 600 people and was designed to pay tribute to the great London rock venues of days gone by. A collection of iconic photographs celebrating the history of UK music forms part of the interior décor.
8. Food and Drink
Fulham is a foodie haven with plenty of choice for places to eat and drink. A range of cuisines and a range of budgets are catered for in the restaurants, cafes and pubs of Fulham. The following are samples of the quality of dining in the area.
River Cafe
Set slightly back from the river Thames, the River Cafe offers Italian inspired food from their seasonal menus, changed on a daily basis. Appetizers on the Summer menu can start from £22, while a main course such as Salmone al Sale is priced at £43. The extensive wine list offers a wide selection of wines from Italy.
Foxden
Foxden is a British burger restaurant, offering gourmet burgers using the best in British produce. A recent addition to the area’s food scene they can be be found at Jerden Place in the heart of Fulham. Foxden’s have quickly established themselves with their extensive burger menu which includes vegetarian and vegan options. The classic burger starts from £8.50 while the popular Foxden burger costs from £14.50.
Vegane
This is a vegan restaurant where meals are all home-made using 100% plant based, fresh ingredients. The main menu includes pizzas, burgers, stews, salads and more. A sweet potato burger is priced at £9.50, while a jackfruit pizza costs £13. The extensive menu sees mains priced largely between £10 to £12. Desserts are not forgotten either, with two scoops of ice cream costing £3.50 and the saffron rice pudding priced at £6.
Harwood Arms
The Harwood Arms is a Michelin-starred pub tucked away in the back streets of Fulham. Using the best in British produce, the menus have a particular focus on game and wild food. Slow cooked lamb and chalk stream trout are a sample of the mains on the daily menu, with a three course meal priced at £49.95. The Sunday menu is similarly priced with a choice of four roasts to enjoy.
9. London Wetland Centre
Just across the river and opposite Bishop’s Park is the wonderful London Wetland Centre. This nature haven in the middle of London is certainly worth a trip across the river when visiting Fulham.
The varied landscaping includes lakes, pools and gardens, attracting a range of wildlife to this tranquil spot.
The paths meandering around the centre are perfect for a peaceful walk amid beautiful surroundings. There are hides positioned around the site where you can relax and watch the birds and wildlife which visit this slice of countryside within the capital.
Around 180 species of birds alone frequent the centre across the course of a year. Otters, voles, marsh frogs and dragonflies are some of the visitors you may also get to spot. Experiences like the Wetland Explorers are great for introducing children to the pleasures and importance of nature.
The London Wetland Centre opens every day of the week, with adult admission from £13.40. A family ticket covering two adults and two children is also available from £36.63. The centre has a shop, plus a restaurant where you can eat inside or out. Picnics can be eaten in the areas provided.
10. Apollo Hammersmith
Currently called the Eventim Apollo, this stage has featured some of the greatest performances from the world’s best performers.
Many bands and comedians have released albums and DVDs form their Apollo shows. The acclaimed Alchemy album from Dire Straits is a prime example.
The Apollo Hammersmith is synonymous with top quality entertainment, and you should check out what is on in advance of a trip to Fulham. You do not want the disappointment of finding out after the event that one of your favourite artists was playing there when you were in town.
The venue has a sizeable seating capacity of 3,655 and is located opposite the Broadway shopping centre. The nearest tube station is Hammersmith. The theatre has a number of bars where you can buy alcohol and soft drinks, although there is not a restaurant on site.
Prices vary by artists, while ticket prices can also vary according to seat location within the circle or stalls for some shows.
11. More things to do in Fulham
Fulham has such a good and varied selection of places to visit. The following are some more noteworthy things to do and see in Fulham.
Warr’s Harley Davidson
Warr’s is a celebration of all things Harley Davidson. Visit the showroom to see the latest models of this American classic, before heading in to the museum dedicated to the history of this much loved motorbike. This family run business is the oldest and largest selling Harley Davidson group in Europe.
The museum located at their King’s road showroom has a revolving display of classic machines. Pride of place goes to an original 1914 Harley Davidson, but all the models are testament to the motorbike manufacturer's engineering prowess through the decades.
London Cru Winery
Enjoy tasting the samples as you learn about wine-making on this relaxed tour of the London Cru winery. When it opened in 2013 London Cru became the first urban winery in the capital, sourcing their grapes from English vineyards.
Tours cost £20 and last around an hour. You will be led by London Cru’s very own winemaker, who will be able to let you in on some of the secrets of the wine making process. The winery is tucked away down Seagrave road, but is well worth seeking out.
Brompton Cemetery
This garden cemetery is a lovely place for a stroll or to just sit and relax in contemplation. A cemetery may not be the first place you consider to visit, but this is a popular spot for both locals and visitors to the area. This grade I listed cemetery attracts a host of wildlife which enjoys the undergrowth and the shelter from the many trees. Among those buried here are Emmeline Pankhurst and Sir Henry Cole.
