Fulham Palace housed the Bishops of London for over 1,300 years, but archaeologists have traced life on the site back to prehistoric times. It’s now a treasure trove of exotic plants, fresh produce and historic artefacts that you can visit for free.
The palace’s patchwork architecture – blending styles from red brick Tudor to Strawberry Hill Gothic – reveals the site’s fascinating evolution. History seeps into every nook and cranny.
Ready to visit Fulham Palace House and Garden? Read on to learn all you need to know before you go.
Where is Fulham Palace House and Garden?
Fulham Palace House and Garden is in West London, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
The address is Fulham Palace House and Garden, Bishop’s Avenue, London SW6 6EA.
How to get to Fulham Palace House and Garden
South Western Railway has trains to Putney. It’s a 15-minute walk from there to the gardens.
Travelling by train
With South Western Railway, you can reach Putney directly from Reading, Woking, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Guildford, Winchester and Southampton Central.
Discover various ticket types and find cheap train tickets by booking in advance. With Railcards and discounts, you can save even more. Take advantage of GroupSave or Group Travel when travelling with friends and family.
Travelling in London
There are direct trains to Putney from London Waterloo, Vauxhall, Surbiton, Wimbledon, Staines, Earlsfield and Raynes Park. Once there, use a London Travelcard, Oyster card or contactless for seamless travel.
Things to do at Fulham Palace House and Garden
From private tours to play areas, there’s plenty to see and do at Fulham Palace House and Garden.
Events
To make the most of your visit, check the palace’s ever-changing events calendar. Highlights include various guided tours, from architecture to archaeology, that offer a rare glimpse into the site’s past.
Fulham Palace and Garden has free admission. However, many events are ticketed.
For more information, visit the events site.
Private tours
Private groups get the greatest insight into Fulham Palace House and Garden.
The site springs to life thanks to your guide’s expert storytelling. Learn about the ‘botanising Bishops’ who founded the garden and over 100 others who inherited the palace’s riches.
Tours last up to 90 minutes. Visit the website to book your visit.
Exhibitions
Visiting a temporary exhibition is one of the best ways to delve deeper into the palace’s vast history.
Explore the Church of England’s former colonialist ties or discover how Fulham Palace became a hospital in World War I.
Best of all? Admission is free!
Museum and historic rooms
The Fulham Palace Museum tells the story of the often-overlooked figures who shaped the estate. It highlights the butlers, housekeepers, gardeners, footmen and housemaids who maintained the site and helped make it what it is today.
The sensory room
Step back in time in the sensory room, an immersive experience that brings the sounds of Fulham Palace to life. It’s the best way to discover the palace’s fascinating history while entertaining the whole family.
The chapel
The Grade I listed Victorian chapel blends history and architectural beauty, reminding us that Fulham Palace formerly housed the Bishops of London.
Botanic garden
This 13-acre botanical haven is a lush tapestry of rare trees and vibrant plantings. It became famous during the Enlightenment under the green-fingered control of Bishop Compton, a collector of rare plants, who introduced the first magnolia from North America to Europe.
Having once supplied the estate’s food, it’s now London’s second-oldest botanic garden. A must-see for green-fingered visitors!
Walled garden
The walled garden is a wildlife lover’s paradise, with over three acres of plants, trees and bee hives. It features a knot garden, vinery, apple orchard and market barrow.
The market barrow has fresh, organically grown produce to browse, including seasonal treats like apple chutney and quince jam.
Play area
It’s not all history and politics at the palace; there’s something for all ages.
The palace’s play area complements the natural scenery. It features repurposed log climbing structures, perfect for entertaining children. There are also free family trails, complete with a clipboard and pencil for touring the museum, historic rooms and gardens.
Read our guide on travelling with kids before your fun family day out.
Shop
Fulham Palace House and Garden shop stocks various souvenirs, books and toys from small, independent suppliers. It’s one of the best ways to support the palace as all proceeds go towards improvements and maintenance.
Things to do near Fulham Palace House and Garden
There’s plenty to do near Fulham Palace House and Garden once you’ve toured the grounds.
If you want to stretch your legs, you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy one of the best walks along the Thames, which can take you east to bustling central London or west to leafy suburbia.
If you head east, you can extend your British heritage tour by visiting the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey.
Heading west, you can explore more of London’s greenery in nearby Richmond Park, where you can spot wild deer or discover an even wider array of botanical plants at Kew Gardens.
The choices are endless!
Food and drinks
Fulham Palace’s drawing room café serves homemade sandwiches, fresh salads, pastries, cakes and hot and cold drinks. It’s open from 9:30 til 17:00.
Or, bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden.
Fulham Palace House and Garden accessibility
The house, museum, café and garden are wheelchair accessible. However, this historic building has some uneven cobblestoned surfaces. The main entrance is step-free.
There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities in the east courtyard and chapel corridor. Large print texts and magnifying glasses are available.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
For more information, visit the Fulham Palace House and Garden access page.
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