With its leafy streets, riverside views and distinct village-like feel that defies its location in the middle of West London, Fulham has long been known as one of the city’s most charming locales. While its neighbour Chelsea often grabs the headlines through its more glamorous reputation, Fulham does not lack for things to see and do, and by comparison, offers far more green spaces to explore.
Maintaining its status as an affluent area, Fulham boasts a palace, football stadiums, up-market retailers and plenty of parkland to stroll through. A day out in Fulham can be every bit as encompassing an experience as Picadilly, Soho or Kensington, with much to do, and plenty of hidden gems to stumble upon along the way.
Visit Bishops Park and Fulham Palace Grounds
Stretching along the banks of the River Thames, Bishops Park is Fulham’s most elegant green space. Known for its promenade that stretches along the river, it’s an ever-popular fixture with local walkers, runners, and dog owners criss-crossing the tree-lined avenues. The park's ornamental lake and wide lawns lend a more formal beauty that’s in keeping with its Victorian heritage, with charming views across the river of neighbouring Putney.
At the heart of the park is Fulham Palace – the former residence of the Bishops of London. The Tudor manor house was expanded through both the Georgian and Victorian periods, and has been carefully restored, now housing a small but informative museum about the history of both the palace and Fulham. An immediate highlight upon entry is the walled garden, complete with 18th-century vines and immaculate bordering. Visiting the palace offers the chance to dive into one of the area's most charismatic homes that has helped shape Fulham’s identity over the centuries.
Experience Premier League Football at Craven Cottage
The former royal hunting lodge, which is now home to Fulham Football Club since 1896 and among the oldest stadiums in the world, Craven Cottage boasts one of the best match day atmospheres of London’s many elite clubs. Sitting right on the edge of the Thames embankment, the nearly complete Riverside stand will transform the grounds' image away from its famous brick façade and original white ‘Cottage’ pavilion.
Football fans would be remiss to pass up on a match day opportunity, as Craven Cottage is known for its friendly and inclusive atmosphere, and fair ticket pricing compared to some of London’s other elite clubs. For those looking to go behind the scenes, stadium tours include access to the players' tunnel, dressing rooms, and the chance to admire the famous riverside view from the Johnny Haynes Stand.
Neighbourhood and Riverside Dining
Fulham has a raft of charming neighbourhood restaurants and eateries to dine out at, but the likes of Amuse Bouche on Parsons Green stand out as a particular local favourite. Coined from the French term for an appetiser or palate setter, this champagne bar offers all the bells and whistles for those on the lookout for a good meal, whether a light lunch or a decadent dinner affair.
For a slight detour out of the area, following the riverbank northward into Hammersmith will lead wanderers to The River Café, one of London’s most celebrated Italian restaurants. Opened in 1987 by Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray, the restaurant helped launch the careers of Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. It offers a near-incomparable riverside dining experience, with delicate pasta dishes such as wild mushroom tagliatelle and sweet and sharp lemon risotto, served from its open kitchen, as diners gaze out over the Thames.
Relax at the Hurlingham Club or Chelsea Harbour Spa
Fulham is home to one of London’s most exclusive members’ clubs. The Hurlingham Club, set within 42 acres of immaculately maintained grounds along the banks of the Thames, remains a quintessentially British institution and a hallmark of the area's affluence. Members have access to the finest croquet lawns, tennis courts, and regatta viewing, adding an air of prestige to the local area and occasionally, embracing the community by opening its doors for charitable events and other activities.
For those without a membership card to the Hurlingham, but looking to unwind amid the finest settings the area can offer, the Blue Harbour Spa at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel meets all requirements. The facilities include a 17-metre indoor pool with views of the harbour, a gym and spa complex with treatment rooms and a selection of ESPA treatments available. Located near Imperial Wharf’s Overground station, it's an ideal retreat for taking a moment to relax and enjoy the waterfront from a very different perspective.
Catch a Performance at Barons Court Theatre
Tucked beneath The Curtains Up pub near West Kensington, the Barons Court Theatre is one of London’s smallest, yet most atmospheric fringe venues. With just 52 seats, this intimate theatre showcases various performances from Shakespeare revivals to new writing and experimental works by rising stars of the London theatre circuit.
One of the Barons most engaging recurring shows is The Magic Cavern, showcasing both magic and illusion acts from all over Europe. For those more adverse to the West End’s big-production shows, this cinema-style basement theatre is the perfect tonic, offering both style and substance for a more vaudevillian outing in Fulham.
Explore Fulham’s Historic Broadway
Although most prominently known nowadays for its shopping centre and functioning as the connective tissue of the neighbourhood, Fulham Broadway hides a few surprises. Originally known as Walham Green village, the area experienced major urban development after the end of the Second World War, with Walham Green all but disappearing after being absorbed into the new developments. The old ticket hall of the former station building, now part of the Fulham Broadway Centre, still retains Edwardian tiles and ironwork, whilst a stroll just down the road takes wanderers to the atmospheric Brompton Cemetery.
One of London’s “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, Brompton is a serene burial ground and was a favourite walking spot for acclaimed children’s author Beatrix Potter. Characters from her Peter Rabbit novels are said to have been inspired by the headstones of Brompton, including the titular character himself. For those wishing to wander further, a stroll to Parsons Green leads to the White Horse, a historic pub affectionately nicknamed “The Sloaney Pony” by locals, and beloved for its enormous beer selection and bustling outdoor terrace.
