On a school-free day, I seized the opportunity to take my child to Fulham to explore Fulham Palace. I had wanted to visit ever since I read an article about it years ago. This place is rich in history, and its gardens are a true gem. Best of all, it’s completely free for Londoners and tourists to enjoy!
Fulham Palace: a rich history
Fulham Palace served as the official residence of the bishops of London. Its history stretches back over 1,300 years and encompasses 133 Bishops of London!
As I found out, the Bishop of London holds a prestigious position within the Church of England, overseeing the Diocese of London – an area north of the River Thames that encompasses numerous royal palaces, Westminster, and the City of London.
The Bishops of London have significantly influenced British history, participating in key national and international events such as signing the Magna Carta, conducting coronations, and supervising the church’s operations in the British colonies.
It is thus quite poignant to enter this Palace, even though there are few artefacts and pieces of furniture remaining to vividly depict how the Bishops once lived here.
The Palace really shines with its variety of tours offered throughout the week. They cover diverse subjects such as history, archaeology (for both adults and kids audiences), architecture, and guided garden walks.
There are also temporary exhibitions, with the current one titled “The Bishops of London, Colonialism, and Transatlantic Slavery: Resistance,” definitely worth checking out.
Fulham Palace House & Café
As I strolled through the different rooms, I encountered portraits of bishops and could sometimes hear a voice providing insights into the past life of the palace…
The library stands out as the best-preserved room in Fulham Palace, housing numerous ancient religious books that have endured for centuries…
There are long corridors and a few rooms to be discovered, including the one were meetings were held (above), also the church was interesting to explore (below).
Lastly, but certainly not least – and it might just be the main reason for your visit if you’re not a big fan of old houses or if you’ve already toured the Palace – the Café! It offers a light, cozy atmosphere with a lovely view of the garden, along with delicious food and drinks. The perfect spot to unwind during the day!
Fulham Palace beautiful gardens
This is in my opinion the best part of the estate! The botanic garden at Fulham Palace not only is free of access, but it also covers 13 acres and features beautiful plantings, rare trees, and a charming walled garden. This is a true gem in London!
This garden offers diverse landscapes. There are lush green spaces surrounding the Palace, leading to the Café entrance (pictured above). Then, there’s the walled garden filled with plants, herbs, flowers, and greenhouses (pictures below). You can even purchase items to nurture your own green thumb at home.
And don’t miss the rose gardens along the River Thames, especially in early summer when the roses are in full bloom with vibrant colours and delightful fragrances (check out my insta to see the reel I made with these roses)!
If you want to complete your visit with lunch or dinner in the neighborhood, I highly recommend Cocotte restaurant, just 5 minutes away from Fulham Palace. You’ll find exquisite food in a cozy atmosphere at an affordable price!
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I hope you’ve enjoyed your exploration of Fulham Palace! If you’re planning a visit soon, I’d love to hear about it on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
To go further:
Fulham Palace House and Gardens: Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham, London SW6 6EA.
