Fulham Palace

About the museum

Fulham Palace stands on a riverside site that the Bishops of London held from the early 8th century, when Bishop Waldhere acquired the manor. The estate later grew into a large moated site, and the oldest parts of the present house date from the 13th century onwards. The Great Hall and the Tudor courtyard were added in the late 15th century, and in the 16th century Bishop Grindal laid out a walled garden. Bishop Henry Compton, who served from 1675 to 1713, filled the grounds with plants from many countries.

In the early 1800s the east courtyard was remodelled in a classical style, and in 1866 to 1867 the Gothic Revival chapel was built. During the First World War the grounds were used for allotments and part of the palace served as a military hospital. The chapel was restored after bomb damage in the Second World War.

The Church of England left the palace in 1973. Hammersmith Council took a long lease in 1975, a trust was set up in 1990 to run the site, and the Museum of Fulham Palace opened in 1992. A phased restoration between the 2000s and 2019 repaired the Tudor courtyard and east wing, reopened the walled garden and moat area, and created a new museum. Today visitors can see the museum, the historic rooms, the botanic garden and the walled garden.

Highlights

• Free museum and historic rooms telling the story of the Bishops of London's country home
• Tudor courtyard and Great Hall from the late 15th century
• Georgian state rooms and the Gothic Revival chapel
• Walled garden and 13 acres of botanic garden on the Thames
• Free family trails for different age groups

Permanent exhibition

• Museum of Fulham Palace – Free displays in the museum and historic rooms trace the site from prehistoric finds through its centuries as the country home of the Bishops of London.

Founded

1992

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum and historic rooms is free; visitors can book a free timeslot or simply turn up. Both public tours include 10% off in the café afterwards, and Friends of Fulham Palace receive a complimentary tour.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The house, café and museum are described as fully wheelchair accessible; a ramp is always available for the two steps in the museum corridor and for the chapel. Accessible toilets are in the east courtyard, the chapel corridor, the museum and the education centre. Garden paths are level with a mostly solid surface, but some paths are uneven or gravelly. Museum films are subtitled, and large print exhibition text, leaflets and café menus are available on request. Benches are placed around the site and portable stools can be borrowed from staff. Blue Badge holders must register their vehicle in advance by phone (press 4 for the museum). Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Six free trails are available at the museum front desk: Mouse trail (ages 2 to 6), Beasts and bishops (ages 3 to 7) and four trails for ages 8 to 12. Little green fingers is a hands-on gardening workshop for children aged 3 and over, and workshops run in school holidays. There is a play area near the main lawn, baby changing in the east courtyard and chapel corridor, and a children's menu in the café.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode SW6 6EA. Cycle parking is available but bikes must be walked on site. Coaches should contact the Palace in advance. A signed footpath diversion near Putney Bridge station is in place until 2027.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Drawing room café serving seasonal food, and a museum shop. A volunteer-run garden barrow with an honesty box sells produce (10:30 to 15:30).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Tudor courtyard, Georgian rooms and 13 acres of garden can be hired for weddings, private celebrations, corporate events and filming.

Plan your visit