6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Historic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8For more than 1,300 years, Fulham Palace was home to the Bishops of London. Its historic rooms and museum now sit alongside a 13-acre garden with a knot garden, kitchen garden, orchard and veteran holm oak.
A long-lived London residence where the history is woven into a living garden: explore the Tudor great hall and archaeological displays, then step outside to a walled garden and a holm oak said by the official site to be 500 years old.
Historic · Peaceful · Green
Find your way
Open mapBishop’s Avenue, Fulham, London SW6 6EA
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the historic rooms and museum, then take in the garden’s walled spaces, planting and old trees. The official visitor guide identifies specific features to seek out, including the Tudor great hall, knot garden, kitchen garden, orchard and veteran holm oak.
Things to do
Meet the Bishops in the Tudor great hall
Visit the great hall and use the Palace’s displays to explore the lives and roles of the bishops and their families.
Explore the archaeological displays
See artefacts discovered at the site and follow the Palace’s account of its archaeology.
Walk through the walled garden
Find the knot garden, productive kitchen garden, vinery and apple orchard within the walled garden.
Look for the old holm oak
The Palace identifies a 500-year-old holm oak as its oldest resident; look for it among the garden’s notable trees.
See the chapel and sensory room
The Palace’s visitor guide describes a chapel exploring the religious lives of the bishops and a sensory room with sounds of the Palace past and present.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; indicative, not an official visit duration
Quick escape: house and garden highlights
- 01
Check current opening information before you go; the house and garden may have separate hours.
- 02
Explore the museum and historic rooms, including the Tudor great hall and the archaeological displays.
- 03
Continue into the garden to see the walled garden and knot garden, then look for the old holm oak.
Half day · Half day; indicative, not an official visit duration
Make a half day of it: explore the Palace and its gardens
- 01
Begin with the museum, historic rooms and archaeological story of the site.
- 02
Explore the 13-acre garden, including the walled garden, kitchen garden, vinery and apple orchard.
- 03
Look for the historic plant displays associated with Bishop Compton and the veteran holm oak.
- 04
Pause at the café if it is open; check current café hours before visiting.
Verified history
The Palace states that it was home to the Bishops of London for more than 1,300 years. Its visitor displays interpret the people who lived and worked there, the bishops’ roles as estate owners and family men, the religious life of the household, and archaeological finds from the site. The gardens also preserve a botanical history: the Palace highlights exotic plants grown by Bishop Compton in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Hidden details
The Palace’s oldest resident — Look for the holm oak described by the Palace as 500 years old, a living point of connection with the estate’s long history.
Bishop Compton’s botanical interests — The garden includes examples of the exotic plants Bishop Compton grew at the Palace in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
When to go
· The official visitor page lists separate opening hours for the botanic garden, walled garden and museum; choose a time that allows access to the parts you want to see and check for event-related closures.
The Palace’s visitor information describes the garden as open year-round and highlights features across the grounds rather than a single seasonal attraction. Check current opening hours and garden conditions before visiting.
Check the forecast before visiting the gardens. Current opening times and any private-event closures should be confirmed with the Palace.
Worth pairing with
Bishop’s Park
A Fulham history walk account describes Bishop’s Park as part of a wider walk incorporating the Palace. Treat this as an optional extension and check local access and route details before setting out.
What to look for
- 01
The Tudor great hall
- 02
archaeological artefacts from the site
- 03
the chapel
- 04
the knot garden, kitchen garden, vinery and apple orchard
- 05
and the old holm oak identified by the Palace as its oldest resident.
The story
Church history, archaeology, gardens and historic collections
Best time to go
Year-round; the gardens are open throughout the year. Visit the walled garden and seasonal planting when it is open, and check current opening information before setting out.
The botanic garden is listed as open 07:00–18:00; the walled garden, museum and historic rooms have separate hours. Check the official opening information before visiting, as parts may close for private events.
How long to spend
1–2 hours; allow longer for the house and gardens
Perfect for
History lovers · Garden lovers · Families · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10:30am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10:30am-5pm
- Thursday: 10:30am-5pm
- Friday: 10:30am-5pm
- Saturday: 10:30am-5pm
- Sunday: 10:30am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The official visitor page says the house and garden are open to all, year-round, free of charge. A free time slot can be booked or visitors can turn up; check current opening times and possible private-event closures before travelling.
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Parking
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Toilets
The source record reports an accessible toilet; check current visitor facilities before travelling.
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Food & drink
The source record lists a café as a place type; check current service and opening times before visiting.
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source record reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park and toilet. Check the official visitor information for current access details.
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Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Fulham Palace
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
