Fulham’s stretch of the River Thames offers a quieter side of west London, with riverside walks, historic gardens, open parkland, football heritage and newer places to eat and relax. For anyone searching for Riverside Things to Do in Fulham, the area around Bishop’s Park, Fulham Palace, Craven Cottage and Putney Bridge provides enough variety for a short afternoon or a longer weekend outing.
The appeal is that many of these places can be combined on foot. You can follow the Thames Path, stop in Bishop’s Park, explore Fulham Palace, see Craven Cottage from the riverside and finish at Fulham Pier. Here are five useful options to consider, along with practical points for planning a visit.
Why Fulham is worth exploring by the river
The Thames shapes one of the most distinctive parts of Fulham. Rather than relying on a single attraction, visitors can build a day around the riverside itself.
Bishop’s Park runs alongside the Thames near Putney Bridge, while Fulham Palace sits beside the river at the western edge of the park. Further north, Craven Cottage occupies a prominent riverside position, and the recently established Fulham Pier adds food, drink and leisure facilities to the waterfront.
The area is also well connected. Putney Bridge Underground station is on the District line, although visitors should check current walking arrangements because a construction-related diversion is in place on the route between the station and Fulham Palace.
Five Riverside Things to Do in Fulham
1. Walk through Bishop’s Park and along the Thames
For a free and flexible outing, start with Bishop’s Park. The Grade II registered historic park stretches along the north bank of the Thames and connects the area around Putney Bridge with Fulham’s riverside.
The riverside promenade is the obvious place to begin, but there is more to the park than the Thames itself. Facilities include play areas, a skate area, sports facilities, gardens and an ornamental lake, making it practical for families as well as walkers.
The park is particularly useful if you want to keep plans flexible. You can walk beside the water, stop for a picnic or simply sit and watch activity on the river. It also provides a natural route towards Fulham Palace and Craven Cottage.
2. Explore Fulham Palace and its gardens
Just beside Bishop’s Park, Fulham Palace combines riverside scenery with more than a thousand years of history. The former residence of the Bishops of London now has a museum, historic rooms, café and extensive gardens.
Admission to the house and gardens is free, although visitors wishing to see the house are advised to book a free ticket. The botanic garden currently opens from 7 am to 6 pm, while the museum and historic rooms are open from 10.30 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4.30 pm. Opening arrangements can change for private events, so checking before travelling is sensible.
The gardens cover 13 acres and include a restored walled garden, mature trees and horticultural displays. The walled garden alone covers 3.5 acres and includes an orchard, kitchen garden, knot garden and historic planting.
For a riverside day out, Fulham Palace works especially well alongside Bishop’s Park because the two are immediately connected.
3. See Craven Cottage from the riverside
Football is another major part of Fulham’s riverside identity. Craven Cottage, home of Fulham Football Club, sits beside the Thames at the northern end of Bishop’s Park.
Even if you are not attending a match, the ground is an interesting landmark to encounter while walking along the river. Fulham FC also offers tours of Craven Cottage, with options including standard and specialist experiences subject to availability.
A stadium tour requires more planning than simply walking past the ground, so check the club’s current tour schedule before making a special journey. Matchdays can also change the atmosphere and accessibility around the area.
For football supporters, combining the stadium with a riverside walk gives the visit a stronger sense of place than treating the ground as a standalone attraction.
4. Spend time at Fulham Pier
For a more contemporary take on the Thames, head towards Fulham Pier on Stevenage Road. The riverside destination opened in 2025 and has developed into a place for food, drink, events and leisure.
Visit London currently lists Fulham Pier as free to visit, with events at its Orange Box requiring booking and reservations recommended for Brasserie Constance. It also notes that the pier is closed on Fulham FC matchdays, so checking the latest arrangements is worthwhile before travelling.
Its position makes it particularly convenient to combine with Bishop’s Park and Craven Cottage. Instead of planning a whole day around one venue, visitors can use the pier as a stopping point during a longer riverside walk.
5. Walk across Putney Bridge and take in the Thames views
Putney Bridge provides a useful finishing point or starting point for exploring Fulham’s riverfront. The bridge connects Fulham with Putney and offers a different perspective across the Thames.
From the Fulham side, you can walk through Bishop’s Park towards the river and continue around the bridge. From Putney, the riverside route provides views back towards Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Park and Craven Cottage.
The wider Thames Path makes this particularly useful for walkers who want to extend their outing. The riverside route through Bishop’s Park can be continued towards other parts of west London rather than ending at a single attraction.
Planning a riverside day in Fulham
A little planning can make the route considerably easier. Putney Bridge is the obvious public transport starting point, but current construction works mean visitors should check the latest pedestrian diversion before setting off. Fulham Palace currently advises that a section of the Thames Path and Willow Bank are closed as part of a two-year construction programme.
If you are travelling with children, Bishop’s Park offers more opportunities for informal play and outdoor activity than a straightforward riverside walk. For history and gardens, allow extra time at Fulham Palace.
Those visiting for football should check Fulham FC’s fixture and tour information, while anyone heading to Fulham Pier should check opening and event arrangements. Riverside conditions, weather and temporary closures can all affect the experience.
What to consider before visiting
The best choice depends on how you want to spend your time. Bishop’s Park and the riverside walk suit visitors who want an inexpensive outdoor outing. Fulham Palace adds history and gardens without an admission charge, while Craven Cottage is more relevant to football supporters.
Fulham Pier provides a more structured food, drink and entertainment stop. Putney Bridge, meanwhile, works well as part of a walking route rather than as an attraction requiring a long visit.
For a first visit, combining two or three locations is generally more practical than trying to cover everything. The close relationship between the park, Palace, stadium and river makes this one of the easier parts of west London to explore on foot.
FAQs
What are the best riverside things to do in Fulham?
Popular options include walking through Bishop’s Park, visiting Fulham Palace and its gardens, seeing Craven Cottage, spending time at Fulham Pier and crossing Putney Bridge. Several of these can be combined into one walking route.
Is Fulham Palace free to visit?
Yes. Fulham Palace states that admission to the house and garden is free. A free ticket should be booked in advance for visits to the house, while opening arrangements can change for private events.
Can you walk along the Thames in Fulham?
Yes, although temporary diversions currently affect part of the riverside route around Putney Bridge and Fulham Palace. Check the latest local access information before setting off.
Is Fulham Pier free to visit?
Visit London currently lists general entry to Fulham Pier as free, although individual events may require booking. The venue can also have different arrangements on Fulham FC matchdays.
Can you visit Craven Cottage without attending a match?
Fulham FC offers stadium tours, subject to availability. Visitors should check the club’s current tour information before travelling, as tour dates and experiences can change.
Which Tube station is closest to Fulham’s riverside?
Putney Bridge on the District line is a useful starting point for Bishop’s Park and Fulham Palace. Current construction works have introduced a pedestrian diversion, so check the route before travelling.
Making the Most of Fulham’s Riverside
The strongest Riverside Things to Do in Fulham are not necessarily standalone attractions. The real advantage is being able to link several different experiences together: a Thames walk, time in Bishop’s Park, the historic setting of Fulham Palace, a view of Craven Cottage and a modern stop at Fulham Pier.
Check current opening arrangements and any temporary riverside diversions before travelling, particularly around Putney Bridge and Fulham Palace. With a little planning, the area can provide anything from a short riverside stroll to a full afternoon exploring one of west London’s most distinctive stretches of the Thames.
