Exhibitions

The Bishops of London, colonialism and transatlantic slavery: resistance

On display from 24 April 2023

The Church of England was deeply implicated in Britain’s colonial expansion and the transatlantic traffic in enslaved Africans. The Bishop of London, who lived at Fulham Palace, was one of the Church’s most senior figures, having had jurisdiction over the British colonies around the world.

This exhibition is the culmination of a two-year research project. The exhibition, co-curated with spoken word poet Adisa the Verbaliser, worked with 100 participants from the surrounding community to explore the story of resistance of enslaved people through the four major themes: hair, dance (and martial arts), obeah and song.

The exhibition showcases the work of the community participants and examines the systems of physical and spiritual resistance that ultimately led to the ending of the transatlantic traffic in enslaved people and slavery itself in the British Empire. This is set against the backdrop of the historic involvement of the Bishop of London and the Church of England in colonialism and transatlantic slavery.

Details

• Open during museum opening times

• Admission is free

Seasons in time: the Palace garden from then to now

On display from 16 April 2025 • the drawing room cafè

From the earliest cultivation over 1,300 years ago to today’s heritage planting, uncover how the people, plants and purpose have shaped the Palace’s historic garden.

River Views: works by Edman O’Aivazian

28 July – 26 August • Bishop Terrick rooms

Welcome to River Views, a selection of paintings by British Armenian artist Edman O’Aivazian (1931 to 2020), whose long and distinguished career was dedicated to capturing the landscapes, waterways and changing character of London.

Working from his studio on Fulham High Street, Edman created an extensive body of work, often drawing inspiration from the Thames and the communities that lived and worked along its banks. A member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA), the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) and the Wapping Group, he travelled widely along the river and its estuary, documenting familiar scenes as they evolved through time.

This exhibition brings together a selection of paintings that showcase Edman’s distinctive style. Through vivid colour, expressive brushwork and a keen eye for atmosphere, he transformed everyday riverside views into striking and memorable images. His paintings celebrate both the beauty of London’s waterways and the fleeting moments that give them life.

The Bishop Terrick rooms occasionally close for private events. To avoid disappointment, please check our opening times for planned closures ahead of your visit.

Objects from the Oxford University Herbaria

July 2024 – present • temporary exhibition room

Discover rare botanical treasures from the Oxford University Herbaria, on display at Fulham Palace thanks to a unique partnership. This exhibition showcases herbarium specimens and botanical drawings from the time of Bishop Henry Compton (1675 – 1713), who cultivated over 1,000 plant species at the Palace.

Both specimens were collected here at the Palace. The Mexican cypress, known as cedro blanco in its native Mexico, and a fox grape specimen gathered by Rev. William Stonestreet during Bishop Compton’s time, reflect a growing interest in plants not just as ornamentals but also as food crop

These remarkable pieces provide a fascinating glimpse into the rich botanical history of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Discovering the Bishop of London’s Palace at Fulham

25 May 2019 – present

The first exhibition in our new museum celebrates our recent £3.8 million restoration project, revealing what was involved in this three-year programme to restore and reinterpret our Tudor courtyard and historic rooms and create new beds in the botanic garden.

Find out how the complex restoration project resulted in a richer understanding of the building of Fulham Palace, how the site was used and the people who lived and worked here over the centuries.

Learn about the work carried out by specialist conservators and craftspeople, and the traditional methods they employed to remain faithful to those used at Fulham Palace in the past.

Discover fascinating finds, from artefacts uncovered through archaeology digs to a 17th century painted wall hidden behind plasterboard.

Learn about the vital role our volunteers played in discovering more about Fulham Palace and the Bishops of London through carrying out an extensive archive research project and participating in archaeology digs.

Details

• On display from 25 May 2019

• Open during museum opening times

• Admission is free

Interested in showcasing your work?

Fulham Palace is a Grade I listed building surrounded by 13 acres of a beautiful Grade II listed garden creating the perfect backdrop to showcase unique and breathtaking works of art. Learn more about showcasing your work at Fulham Palace.