A queer history of Fulham Palace: guided tour

Join community archaeologist Alexis for a guided tour exploring the queer history hidden within the Palace walls.

This tour shines a spotlight on architects John Seely and Paul Paget, whose work helped reshape Fulham Palace after the devastation of the Second World War. Commissioned to restore parts of the building, their most striking legacy can be found in the Palace chapel, where bold restoration choices and beautiful stained glass transformed a space damaged by bombing.

As you explore the chapel and surrounding areas, Alexis will reveal the story of Seely and Paget’s lifelong professional and personal partnership and place their work within the wider context of queer history in twentieth century Britain. You’ll also hear about the strong public reaction to their restoration, including criticism and debate about how historic buildings should look after wartime repair.

Blending architecture, social history and queer storytelling, this tour offers a fresh way to experience Fulham Palace and the people who have shaped it. Expect hidden histories, unexpected perspectives and a deeper understanding of how queer lives have left their mark on this remarkable site.

About the speaker

Alexis Haslam│ community archaeologist

Alexis Haslam, community archaeologist, joined Fulham Palace Trust in May 2017. He holds a BA in History and is a Member of the Institute for Archaeologists. He began working in archaeology upon graduating in 2000, working his way up from a field technician to a project officer. He has directed and published numerous archaeological excavations including his most recent work ‘Tales from the Vaults and other Newington Horror Stories’. After 16 years he left Pre-Construct Archaeology to join Fulham Palace Trust and is currently working on writing up the Palace’s long and complex history for a monograph due to be published in 2026.