FAQs

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Palace!

Before you visit, here are the questions we get asked the most by our visitors and our answers.

Visiting

What entrance can I use?

There are three entrances to our site, two back gates and the main entrance on Bishop’s Avenue.

The back gate into Bishop’s Park and the gate into All Saints church are open until 16.30 daily.  At other times, please use the wooden gates on Bishop’s Avenue for entry and exit. See our opening times for full details.

Our site is open dawn – dusk. The walled garden, museum, shop and cafe have additional opening times which can be found on the dedicated page.

Is there parking?

There is no general parking available on site. There are metred parking bays on Bishop’s Avenue. An accessible parking bay for blue badge holders only is located within our gated car park. See getting here for more information.

Is Fulham Palace accessible?

We aim to make Fulham Palace as accessible as possible for all our visitors. See access for more information.

What’s the nearest tube station?

Putney Bridge on the District Line is only a short walk away. See getting here for detailed directions.

Can I use Fulham Palace house and garden as a location for photography or filming?

Fulham Palace offers a beautiful backdrop for filming and photography.

Personal photography is welcomed at Fulham Palace.

Student and informal photography shoots must have prior permission and a signed declaration from a member of our team. Commercial photoshoots and filming must be booked in advance with a member of our team. Drones are prohibited.

Get in touch with us on +44 (0)20 7610 7163 or filming@fulhampalace.org.

Are dogs allowed?

Sorry, no. We are dog lovers, but they’re not allowed on our site. Our neighbour Bishop’s Park offers lovely areas for dog walking.

Registered assistance dogs are welcome in all areas.

Can we play football, baseball, rounders or cricket?

Sorry, no. We have lots of very small children who visit and lots and lots of windows. We wouldn’t want anyone to be hurt or a window to be broken. Children under the age of five are permitted to play with soft balls while under adult supervision.

Our neighbour Bishop’s Park have plenty of open space where these games can be played.

Can we ride bikes, skateboards or rollerblade at Fulham Palace?

Sorry, no. We have lots of very small children who visit and fragile plants – we are a botanic garden after all! We wouldn’t want anyone or anything to get hurt.

Children under the age of 10 are permitted to ride bikes and scooters on our site while under adult supervision.

If you ride your bike or scooter to visit us, please dismount before entering the site and walk your bicycle to the cycle parking area located near the gated car park. Bikes and scooters are not permitted indoors.

Our neighbour Bishop’s Park have plenty of open space and paths where bikes can be ridden.

Can we ride e-scooters at the Palace?

Sorry, we don’t allow motorised scooters, bikes or other vehicles on our site.

Mobility scooters are permitted.

Can we see every part of the Palace?

The ground floor of the Palace is open to visitors and includes the museum, historic rooms and café.

Occasionally some parts of the Palace may be closed for private events. To avoid disappointment, please check both our ticketing platform and opening times a week before your visit.

Can we climb the trees?

Sorry, no.

Our trees are historic and very old. If you’d like to climb, please use our natural play area.

Can we pick the flowers or fruit in the garden?

Sorry, we don’t allow visitors to pick any of the Palace’s produce including flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Our garden team harvests the produce from the garden and sell it at the walled garden barrow.

Can I fly my drone over the Palace?

Sorry, no.

As much as we’d love to have a bird’s eye view, drones are strictly prohibited.

Picnics and parties

Can we have a BBQ?

Sorry, no — individual BBQs aren’t permitted. Our drawing room café offers a delicious selection of hot and cold food and drinks including wine and beer. See a sample menu.

Can we have a picnic?

Yes, our garden is perfect for small picnics. You’re welcome to bring along a rug to sit on. Please tidy up and take your rubbish home with you.

We do not permit any gazebos, tents, shelters or anything tied to our trees, including bunting and balloons. Nothing can be driven into the ground, including stakes or signs. We are a Scheduled Ancient Monument and we need to protect what’s underground.

If you’re planning a large picnic, group or activity for a group larger than 30 people, please contact our reception team on reception@fulhampalace.org to check availability and book your timeslot. If you’re planning a picnic or party of any size with an entertainer, picnic caterer or any other external organiser/assistant, there is a charge. Please see below for information about parties in our garden.

Can we host a birthday party on your grounds?

We have a fantastic garden for birthday parties and other celebrations when booked in advance!

We are a small independent charitable trust that receives no government funding.  Therefore we would be grateful if you could consider making a donation to us for any organised party or celebration for 30 people or over. We also ask that you contact us by email in advance so we know to expect your group, email reception@fulhampalace.org.

If you would like to bring an entertainer, picnic caterer or external organiser/assistant to the site as part of your party or event you will need to pay a set fee of £350 + vat (£420). This applies to parties or events of any size. The money from your event will go towards supporting the work of the Trust. Please contact us in advance by emailing functions@fulhampalace.org to check availability and to pay. Please note that we limit the number of parties with an entertainer each day, so you must book in advance or you may be turned away from the site.

We have a few site rules that you’d need to bear in mind:

  • Children must be supervised at all times.
  • Dogs are not allowed on site as it is a botanic garden.
  • You cannot have tents or gazebos set up as these can damage the lawn.
  • You are welcome to set up tables and chairs on the lawn, however, you must bring your own as we cannot allow the cafe’s furniture to be moved onto the grass.
  • Ball games are not allowed, except where under-5s are concerned (and then only a soft ball).
  • Balloons and bunting are permitted but cannot be attached to the trees.
  • Playing music is not allowed in the garden, except where this has been booked and paid for in advance with our functions team. Playing music is classed in the same category as having an entertainer as it can disrupt other visitors to the site.
  • Barbeques and hot food are not permitted in the garden and we cannot accept deliveries to the site either.
  • You are welcome to bring alcohol, but please do so in moderation as this is a private site and under the control of the licence holder.
  • Any rubbish must be taken with you when you leave as we do not have bins available.
  • We ask that you finish your party by 17:00, since our site closes shortly afterward. Please be aware that the outdoor toilets will close at 17:30 and those inside the building will not be accessible after 17:00.

Can we bring a children’s entertainer to the Palace for a picnic birthday party in the garden?

Absolutely, we’d love to welcome you and your entertainer but we do have some restrictions.

If you would like to bring an entertainer to the site as part of your party or event you will need to contact us in advance by emailing functions@fulhampalace.org to check availability and to pay a fee of £350 + vat (£420). Please note that we limit the number of parties with an entertainer each day, so you must book in advance or you may be turned away from the site. If you would like to use an indoor space for your event please contact our functions team by email at functions@fulhampalace.org.

We have a few site rules that you’d need to bear in mind:

  • Children must be supervised at all times.
  • Dogs are not allowed on site as it is a botanic garden.
  • You cannot have tents or gazebos set up as these can damage the lawn.
  • You are welcome to set up tables and chairs on the lawn, however, you must bring your own as we cannot allow the cafe’s furniture to be moved onto the grass.
  • Ball games are not allowed, except where under-5s are concerned (and then only a soft ball).
  • Balloons and bunting are permitted but cannot be attached to the trees.
  • Playing music is not allowed in the garden, except where this has been booked and paid for in advance with our functions team. Playing music is classed in the same category as having an entertainer as it can disrupt other visitors to the site.
  • Barbeques and hot food are not permitted in the garden and we cannot accept deliveries to the site either.
  • You are welcome to bring alcohol, but please do so in moderation as this is a private site and under the control of the licence holder.
  • Any rubbish must be taken with you when you leave as we do not have bins available.
  • We ask that you finish your party by 17:00, since our site closes shortly afterwards. Please be aware that the outdoor toilets will close at 17:30 and those inside the building will not be accessible after 17:00.

Functions and events

Can I hire the Palace to showcase my artwork?

Yes! Fulham Palace is a gorgeous Grade I listed building surrounded by 13 acres of Grade II listed botanic garden creating the perfect backdrop to show works of art.

Download the exhibition hire guide to learn more.

Can I hire Fulham Palace?

Yes, we have several historic rooms, two courtyards and acres of garden that are available for hire. Please see venue hire for more information.

Can we get married at Fulham Palace?

Yes, you can have a civil ceremony or partnership. You can also have a blessing in our chapel. View our weddings, civil ceremonies and receptions page for details.

Can we have fireworks?

No, we are in a residential area and we love our neighbours!

Can we have ‘Chinese lanterns’?

Sorry, no. They’re very pretty but flames floating into the air are a little scary for a Grade I listed building and trees that are hundreds of years old. We treasure what we have at Fulham Palace and it’s irreplaceable.

Is confetti permitted?

Yes, real petal confetti is allowed.

Do the fireplaces work?

Yes, both the great hall and the café can have real fires lit in them during the colder months.

Can we use candles?

They can be used in the chaplain’s garden marquee and in the courtyards. They cannot be used inside any of our buildings.

Are tickets to public events refundable?

Sorry, no. Event tickets are non-refundable unless we cancel the event. Outdoor events will go ahead unless it is dangerous to do so and event details are also subject to change. Please check events for up-to-date details.

Is your question not listed above?