Bishop's Park, Fulham, London

This is a delightful spot - quite unexpected as it can’t really be seen from the road. It surrounds the grounds of Fulham Palace, one of the mediaeval summer retreats of the Bishops of London.

The park itself was opened by the London County Council in 1893, on land given by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. It is listed at Grade II on english Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

At the Putney Bridge end, adjacent to All Saints church (also worth a look) are Pryors Bank gardens, which contain a small cafe. The park then runs along the north bank of the River Thames, essentially as a broad green avenue with an embankment walkway along the river, before splitting into two arms: one follows the river and has lakes and formal planted beds, whereas the other, along Bishop’s Park Road, contains tennis courts and bowling greens, with another small park area fronting Fulham Palace Road.

It also contains the Bishop’s Park Moat Trail, which follows the line of the mediaeval moat of Fulham Palace. Alas, this was filled in, between 1921 and 1924. It is said to have been the largest mediaeval moat in the UK, and parts of it may even have dated back to Neolithic times.

As others have said, it’s a great place for recreation, and a busy thoroughfare with lots of cyclists using its dedicated cycle paths. It’s very popular during the Boat Race, due to the great views along the river, but it’s nice to stroll on any sunny day.

There are plans to revamp the park, restoring a number of Victorian features, Fulham Beach and the pitch and putt course.

This is a fantastic park. I’m really surprised that Sunday was the first time i have ever visited! The picturesque Bishop’s Park stretches along the banks of the Thames from Craven Cottage (home of Fulham FC) down to Putney bridge. As well as containing Fulham Palace, as The Duck rightly observed, the park is packed with tennis courts, rose gardens, playgrounds, bowling greens and much, much more. In fact, the tennis courts looked to be some of the finest public courts in London (up yours Lambeth!). This must also be an incredible vantage point for the Oxford vs. Cambridge boat race. I can definitely imagine the cycle lane brimming with spectators!

One final fun fact - Bishop’s Park also features in the film “The Omen”. The park plays host to the gruesome end of a local priest! Best not to walk around these parts after dark i’d say ;)