Bishop's Park

Many happy memories of this park, having grown up in Putney back in the 1950's. In those days the paddling pool was perfect, with an island in the middle, plus a large sandpit which was adjacent to the pool. The area beyond the pool was left quite 'wild' which was great for playing games of hide and seek. In 1955 I went to Bishops Park Secondary School in Finlay Street, and we would go down to the park in the summer to play tennis, which I loved. (The school was also known as Finlay Street School but, when I went in 1955, the name had changed to Bishops Park).

Having lived 5 mins away from this park all of my childhood, this is where we played. I remember when the huge pond with the island was our swimming pool. There was the bandstand. Cricket on the green by Craven Cottage. Then I moved away. Years later when my grandchildren came along I started to bring them here. The toddlers play area was fantastic. As well as the the swings etc, there were peddle cars, scooters,tricycles. A whole host of ride ons that the kids loved. There was the hut that had toilets for little people & sectioned areas with different play themes. Outside there was water play & painting. We never came last year as the park was being revamped. We returned this spring & were a little disappointed. There is a toddlers playground & one for 8yrs plus. My grandchildren are 4 & 6, they are too old & too big for the baby swings & too young & too small for the tyre swings. They like climbing frames but the only one is in the older playground. The pool area was still under construction. We returned in the summer hols & were again disappointed by the pool. The sprinklers & fountains were great, but there were just 3 puddles of water. This would have been good if they could of contained enough water to make little pools. Visually this park is superb. There is plenty of seating The cafe is very pricey. £1.80 for a cup of tea. The ice cream is a little too adult for little hands. Where did Mr Whippy go?. All in all I think a little more thought should go into catering for the 3 - 7 year olds. Bring back the hut. 

A fine place to take a stroll starting at the north side of putney bridge and the church that book ends the bridge. You have the interesting Spanish civil war memorial and the picturesque path by the Thames. Additionally Bishops palace is a great little place to have an explore and nose around. This is certainly more of a something to do park than its closest rival Wandsworth park to the south of the river.

In between the parks and the Thames are two footpaths separated by a line of plane trees that seem to grow differently to the other plane trees in London. These trees seem 'squat', broader and wider spreading. Is there a reason for this? The park is a real treat. The range of spaces that have been created by thoughtful design that has retained the mysterious history that the park evokes are human, functional and comforting. 

i love bishops park
great for picnics and days out with the children

Was just thinking about writing a guide for free things to do with the kids these Summer hols (incase the little people are driving you up the wall already!!) ...And was going to include the fabulous Bishops Park. But then remembered!!!!

Having just seen that the last review for this park was in 2008 when Bishops Park DID have the most amazing kids area for hot summer days.

The huge paddling pool with sprinklers and fountains which all kids from toddlers to teenagers seemed to adore - IS NOW CLOSED!!!

WAS ABSOLUTELY GUTTED WHEN I FOUND THIS OUT!!!

Just thought I would add this now incase anyone reading the previous reviews and not in the know decided to pack up the peanut butter sarnies, jammy dogers and 'ankle biters' and head off for an afternoons aquatic adventure in SW6. You'd be even more gutted than I was who only had a 15 minute walk!!

The good news is - am under the impression from the local council that this area of Bishops Park is being completley redeveloped YAYYY!!!!

Needless to say the entire park is still a great outdoors gaunt on for a sunny afternoon stroll.

Right on the banks of the Thames between neighbouring Putney and Fulham there are still plenty to keep young and old occupied. Tennis courts, basket ball zone, footie kick around area, toddlers playground, loads of riverside cycle paths, gardens galore, a cool little cafe boasting top ice creams and the stunning Fulham Palace on it's doorstep!

Nearest tube Putney Bridge which is less than a 5 minute walk away

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 ;)

This is a great park, it has a walk along the embankment, a large but shallow paddling pool for children, next door to an equally big sand pit. There are also two different childrens parks, an enclosed area for dogs to run around in, cycle paths around the whole path and also a basketball pitch within a concrete circle which also provides seats for spectators. Often roller-hockey is also played here and there is also a fireworks display in novenmer (Guy Fawkes). It is quite a large park but you could walk from the two furthest distances in around 30 minutes or less depending on how fast your walking. There are also loads of green areas for a bit of footie! Overall it's a great park, which looks beautiful in summer and mysterious and intriuging on winter. I definately recommend it!

This is possibly one of the best parks EVER!

It has:

A riverside walk
Football and Rugby pitches
a lake area
Children's playground x 2
beach, boats and paddle area
Cafe
Bird cages
Dog exercise area
A nearby Palace to visit
Garden Centre
Tennis Courts
Cycle lanes
Bowling Club and it forms the walk from Putney Bridge tube to Fulham FC, one of the nicest, atmospheric walks to football in Britian!

Did I leave anything out??