Fulham is fast becoming one of the most popular hotspots in South West London. This highly sought-after area saw property values boom by 12.4% in the last year, bringing the average price up to £644,588, according to the latest Land Registry figures. In fact, Lambeth is the only borough to beat Hammersmith and Fulham, with a 13.1% annual change. This part of London has seen a dramatic shift in demographic, with previously rundown parts becoming very gentrified. There has also been a rise in the number of affluent professionals and families moving to the area, with many of them employed in the finance, legal and accountancy sectors.
The key factors contributing to Fulham’s popularity include…
Great location
Bordered by the River Thames to the south and Chelsea to the north, Fulham is ideally located for those looking to relax in a residential area with a suburban feel, yet at the same time enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. Close to popular landmarks such as Sloane Square and Knightsbridge, there’s a very relaxed feel here, especially in Parsons Green and Eel Brook Common.
In 2008, the French Lycée opened a primary school in Parsons Green, which has attracted a lot of French buyers as Fulham is an easy commute to South Kensington for older children studying at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that in 2012 Fulham was voted as the UK’s most desirable area by young professionals.
Fascinating history
The name Fulham comes from the word Fulanhamme, which means “the place of fowls/mud”. This is because in the days when the River Thames was full of sewage, it would often flood over the area.
Fulham might now be attracting property buyers from Kensington and Chelsea, but back in the 1700s the well-off flocked to the area to take part in prostitution, gambling and drinking. In fact, Fulham remained a strongly working class area until it underwent regeneration between the end of World War Two and the 1980s.
Transport links
Fulham’s popularity is helped by its good transport links. Nearby District Line Tube stations include Parsons Green, Putney Bridge, Fulham Broadway, West Brompton, West Kensington and Barons Court, while the Piccadilly Line connects Fulham to Heathrow and Central London. At Imperial Wharf Station, you can catch the Central Line to the City and the London Overground to Clapham Junction.
Bus wise, Fulham is well-served, key routes include the 22 to Sloane Square and Piccadilly Circus, 414 to South Kensington and Marble Arch, 430 to South Kensington Station. By bike, there are cycle lanes on New Kings Road, with The Riverside Cycle Path a pleasant leisure ride.
Things to dothings to do in Fulham
Fulham has a wealth of retail opportunities. Homeware shops such as Emma Bridgewater can be found alongside antique, vintage and furniture shops on Lillie Road.
A busy fruit and veg market can also be found on North End Road, while Fulham Broadway shopping centre contains high street names, restaurant chains and cafes, a cinema and health club.
Union Market, a combined farmers’ market, deli, grocers, bakery, wine shop and café, can also be found in the Grade II-listed building that used to house TGI Friday’s on Fulham Broadway.
There are many places to socialise and go out at night, including smart wine bars and nightclubs a short walk from the river. When it comes to restaurants, after being a feature of the Fulham Road scene for over 25 years, the well-known Thai-inspired Blue Elephant moved to nearby Imperial Wharf in 2012 but the Harwood Arms – the first Michelin-starred gastro pub – remains hidden away on Walham Grove. And not far away in Parsons Green is The White Horse pub – one of the best-known pubs in London that locals call The Sloaney Pony.
An even more exclusive evening venue is The Hurlingham Club – a private members’ club next to a polo ground and considered the home of polo which was first played here in 1874. But gaining admission might not be easy because waiting lists are over 10 years long! As an alternative, why not try obtaining tickets for the many concerts held at Fulham Town Hall – grand Edwardian building on Fulham Broadway?
If live sport is your preference, Fulham is home to two two high-profile professional football clubs. Craven Cottage, on the banks of the Thames and next to Bishops Park, is the home of Fulham FC, while Chelsea FC’s home ground of Stamford Bridge can be found just behind Fulham’s Broadway.
Property
The wide, tree-lined roads in Fulham are filled with Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The most popular roads are New King’s Road, Fulham Palace Road and Fulham Road. Between 1890 and 1900, there were also a number of new build homes constructed in the area, to meet larger residential demand. The area was largely untouched until 40 years ago, when demand from professionals for homes in Chelsea and Kensington spread south to Fulham.
Other sought-after areas include the Peterborough Estate, Hurlingham, the Moore Park Estate and the pretty streets around Parsons Green. The Peterborough Estate is characterised by the Lion houses – terraced townhouses each topped by a terracotta lion that represent the cream of Fulham property.
Classic townhouses are also plentiful in the Moore Park Estate, closer to Chelsea. For larger, semi-detached houses, head to Bishops Park and Hurlingham.
For new developments, look to the riverside. In a prime position on one of London’s few remaining stretches of untouched riverfront, 467 apartments, townhouses and penthouses, ranging from one to six bedrooms, have been built in recent years.
Facilities now on offer include a waterfront café, podium gardens, landscaped piazzas, a concierge service and a fitness suite. More than 80 apartments are occupied and being snapped up pretty quickly.
Property in fulham
The wide, tree-lined roads in Fulham are filled with Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The most popular roads are New King’s Road, Fulham Palace Road and Fulham Road. Between 1890 and 1900, there were also a number of new build homes constructed in the area, to meet larger residential demand. The area was largely untouched until 40 years ago, when demand from professionals for homes in Chelsea and Kensington spread south to Fulham.
Other sought-after areas include the Peterborough Estate, Hurlingham, the Moore Park Estate and the pretty streets around Parsons Green. The Peterborough Estate is characterised by the Lion houses – terraced townhouses each topped by a terracotta lion that represent the cream of Fulham property.
Classic townhouses are also plentiful in the Moore Park Estate, closer to Chelsea. For larger, semi-detached houses, head to Bishops Park and Hurlingham.
For new developments, look to the riverside. In a prime position on one of London’s few remaining stretches of untouched riverfront, 467 apartments, townhouses and penthouses, ranging from one to six bedrooms, have been built in recent years.
Facilities now on offer include a waterfront café, podium gardens, landscaped piazzas, a concierge service and a fitness suite. More than 80 apartments are occupied and being snapped up pretty quickly.
Schools
The area’s brilliant selection of schools include The London Oratory School, the state school where former Prime Minister Tony Blair sent his children, the Lady Margaret School – one of the most sought-after state schools in London.
For primary education have a look at All Saints Primary, Melcombe Primary, Orliac Mary (a French primary school) and Fulham Primary. For private, there’s Fulham Pre-School and Thomas’s School.
Click here for more information on local schools in Fulahm.
Parks
Eel Brook Common is found close to Fulham Broadway tube station, with a southern boundary on New Kings Road, Chelsea. The common hosts a circus in early summer and has three other fairs there every year – including Carters Steam Fair.
South Park contains football pitches, netball and basketball courts, tennis courts and there’s also a large children’s playground as well a public cricket pitch, tennis courts, football pitches, netball and basketball courts. In addition there is a large children’s playground.
Finally, there’s Bishops Park, where you can find Fulham Palace, take river walks, as well as play tennis and enjoy lake and playground. The park’s right next to the river near to Putney Bridge and is very attractive and offers a lovely day out for all the family. The park’s a museum and the grounds have been divided into a botanical garden and public allotments.
Interesting local facts
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe was born and bred in Fulham
Monty Python’s The 127th Upper Class Twit of the Year Competition was filmed in Hurlingham Park
In 2012, London’s only urban beach was opened at Bishop’s Park
Fulham Palace
Historic Fulham Palace on Bishop’s Avenue has a wealth of things to see and do, from exploring the museum to eating lunch in the drawing room café that looks out onto the restored 18th century walled garden.
Fulham Palace Facts
Fulham Palace was owned by the Bishops of London for over 1300 years and was their country home from at least the 11th century.
The manor house became known as Fulham Palace because bishops were considered to be ‘princes of the church’. The site was occupied by the Bishops from about 700 until Bishop Stopford retired in 1975.
There is evidence of much earlier occupation of the site. Excavations by Fulham Archaeological Rescue Group have revealed Neolithic (3000BC), Iron Age (800BC-43AD) and Roman (200AD-500AD) artefacts.
The gardens of Fulham Palace were enclosed by the longest moat in England until 1924 when it was filled in.
The first British-grown examples of Tamarisk, Acacia, Mahogany and Maple trees were all grown in the gardens of Fulham Palace by Bishop Henry Compton.
