Bishops Park

• Enjoy the peaceful riverside surroundings of Bishops Park in West London.
• Get involved with some of the sporting activities on offer at the park, such as tennis and basketball.
• Look out for the events that take place in the park, including Bonfire Night fireworks and the University Boat Race.
• Discover the rich history of the area, which is home to the historic All Saints Church and Fulham Palace.

Nestled along the banks of the River Thames in West London, Bishops Park is a lovely place to spend a day, with tons for families to do. The park’s sporting heritage - it’s right next door to Premier League side Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage stadium and just a short walk from Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge - is reflected in the wide range of sports activities on offer for kids and families.

There are plenty of different sports that you can get involved with at Bishops Park, Fulham. There are tennis courts, basketball nets, a skateboarding bowl, table tennis tables, and a bowling green. Most of these activities are free for kids to turn up and play. However, if you want to book tennis courts in Fulham, you should book a court online to make sure you can get a space to play.

There are two children’s play areas in the park. The larger of the two is aimed at older kids and includes swings, slides, and climbing equipment. The smaller kids’ play park was made especially for toddlers and has plenty of age-appropriate equipment to explore. There’s also a paddling pool and waterplay area, which is great fun for kids in the summertime.

The park is home to a number of interesting natural features. Relax on one of the only urban beaches in London at Bishops Park, or enjoy the peaceful setting of the ornamental lake. Of course, the riverwalk that snakes along the Thames is also a big draw. Even though you’re in a pretty central area of London, the lovely natural surroundings of Bishops Park can make you feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside.

As well as all the great sport and leisure activities on offer at the park, Bishops Park is also home to important art and memorials. The sculpture garden at Bishops Park is home to five sculptures by artists James Wedgwood and Joseph Hermon Cawthra. There’s also a war memorial to the International Brigade, a group who fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War, some of whom were local to the area.

The park also plays host to some important events throughout the year. The Bishops Park fireworks take place every November around Bonfire Night, and are a big attraction for the local community. In the spring, the park is also a great place to watch the Oxford-Cambridge boat race, where rowing teams from the two universities compete on the Thames. With its riverside views, the park gives fantastic views as the two teams come down this stretch of the river.

There’s also a rich history to the park. All Saints Church, which can be found at the southern edge of the park, has parts that are around 600 years old. You can also visit Fulham Palace, which was the home of the Bishop of London for many centuries. Today, it’s a historic building with an interesting botanic garden, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It's just a stone's throw from brilliant museums, including the National Army Museum and the Saatchi Gallery.

What to know before you go

• Bishops Park opens at dawn throughout the year. Closing times vary with the seasons, and are generally around dusk for that time of year. 
• If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat during your visit, the Bishops Park café is the place for you. This café is located near the children’s play areas and serves sandwiches, snacks, cakes, and drinks. 
• There are public toilets in the park. Unfortunately, they do not have baby-changing facilities.
• The park is accessible for wheelchair users and parents with buggies. There are wide paths throughout the park.
• Fulham FC play their home matches at nearby Craven Cottage, and the park can get busy on match days. These are usually every other Saturday, excluding in the summer, but can be other days of the week too. If you want to visit the park when it’s quieter, check the club’s website to make sure your trip isn’t on a match day. 

Getting there

• Bishops Park is about a half-hour drive from central London.
• Pay-and-display parking can be found on nearby streets, including Stevenage Road, Bishops Park Road, and Bishops Avenue. On match days, this parking is limited to one hour between 9am and 9:30pm.
• The park is easily accessible by public transport. Putney Bridge Tube station is on the District line and is an eight-minute walk away from the park. Putney railway station is a 15-minute walk away.
• There are plenty of bus routes that have stops just a few minutes’ walk away from the entrance of the park. These buses include the 74, 85, 93, 220, 265, and 430.