WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF GREEN SPACES, LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUES AND EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, THIS SOUTH-WEST COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO SEDUCE CITY DWELLERS SEEKING A SERENE CAFE CULTURE IN ZONE 2
It doesn’t get more ‘village’ than Fulham, the leafy south-west London enclave with everything on its doorstep.
Young parents pushing buggies are never far from a park in which to picnic, an interiors shop selling wallpaper for the nursery, or an organic cafe. And if life seems too peaceful, you’re only a stroll from neighbouring Chelsea or a few Tube stops from the West End.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Its easy charm conceals a heated property market. “The market has been incredibly buoyant this year, seeing buyers fight it out and go to ‘best and finals’ on properties,” says Andrea Goltz, sales branch manager at KFH.
“Garden flats and turn-key houses remain high in demand and we’re seeing an abundance of cash buyers, keen to invest long term. For example, parents buying rental properties which will later be for the children once they’ve graduated from university.”
Once settled, residents put down roots. “People who fall in love with SW6 rarely fall out of love with it, and this has been the case for decades,” says Barclay Macfarlane, head of Strutt & Parker’s Fulham office.
“You’ll find families who’ve lived here for generations, committed to their locality – be that the Peterborough Estate’s Lion houses (south of New Kings Road) or Alphabet streets (close to Bishops Park), Bury triangle or Munster Village, Hurlingham or Parsons Green – Fulham is a village of villages.”
More recently, sophisticated riverside flats with on-site gyms are luring international and high-net-worth buyers. “The area has experienced a lot of investment and development over the last ten years, which has made it increasingly more visible to the global market,” says Thomas Middleditch, director within prime residential agency at JLL.
A DAY OUT
9AM
Leafy start
Next to the River Thames, commence the day with a trip to Bishop’s Park. The Grade II listed park spans Craven Cottage, home of Fulham Football Club, and the oldest stadium in London. Beyond football, Bishop’s Park which was first opened in 1893, is also home to a sculpture garden, two meadows and an ‘urban-beach’.
11AM
Botanical beauties
The historic home of the bishops of London, Fulham Palace on Bishop’s Avenue, is a local landmark. Immerse yourself in the 13 acres of gardens where horticultural wonders bloom for summer. Regular talks and tours take place here, including the upcoming Floral Foundations talk on 3 August.
1PM
Pub lunch
Affectionately and colloquially nicknamed the ‘Sloaney Pony’ as a hotspot for Sloane Rangers in the eighties and nineties, the White Horse is one of London’s finest pubs. On the corner of Parsons Green, the pub – which dates back to the 1800s – serves up classic British food in a Victorian setting, and has been a long-standing favourite in the community of Parsons Green and beyond.
3PM
Under the hammer
Wander along Lots Road for interior ideas, stopping off at Lots Road Auctions, where weekly auctions take place on Sundays. Get ready to put in your bid for anything from silver and paintings to carpets and designer bags. Further along, you’ll find Ed Butcher, and Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, a showroom destination for Ralph Lauren Home, Andrew Martin and everything in between.
5PM
Knock knock!
Hit Fulham Road for a laidback sundowner. Visit The Little Blue Door. Designed to feel like a dream apartment, share bar food and Hollywood-themed cocktails with friends.
ASK A LOCAL: JULIETTE THOMAS, FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, JULIETTE’S INTERIORS
“Working in Fulham means I’m surrounded by the international design community, which I consider to be the best in the world, offering an incredible selection of interiors.
Nothing’s ever too far away in Fulham, so you can walk everywhere! You can stop by the huge variety of boutique shops, bakeries, and quaint places you don’t discover until you’re on foot.
I live at Chelsea Creek, which is amazing as it’s close to the riverside bars and restaurants where I often go to relax, mostly with friends and the dog. There’s so much variety to choose from here, but some of my favourite spots are Vagabond, Brook House and The Waterside.”
FULHAM: FOOD & DRINK
Walham Grove
Opened in 2009 by director Brett Graham, owner of The Ledbury, Harwood Arms offers award-winning food in a traditional pub setting. It remains the only Michelin-starred pub in London, using British ingredients such as Isle of Wight tomatoes and fresh produce harvested from its rooftop vegetable garden in the summer to create the menu, above.
855 Fulham Road
Voyage east in Fulham with a taste of Thai. Diners here are spoiled for choice, with dishes ranging from classic pad Thai to more adventurous dishes, such as pla yang gang – marinated sea bass in red curry paste, grilled in banana leaves, and gang bhed yang – roasted duck curry with lychee, pineapple and lime leaves.
235 New Kings Road
Overlooking leafy Parsons Green, the aptly named Duke on the Green has stood since 1791. Using seasonal ingredients, diners can expect pub favourites, such as ploughmans and roasts, as well as contemporary pudding twists, such as Yorkshire rhubarb and apple crumble. Look out for special events, such as National Dog Day on 26 August.
58 New King’s Road
With vibrant Japanese dishes full of flavour, Koji is a contemporary take on the cuisine. Serving a selection of sushi and sashimi dishes, diners can find delectable kushiyaki skewers and appetisers such as steak tartare with caviar and octopus carpaccio. Perfect for sharing a bit of everything and a full-on feast with friends.
571 King’s Road
Imbued with Mediterranean style, reflected in both interiors and food, Megan’s is photo ready. Find brunch-perfect dishes here, including Turkish eggs, loaded hash browns and chia & blueberry pancake stack.
For evening sharing snacks, on the menu are the labneh & hummus board, Megan’s feast for two with tabbouleh, pickled red cabbage and fresh green zhug to name just a couple. This dog-friendly restaurant is the welcoming neighbourhood spot you’ve been searching for.
SCHOOLS IN FULHAM
”You can’t underestimate the importance of the excellent schools that are the driving force behind many purchases here,” says Barclay Macfarlane, head of Strutt & Parker’s Fulham office, who recently sold a house to an American family because it was a five-minute walk from the school the children would be attending. The area is stocked with excellent preps, including Kensington Prep for girls on Fulham Road and co-ed Parsons Green Prep on Fulham Park Road. The London Oratory offers a Roman Catholic, state-funded education for boys aged 7-18 and girls at sixth form, while Lady Margaret’s is a Church of England senior school for girls in Parsons Green. Fulham is also a short bus ride from notable senior schools, such as Godolphin & Latymer School for girls in Hammersmith and St Paul’s Girls’ School in Brook Green, while boys head to King’s College School in Wimbledon or St Paul’s in Putney.
FULHAM: ON THE MARKET
ASK AN AGENT: HUW DERWYN JONES, Associate director at John D. Wood.
“The demand for property in Fulham remains consistently high, driven by its attractive combination of community spirit, excellent schools, and location. Property ranges from charming Victorian terraces to modern riverside apartments.
However stock is limited, with a relatively low turnover rate. This scarcity contributes to the competitiveness of the market, often resulting in brisk sales and increased property values. While this can be challenging for buyers, it’s a testament to the area’s enduring appeal.
One-bed flats start at £400k, with a four-bedroom terraced home starting at £1.2m, and going up to £3m-£4m. Buyers are a mix of young professionals, families, and affluent individuals looking to enjoy the best of both worlds: a tranquil village atmosphere with easy access to the heart of London.”
HARWOOD ROAD
Located between Eel Brook Common and Fulham Broadway, this two double-bedroom terraced ground floor flat is an example of ‘best in class’, with plenty of entertaining space and bifolding doors leading out to a private garden. £1.05m
Agent: dexters.co.uk
DELVINO ROAD
Moments from Parsons Green, this Victorian terraced property has been fully refurbished and extended to offer five bedrooms, a 23ft garden and space for all the family. £3.65m
Agent: struttandparker.com
HEATHCOTE ROAD
A modern four-storey townhouse offering five bedrooms and located in a secure gated development south of the New King’s Road and near Hurlingham Park. £1.89m
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