Museum of Fulham Palace - The Victoria and Albert Museum

Museum of Fulham Palace
Fulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue SW6. (Map Ref 1.)
The Museum of Fulham Palace does not stand out very significantly in Fulham. It is hidden away in Bishop's Park, and is probably the least known site to visit in London. Not many people know about it, and in order to visit the museum you would have to do some fairly extensive research on the Fulham area. Fulham Palace is like a sleeping giant - it shies away from the hubbub of the crowds, and reposes in a very unassuming manner at the back of this relatively small park. It even boasts that it is London's best kept secret.

In fact, once you have found Fulham Palace, it opens out quite dramatically. The museum is represented by a series of very white brick buildings, which look precisely like stately homes, whilst the rooms inside are ornate, cultured, and very spacious. Some beautiful gardens, including an ancient little herb garden, surround the buildings, and provide you with a perfect opportunity to relax on a fine summer's afternoon.

The Fulham Palace possessed one of the largest moats in England once, but has, unfortunately, been filled in since. It was also privileged enough to have had all the Bishops of London in residence for 1000 years, from 704 to 1973. The minuscule Gothic chapel on the grounds is well worth a look and the stunning courtyard, which is one of Fulham Palace's oldest sections, is a treat to behold. The tours of the Fulham Palace take in the gardens, the chapel, and just five of the rooms in the Palace, which are concerned with the long history of the building and a slightly random collection of weird and wonderful archaeological finds. The Fulham Palace does not take your breath away, it is just a pleasant excursion into the heart of the Bishop's Park, and might just be a nice place to take your old grandmother. You can contact them for more information on 0207 736 3233.
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Victoria and Albert Museum
The National Museum of Art and Design
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL.
The V&A holds one of the world's most comprehensive and magnificent collections of decorative arts. A pioneer of its time, the Museum was founded in 1852 to support and encourage excellence in art and design.

Today, 146 galleries contain unrivalled collections dating form 3000 BC to the present day. Furniture, fashion, textiles, paintings, silver, glass, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, books, prints and photographs illustrate the artistic life of many different cultures from around the world.

The Museum's magnificent Victorian and Edwardian building also contain the National Library and some of Britain's best national collections including sculpture, glass, watercolours and the art of photography.

Superb highlights for any visit should include: The Museum's collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture, the largest outside Italy; paintings and drawings by 19th century artist John Constable; the sparkling Glass Gallery; and the Dress Gallery, covering over four hundred years of fashion from the mid-16th century to the present day.

Telephone: 020 7942 2000.

www.vam.ac.uk

V&A Opening Hours
10.00 - 17.45 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday,
10.00 - 22.00 Wednesday
10.00 - 22.00 Friday Late View (monthly)
Open every day except 24-26 December

Museum Admission
Full £5
Entry is free daily after 16.30
Admission is free for those under 18, full-time students, senior citizens, pre-booked educational groups, disabled and up to two carers, ES40 holders, NACF/ICOM/Museum Association card holders, V&A Friends, Patrons, American and International Friends and season ticket holders.

How to reach the V&A
Underground Station: South Kensington
Buses: C1, 14 and 74 stop outside the Cromwell Road entrance.

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