Fulham in London

Fulham Palace is the former summer home of the Bishops of London for centuries. A.D.704 to 1973, to be exact. While bishops throughout the centuries decorated parts of the palace in their own unique styles, some of the building dating from the 1500's remains exactly the way it was originally. Once having the largest moat in Britian, the brick building in a Tudor and Gregorian style architecture's "latest addition" was in 1866. Twice a month on Sundays in the Summer you may tour the Palace, and in the winter make plans well beforehand, because tours are only held once a month during the coldest time of the year. They start in the Tudor courtyard and last approximately an hour. If you like history, it is well worth the trip; the oldest room in the place (the Great Hall) dates back to 1480, and the dining room features a Palladian ceiling. Bishop's Park, the grounds on which the palace stands, has over 12 acres of gardens which became famous in the late 16th century with Bishop Compton's decision to import rare species and uses a color coded map to show visitors how each Bishop renovated some of the rooms during his stay. West of the Putney Bridge you can see where the city's annual Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race starts.