What you need to know about Fulham
Positioned towards the southern part of the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the district of Fulham occupies a sought-after location close to the River Thames alongside the areas of Parsons Green, Walham Green, and Hurlingham.
In 2020, average house prices in the district of Fulham were £1,187,400, which is slightly above the £1,045,277 average across the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Fulham is notably more expensive than White City, which is situated at the top of the borough, where the average property fetched £675,306. However, property in Fulham is more affordable than in nearby Walham Green where average property prices sit at £1,859,898.
Most properties sold in Fulham in 2020 were flats, which reached £881,037 on average. Terraced properties fetched £1,623,533 on average, while the average semi-detached property sold for £2,005,000. When compared to 2019, sold prices in Fulham were up by 10%. Sold prices have also exceeded the 2016 peak by 13%.
What is living in Fulham like?
For the first part of the 20th century, Fulham and its surrounding areas were a distinctly working class part of the borough, but that isn't to say that it doesn't also have its fair share of grand and interesting architecture. For example, the grounds of Fulham Palace have been transformed into a park with a stunning kitchen garden and public allotments. Fulham Pottery is home to an impressive conical kiln, the area around Broomhouse Lane contains myriad intriguing structures, some of which date back to medieval times, and the New King's Road contains multiple Grade II listed 18th and 19th century residences.
A period of gentrification occurred in the 1980s and although some of Fulham's creative connections were erased, the district has managed to retain its cosmopolitan feel as it developed into a laid-back area despite being so close to the hustle and bustle of central London.
From marvelling at St Thomas of Canterbury Church to taking in a show or exhibition at Riverside Studios arts centre, there is always something to do in Fulham. Both Fulham Football Club and Chelsea Football Club play in the district, which is likely to be good news for football fans. Fulham is also known for being home to several other sporting clubs, including the Queen's tennis club and the Hurlingham Club which is renowned for hosting polo events.
Its excellent location means that Fulham is an attractive prospect for a variety of people, including young families and professionals wanting a relatively easy commute to work. There is also a variety of property available, from Edwardian and Victorian houses to contemporary developments with stunning river views situated close to Imperial Wharf.
Living in Fulham pros and cons
Pro: Plenty of opportunities to be active
From the annual pre-Wimbledon Queen's tennis tournament to football matches at Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge, Fulham has strong sporting connections. In addition to benefiting from public tennis courts, rugby matches take place on nearby Eel Brook Common and the exclusive Hurlingham Club is set within an impressive 42-acres of beautiful grounds. The area also benefits from several gyms and swimming pools, as well as numerous Bowls clubs.
South Park, Fulham Palace Gardens, Bishop's Park and Hurlingham Park are also located within the district, offering residents the chance to enjoy everything from children's playgrounds to netball courts, cricket pitches, and more.
Con: Affected by the ULEZ zone
As Fulham occupies a central location, it is affected by the ULEZ scheme which aims to reduce air pollution in the city. All vehicles that do not adhere to the scheme's strict emissions standards are subject to a daily charge which currently sits at £12.50 per day.
Pro: Strong transport links
With easy access to several tube stations including Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway, Putney Bridge, Baron's Court, and West Kensington, Fulham's transport links are among the best in London. As Fulham is situated on the District Line, it is possible to be in Central London within 20 minutes. The Piccadilly line is also easily accessible, offering connections to Heathrow airport. Additionally, the London Overground runs through nearby West Brompton and facilitates easy travel to the likes of Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction.
Fulham also benefits from its proximity to a selection of trunk roads, including the A4 which offers connections to Heathrow airport, the A219 which connects Wimbledon with Harlesden, and the A217 which runs north-south from the New King's Road to Cheam in the borough of Sutton.
Pro: Vibrant dining scene
More than 200 restaurants grace Fulham's streets, two of which have even secured coveted Michelin stars. From welcoming pubs serving hearty food to eateries overlooking the River Thames, it's safe to say that you aren't going to run out of places to dine out in the area. You'll also find a plethora of daytime brunch spots offering al fresco seating on many of the area's leafy suburban streets.
Pro: Excellent schools
One of the reasons that Fulham is a preferred area for young families is the selection of high-quality schools within easy reach. From notable independent offerings such as the London Oratory and Fulham Prep School to 'Outstanding' Ofsted rated state schools including the Chelsea Academy and Langford Primary, education provision in Fulham places the borough in the top 20 performing areas in the UK for GCSE performance.
Is Fulham a safe place to live?
Between January 2020 and December 2021, there were 2,035 offences reported in the Fulham Town area. More than a quarter of these crimes were categorised as theft, with a further 476 incidents of violent crime and 303 vehicle offences.
After initially falling between January 2020 and April 2020, crime in Fulham started to rise, with 53 crimes reported in April 2020 and 110 offences reported in September 2021. Since this peak, crime in the area has fallen again, with just 65 cases recorded in December 2021.
In November 2021, there were 17 cases of miscellaneous theft and most of these incidents occurred in the area around Fulham Broadway station. The area also saw 15 cases of harassment, with many of these crimes also taking place in the surrounding areas of the tube station.
Which celebrities live in Fulham?
An array of notable residents have strolled the streets of Fulham over the decades, including Sir William Butts who was King Henry VIII's personal physician. The royal connections don't end there, as Nell Gwyn who was Charles II of England's companion also lived in the area.
In recent years, journalist Janet Street Porter, actor Daniel Radcliffe, and athlete Linford Christie have all spent some time living in Fulham. Rapper and songwriter Example, musician Elvis Costello, singer Olly Murs, journalist Sophie Rayworth, model David Gandy, and comedian Andy Hamilton have also opted to set up home in Fulham.
Things to consider when moving to Fulham
Fulham has built a reputation for providing residents with a chance to get away from the always on-the-go atmosphere that can be found across much of central London. This makes the area ideal for everyone who wants to stay in the city but would also like to enjoy a slightly slower pace of life.
Many of Fulham's larger Victorian and Edwardian properties have been sympathetically converted into maisonettes and flats, which means that the market often has a range of options across a wide selection of price points. Fulham's popularity does mean that the market typically moves quickly and is highly competitive, which is something to be aware of.