Hotels in Fulham

Posh-as-you-like Fulham’s parliamentary constituency is about to be moved from the district of Hammersmith & Fulham to the district of Chelsea & Fulham, which says all you need to know about the rampant gentrification of this formerly working class area of west London.

Bordering the Thames just west of Chelsea, it’s a truly lov ely place with grand white residences and an aristocratic air winding down to one of the nicest stretches of the riverside.

The King’s Road – the centre of Swinging London in the 60s, now home to hundreds of designer boutiques and exclusive restaurants – stretches through the area, and Fulham Road next to Fulham Broadway Underground station (District Line, Wimbledon branch) has its own fair share of mainstream shopping outlets and a Vue cinema multiplex (Fulham Broadway Retail Centre, 0871 224 0240, www.myvue.com).

Fright film fans shouldn’t miss All Saint’s Church (Putney Bridge Approach, www.allsaints-fulham.org.uk) as featured in The Omen – it’s a beautiful place whatever the weather, with its riverside setting and regular music recitals.

Bishop’s and Hurlingham Parks are also on the waterfront, and are a real treat if you are lucky enough to enjoy London in good weather.

Football fans will love the fact that there’s two Premier League teams in Fulham’s boundaries: the noveau riche duo of nearly men Chelsea (Stamford Bridge, www.chelseafc.com) and friendly Fulham (Craven Cottage, www.fulhamfc.com). If Chelsea, with Roman Abramovich’s billions, vastly-paid superstars and their own leisure complex sum up everything that’s wrong with the modern game, Fulham FC are a real blast from the past. Though Harrods head honcho Mohammed al-Fayed bankrolls the side (he still does a lap of honour before many home games) there’s few grounds as lovely as Craven Cottage with its riverside setting, traditional home comforts, great catering and very sporting atmosphere – there can’t be many grounds in world football sporting an unsegregated neutral end. The ease of getting tickets means Fulham have been adopted by many of the city’s international visitors, and there’s no more welcoming place to watch top flight footy in the capital.

Staying close to this area the Cranley Hotel is perfectly positioned being close to the Kings Road and South Kensington.

Fulham Broadway Underground station (District Line, Wimbledon branch) Parsons Green, West Brompton and Putney Bridge Underground stations are all nearby, and on the same branch of the District Line.