A look inside Fulham Pier – SW6’s swish new riverside destination 

In a city revered for its dynamic cultural hubs, it’s not easy for a football stadium to turn heads. Yet, in a leafy stretch of west London, sandwiched between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge, Fulham Pier is doing just that. Spearheaded by Fulham Football Club’s owner Shahid Khan, the multi-million-pound project has taken over a decade to complete, and – just weeks after its opening in June – has already received rave reviews from locals, fans and tourists alike. 

Arriving on a balmy afternoon, joggers criss-cross with rowers gliding along the Thames, while a buzzy crowd of well-heeled local couples and hip urbanites drape themselves over striped blue deckchairs. Here, on the previously inaccessible riverside walkway beneath the ship-like steel trusses and surrounded by striking artwork by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, the sheer scale of the project comes to light.  

What is Fulham Pier? 

Fulham Pier is a year-round riverside destination adjacent to London’s oldest professional football stadium – Craven Cottage – featuring a buzzy food hall, private members’ club, various events spaces and a stylish restaurant. It's also set to launch a luxury boutique hotel and spa with thermal zones and a rooftop pool later this year.

The Riverside Market  

The Riverside Market sprawls across the ground floor of the pier, housing 10 independent food and drink vendors – seven of which hail from the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham – many of them making their bricks-and-mortar debut. Among them, hip-hop artist Tinie Tempah’s chicken joint Raps serves wings, tenders and mouthwatering wraps, while Fat Pickle Burgers plates up American-Style smashburgers and truffle fries. Other highlights include thin-crust pizzas courtesy of Slice & Dice, flavour-packed Indian dishes from Goila Butter Chicken and expertly brewed coffee at Kiss the Hippo. 

The space has been imagined by global design firm Populous who have scaled some of the biggest sports and entertainment venues in London including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and The O2, as well as further afield destinations like the boundary-breaking Sphere in Las Vegas. Despite its proximity to the pitch, there is little trace of the club, with minimalist interiors such as hanging plants, concrete floors and statement mosaics inspired by Fulham’s rich pottery history, complemented by natural light pouring in from floor-to-ceiling windows with glorious views of the Thames and nearby sailing clubs.

100 Found Objects: Yinka Ilori’s vibrant celebration of Fulham’s heritage  

Outside, a striking large-scale artwork by era-defining British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori spans the length of the pier, decorating the building’s exterior and the glass balustrades framing the boardwalk. The piece – titled 100 Found Objects – celebrates the cultural fabric of Fulham, showcasing objects found by local mudlarks and colourful botanical motifs of flora and fauna native to the area. The beauty of the artwork lies in the lenticular panels, which cause it to shift and move with the viewer’s perspective when viewed from different angles. It’s a riot of colour and texture, with unearthed objects including pipes, jugs and intricate ceramic pieces, and plants like blue passionflowers, cotton plants and okra plants. 

Cutting-edge art and an innovative events calendar  

The event calendar here is impressive, with free riverside DJ nights every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Pilates classes, a weekly run club and sports screenings. Other highlights include thrilling activities for little ones like face painting and storytelling. It’s the small touches that make this a standout community hub with postcards outlining upcoming events and colourful scavenger sheets for kids to get stuck into. 

Beneath the food hall and below river level, purpose-built entertainment venue the Orange Box (a nod to the original nickname of Craven Cottage) is equipped with retractable seating and two fully serviced bars. Since opening, it’s already hosted an eclectic mix of events including comedy nights, breathwork workshops and salsa sessions. Meanwhile, a roller disco and music quiz is set to take place later this month.

Brasserie Constance  

Above the food hall, modern British restaurant Brasserie Constance pays homage to trailblazing florist and chef Constance Spry, known for her work at nearby Fulham Pottery – including providing the flowers for Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding. Interiors have been carefully curated by Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán to bring Spry’s legacy to life through earth tones and elevated materials. From hand-painted floral ceilings, vibrant textiles woven into wooden walls and lava-like pendant lights, to eye-popping ceramics from five female ceramists commissioned through the Crafts Council such as hand thrown porcelain table vases and ceramic coat tags.  

As for the food, celebrated chef Adam Byatt (of Michelin-starred Trinity, Wildflowers, Bistro Union) and head chef Charlie Crote showcase a seasonal menu with comforting plates like roasted cod with leeks and shrimp butter, and oysters served with cold apple cider mignonette. The real draw here is the river-facing terrace with showstopping sunset views that pair nicely with the playful cocktail menu. We loved the strawberry & rose spritz, though the signature negroni is worth ordering for the ceramic jug it arrives in – think a petite white vessel etched with vintage hot water bottle markings. 

While each space at Fulham Pier offers its own distinct character, it’s clear that locality weaves them all together, with the river flowing just beyond. 

Find out what’s on soon and discover more at Fulham Pier.