Fulham Palace was the country retreat of the Bishops of London for centuries, though it now sits firmly inside the built-up city. The house, museum, and grounds trace a long history from medieval church power to botanical collecting, with Bishop Henry Compton's North American plants among the more unusual stories.
The gardens and Bishop's Park make it an easy place to slow down near the Thames. It is not one of London's headline sights, but it is a rewarding detour if you like historic houses without the crowds.