If you’re feeling the pressure to catch up on the myriad brunches and beach trips you’ve missed whilst in lockdown, one London summer pop-up might have the answer. Fulham Beach, the sandy summer hotspot that’s set up at Fulham’s Neverland, is reopening on May 20 this summer, and they’re running a popular bottomless brunch once again!
Whilst the beaches of Ibiza or the Cote d’Azur may be far off, Fulham Beach is nestled alongside the Thames. It spends chilly winters wrapped up warm as Winterland, but soon the sun will be shining, the drinks will be poured, and the beach will be packed out again! The place is covered in white sand as far as the eye as see; in fact, the only things littering the shoreline on this beach are beach huts, day beds, selfie spots, and a bouncing beach bar!
Before arriving at Fulham beach, you’re best advised to book your space in one of three areas: the beach, the pergola, or the veranda. Each of these areas has different tiers, with the first of the pergola’s being completely free, and the beach offering up some bougie seating arrangements.
At the beach, you’ll want to get a group together and book one of these dreamy spots to hang out. If you like the sound of beach bubbles (£35 for eight people), beach huts (£30 for 10 people), beach sofas ($40 per 8-12 people) and Cabañas (£30 for five people)that overlook the beach, then this is the prime sun-soaked (fingers crossed) location for you to sip cocktails in.
Over at the pergola, there’s the free and unreserved section we’ve already mentioned, which gets you access to the Fulham beach area, but won’t get you a sea. But, you can also book a table for 2-16 people for a tenner, or a sofa for up to 10 people (£20). You’ll find these same paid tiers at the veranda area, only with slightly smaller tables on offer.
Fulham beach will also ensure you’re well fed and watered, giving you a spread for the ages that is likely to end up on many an Instagram page. Have a scan of their menu and you’ll see what we mean — I’ve got my eye on the Smoke Stack burger, washed down with a Strangers in Paradise Tiki Cocktail, but you’ll also find everything from half lobsters to jackfruit tacos and from mean mojitos to flutes of champagne.
If the sun shines, you can almost imagine that you’re in Mauritius – you know, if it wasn’t for the filthy waters of the Thames (can’t win ’em all). Still, the tropical spot is as fine a place as any to while away a summer’s day, and don’t forget about the bottomless rosé brunch that’s also on offer in June.
And yes, because this is the UK, everything here is weather-proofed in case the sun doesn’t arrive. It’s no basic beach, you know…
Find Neverland at Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6 2TY. Nearest stations are Putney Bridge and Imperial Wharf. Read all about the beach, which opens on May 20, at their website.
Also published on Medium.
