Historical version 9 of Locale Acton (view current version)
- Postal District: W3
- Local Government authority: [London Borough of Ealing]?
Acton comes from the Anglo-Saxon, meaning Oak Town. Acton was a village before the urban sprawl of the early twentieth century, when many people including property developers and builders moved into the area.
What Acton is famous for
- Soapsud Island
In the 1920s, Acton became famous for being a centre for launderies. This provided employment for the area, later to be supplanted and replaced by engineering firms.
- Site of an aerodrome
What is currently the Park Royal leisure complex (aka [Acton Park Warner Village]?), and the Concorde Way industrial park, was a very important air field in WWII.
- BBC people
Being situated midway between Ealing studios, and Shepherd's Bush, many BBC types lived (and still do live) in Acton.
Also, Acton has been used as a film shoot location for Minder, Only Fools and Horses, Eastenders and Monty Python.
Stations
There are four tube stations and three surface stations with Acton in the name:
- North Acton, East Acton, West Acton - Central line
- Acton Town - Piccadilly and District lines
- Acton Central, South Acton - Silverlink North London line
- Acton Mainline - [Thames Trains]? service to Paddington and Ealing Broadway
Pubs
Acton has many pubs, but very few good pubs.
Recommendations: --IvorW
- The King's Head - Fullers
- The Red Lion and Pineapple - Wetherspoons
For More Information
See AJK's site which has photographs and information on the history of Acton
Neighbouring locales: Ealing / Park Royal / Shepherd's Bush / [Harlesden]? / Chiswick / Hammersmith