Content deleted Content added
No edit summary |
Sciencefish (talk | contribs) →Notable people: rm Bill Owen (actor),per article, born in Acton Green |
||
| (977 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{Short description|Town in Greater London, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
|official_name= Acton
|static_image_name = Actontownhall2.jpg
|static_image_caption=[[Acton Town Hall]], built for [[Municipal Borough of Acton|Acton Urban District]] and opened 10 March 1910
|
|
|
|london_borough1 = Hammersmith and Fulham
|constituency_westminster= [[Ealing Central and Acton (UK Parliament constituency)|Ealing Central and Acton]]
|post_town= LONDON
|postcode_area= W
|postcode_district= W3, W4, W12
|postcode_area1= NW
|postcode_district1= NW10
|dial_code= 020
|population=62,480
|population_ref=<ref name=ons>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |date=11 February 2003 }} [[United Kingdom Census 2011]] ''[[Office for National Statistics]]'' Retrieved 31 October 2014</ref>
|area_total_km2=9.20
|os_grid_reference= TQ205805
|coordinates = {{coord|51.513519|-0.270661|display=inline,title}}
|charingX_distance_mi= 6.1
|charingX_direction= W
}}
'''Acton''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|k|t|ə|n|}}) is a town in [[West London]], England, within the [[London Borough of Ealing]]. It is {{convert|6.1|mi|km|0}} west of [[Charing Cross]].
At the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]], its four [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]], East Acton, Acton Central, South Acton and Southfield, had a population of 62,480, a ten-year increase of 8,791 people.<ref name=ons1>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk "Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |date=11 February 2003 }}. ''[[United Kingdom Census 2011]]''. [[Office for National Statistics]]. Retrieved 31 October 2014.</ref> [[North Acton]], [[West Acton]], [[East Acton]], [[South Acton, London|South Acton]], [[Acton Green, London|Acton Green]], [[Acton Town]], [[Acton Vale, London|Acton Vale]] and [[Acton Central]] are all parts of Acton.
Acton means "oak farm" or "farm by oak trees", and is derived from the [[Old English]] ''āc'' (oak) and ''tūn'' (farm).<ref name="Mills1">{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of London Place-Names|first=A.D.|last=Mills|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|isbn=9780199566785|page=2}}</ref><ref name=growth/> Originally an ancient village, as London expanded, Acton was absorbed into the city. Since 1965, Acton equates to the east of the [[London Borough of Ealing]], though some of East Acton is in the [[London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]] and a small portion of South Acton is in the [[London Borough of Hounslow]].
Central Acton is synonymous with the hub of commerce and retail on the former main road between London and [[Oxford]] ([[Uxbridge Road|the Uxbridge Road]]); a reminder of its history is in its inns, which in some cases date back to the late [[Tudor period]] as stopping places for travellers. Nowadays, the principal route linking London and [[Oxford]] (the [[A40 road|A40]] dual carriageway) bypasses central Acton, but passes through East Acton and North Acton.
==Toponymy==
Acton's name derives from the [[Old English]] words ''āc'' (oak) and ''tūn'' (enclosed garden, enclosure), meaning "a garden or a field enclosed by oaks". Later, in the Middle Ages ''tūn'' became a synonym for "farm" or "farm by oak trees". For several centuries, its name bore the prefix ''Church'' (hence ''Chirche Acton'', ''Churche Acton'', etc.) to distinguish it from the separate hamlet of East Acton.<ref name="Mills1"/>
==History==
===Origins===
[[File:Stmarysacton2.jpg|thumb|[[St Mary's Church, Acton, London|St Mary's Church]], King Street, Acton Central]]
Different phases of prehistoric settlement are marked by a range of finds. It begins with a cluster of [[Upper Palaeolithic]] and [[Mesolithic]] flint cores,<ref name="AGL">{{Cite web |title=Evidence of Ancient Humans |url=https://www.mola.org.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/The%20archaeology%20of%20Greater%20London%20an%20assessment%20of%20archaeological%20evidence%20for%20human%20presence%20in%20the%20area%20now%20covered%20by%20Greater%20London_Part1.pdf |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=www.mola.org.uk}}</ref> flakes<ref name="AGL" /> and artefacts<ref name="AGL" /> mainly to the north of [[Churchfield Road]]. Around the Mill Hill Park area, a [[Neolithic]] axe,<ref name="AGL" /> and a group of [[Bronze Age]] [[Deverel-Rimbury]] urns and cremated bone<ref name="AGL" /> were found, along with an [[Iron Age]] pot shard.<ref name="AGL" /> [[Iron Age]] coins were also found near [[Bollo Lane]]. The [[Roman Britain|Roman]] period is represented by a ditch<ref name="AGL" /> in the same area, and a hoard<ref name="AGL" /> north of Springfield Gardens. In the Middle Ages the northern half of the parish was heavily wooded. Oaks and elms still stood along roads and hedgerows and in private grounds in the early 20th century, but most of the woodland had been cleared by the 17th century, even on the extensive Old Oak common.<ref name=growth>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22546|title=Acton: Growth|editor1=T F T Baker |editor2= C R Elrington |author1=Diane K Bolton |author2=Patricia E C Croot |author3=M A Hicks|publisher=Institute of Historical Research|date=1982|work=A History of the County of Middlesex |volume=7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden|access-date=5 November 2014}}</ref>
===Medieval era===
Landholders figuring in county records were resident by 1222 and houses were recorded from the late 13th century. The main settlement, Church Acton or Acton town, lay slightly west of the centre of the parish along the highway to Oxford (Uxbridge Road) at the 5-mile post out of London. By 1380 some of the tenements, such as ''The Tabard'' and ''The Cock'', along the south side of the road, were inns. The hamlet of East Acton, mentioned in 1294, consisted of farmhouses and cottages north and south of common land known as East Acton green by 1474.<ref name=growth/>
Medieval settlement was mainly around the two hamlets. At Church Acton most of the farmhouses lay along the Oxford road or Horn Lane, with only a few outlying farms. Friars Place Farm at the north end of Horn Lane and the moated site to the west, occupied until the 15th century, were early farms. East of Friars Place farm were commons: Worton or Watton Green and Rush green in the 16th and 17th centuries, and Friars Place in the 18th century, where there was some settlement by 1664. To the north-west were Acton or Old Oak wells, known by 1613. In the parish's extreme south, a few farmhouses on the northern side of Acton common or Acton Green were mentioned as in Turnham Green until the 19th century and were linked more closely with that village than with Acton. ''Gregories'', mentioned in 1551 as a copyhold tenement with 30 a. near Bollo Lane and the Brentford high road, probably lay in Acton.<ref name=growth/>
Londoners were increasingly involved in land sales from the early 14th century but apparently did not live in Acton until the late 15th. The [[Manorialism|manor]], part of Fulham, had no [[demesne|resident (demesne) lord]], and apart from a brief period before {{Circa|1735}}, when a branch of the landed [[Duke of Beaufort|Somerset (Duke of Beaufort's) family]] lived in Acton, there were no large resident landowners. Many of the tenements without land, including most of the inns, frequently changed hands.<ref name=growth/>
===Early modern period===
The parish had 158 [[Holy Communion|communicants]] in 1548. In 1664 it had 72 chargeable households and 59 exempt, with 6 empty houses. Six houses had 10 or more hearths, 16 had from 5 to 9, 33 had 3 or 4, 23 had 2, and 53 had 1. Acton had about 160 families resident in the mid 18th century.<ref name=growth/>
By the 17th century Acton's proximity to London had made it a summer retreat for courtiers and lawyers. Sir [[Richard Sutton (MP, died 1634)|Richard Sutton]] bought the seat at East Acton known later as Manor House in 1610 and Sir [[Henry Garraway]] probably rebuilt Acton House in 1638. Sir [[John Trevor (1596–1673)|John Trevor]] MP bought several Acton properties in the mid 17th century, including Berrymead/Berrymede, improving it with a lake and stream, home of [[George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax]] and his second son after him, and afterwards of the [[Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull]], with a much-praised landscape.<ref name=growth/>
Acton was lauded as "blessed with very sweet air" in 1706 by rector urging a friend in verse to move there. The fashion for medicinal waters brought a brief period of fame, with the exploitation of the wells at Old Oak common, when East Acton and Friars Place were said to be thronged with summer visitors, who had brought about improvement in the houses there. Although high society had left Acton by the mid 18th century, many professional and military men bought houses there, sometimes including a small park, until well into the 19th century. The break-up of the {{convert|800|acres|km2}} Fetherstonhaugh estate, which had had no resident owner, produced four or five small estates whose owners, professional men such as Samuel Wegg, John Winter, and Richard White, were active in parish affairs. Grand early homes included: Heathfield Lodge, West Lodge, and East Lodge by Winter c. 1800, Mill Hill House by White, and Woodlands at Acton Hill soon afterwards. [[Acton Green, London|Acton Green]] also became increasingly popular, being near [[Chiswick High Road]] (the Great West Road). Fairlawn, substantial, on west side of the green, was the home of the botanist [[John Lindley]] (1797–1865) as was the house to the north and Bedford House, another home of Lindley, and Melbourne House further east. A short row of houses had been built on the south side of the green by 1800.<ref name=growth/>
In 1804, Derwentwater House was built in the grounds of Acton House by the Selby family.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
===19th century development===
[[File:Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' Alms Houses, Acton.jpg|thumb|Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' Alms Houses, Acton, 1812.]]
In 1812, twenty [[almshouses]] were built by the [[Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths]] on the former Perryn estate, on land which had been left to the company by [[John Perryn]] in 1657.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=History of the Company |url=https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/company/history/history-of-the-company/ |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=The Goldsmiths' Company |language=en |archive-date=12 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112192938/https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/company/history/history-of-the-company/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
There were 241 inhabited houses in 1801 and 426 by 1831. Growth took place mainly in the established residential neighbourhoods of Acton town and East Acton, but Acton Green also had acquired a cluster of cottages and houses at the bottom of Acton Lane by 1842. Acton was mostly rural in 1831. The few mansions contrasted sharply with most of the houses, which were described as 'beneath mediocrity of character'. Despite an overall rise in the number of houses, poor rates had to be increased in the 1820s because of a growing number of empty dwellings.<ref name=growth/>
More widespread building [[urban planning|was planned]] and took place in the 1850s. As a result of its soft water sources, Acton became famous for its laundries and at the end of the 19th century there were around 170 establishments in South Acton. These laundries would serve hotels and the rich in London's West End, leading to the nickname "Soapsuds Island" or "Soap Sud City". At least 600 different laundries operated within South Acton,<ref>{{cite web |title=Acton History |url=http://www.actonhistory.co.uk/acton/page10.html |website=www.actonhistory.co.uk |access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> the last laundry closed in the late 1970s and is now a low redbrick block of flats.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
The parish of Acton formed a [[local board of health]] in 1865 and became an [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban district]] in 1894.
In 1895, [[Acton Cemetery]] was opened on farmland near to what is now North Acton Station.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Meller |first1=Hugh |last2=Parsons |first2=Brian |title=London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer |date=2008 |publisher=Sutton |isbn=9780750946223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HTKLJQAACAAJ |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref>
===20th century===
The town was incorporated as the [[Municipal Borough of Acton]] in 1921. This authority combined with the [[municipal boroughs]] of [[Municipal Borough of Ealing|Ealing]] and [[Municipal Borough of Southall|Southall]] to form the London Borough of Ealing, within [[Greater London]], in 1965.<ref name=growth/> An Acton Golf Club was founded in 1896, which closed in 1920 and the area was redeveloped for housing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=750|title=Golfs Missing Links|website=www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk}}</ref>
[[Municipal Borough of Acton|Acton]] formed an urban district and, later, municipal borough of [[Middlesex]] from 1894 to 1965. Its former area was used to form part of the London Borough of Ealing in 1965. The industries of North Acton merged with the great industrial concentrations of [[Park Royal]] and [[Harlesden]]. During the 20th century Acton was a major industrial centre employing tens of thousands of people, particularly in the motor vehicles and components industries. These included car manufacturer [[Renault]], that built the [[Renault 4CV|4CV]] and [[Renault Dauphine|Dauphine]], at a factory in North Acton from 1926 until 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://londonist.com/2015/11/london-made-motors|title=London's Lost Manufacturing - We Were Once The British Detroit|date=17 November 2015|publisher=Londonist|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> Renault has remained on the site continuously since the 1920s and still has its main London showroom on the Park Royal site.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} [[Alfred Mond]] built a [[nickel carbonyl]] refinery here that was able to produce [[platinum]] as a by-product of the matte from [[Inco]]'s [[Sudbury Basin]] operations.<ref name="thompson60">{{cite book |last1=Thompson |first1=John Fairfield |last2=Beasley |first2=Norman |title=For the Years to Come: A Story of International Nickel of Canada |date=1960 |publisher=Longmans, Green & Co |___location=Toronto}}</ref>
Further south [[Acton Vale, London|Acton Vale]] had manufacturers including [[Napier & Son]] (engines), H. Bronnley & Co (Soaps), Evershed & Vignoles (electrical equipment), [[Lucas Industries#CAV|Lucas CAV]] (automotive electrical), [[Tony Vandervell|Vandervell Products]] (bearings), and [[Wilkinson Sword]] (swords and razors).{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
==Acton today==
Acton is now principally residential, with some light industry, particularly in the northeast Park Royal area, and the south near the border with Chiswick. [[Waitrose]] was founded on Acton High Street near the police station, as Waite, Rose and Taylor, with its second shop opening in [[Churchfield Road]] in 1913.<ref>Waitrose: seeking to attain perfection by Janet Appleyard-Hobbs 2009 Acton History Society</ref>
[[File:South acton harlech corfe beumaris.JPG|thumb|The South Acton estate]]
Acton has the largest housing estate in west London, the South Acton estate, with approximately 2,000 homes and 5,800 residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sarag.org|title=South Acton Residents Action Group|publisher=Sarag.org|access-date=28 July 2013}}</ref>
This area is currently in the Phase 2 of a major 15-year phased regeneration which includes near-total demolition of the existing residential units, and the construction of new and more numerous residential units. Since [[World War II]], Acton has had a small but notable population<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://london2017.ocs.sites.carleton.edu/london-field-studies-projects/polish-immigrants-in-london/|title = Polish Immigrants in London – London 2017}}</ref> of Polish immigrants. In recent years, a number of Antipodean immigrants have settled there; there are several Australian and South African pubs concentrated in a small area. The [[Japanese School in London]] has also attracted a Japanese community to West Acton. East Acton's [[King Fahd Academy]] also attracted [[Arab]] and mainly [[Saudi people|Saudi]] immigrants to the area. The [[Somali people|Somali]] community is concentrated around Church Road, and there are two mosques near the High Street. The Irish community has diminished somewhat in recent years, but there are still a number of Irish pubs in the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phase 2 Regeneration. Population |url=https://www.ealing.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2709/state_of_ealing_population_amended_24_march_2014.pdf |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=ealing.gov.uk}}</ref>
Acton has the starting point of the 25 kilometre [[Thames Tideway Scheme|Thames Tideway Tunnel]] (also known as the "Super Sewer") at the Acton Storm Tanks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/18037.htm|title=About Us|website=www.thameswater.co.uk|access-date=31 March 2018|archive-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401075440/https://www.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/18037.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> in Canham Road. This will be built to avoid the discharge of sewage from [[Combined sewer#Combined sewer overflows (CSOs)|Combined Sewer Overflow]] into the [[River Thames]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thamestunnelconsultation.co.uk|title=Thames Tunnel | Creating a cleaner, healthier River Thames|publisher=Thamestunnelconsultation.co.uk|date=27 March 2013|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730062359/http://www.thamestunnelconsultation.co.uk/|archive-date=30 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Leisure==
[[File:Acton Farmers Market.JPG|thumb|right|Pilot of Acton Farmers' Market, December 2006]]
The Mount on Acton High Street hosts a market on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Visitors can shop at stalls selling a range of produce. Acton's library, swimming baths (built in 1904) and [[Acton Town Hall|Town Hall]] are examples of tall Victorian municipal buildings that can be found along the High Street. The Swimming Baths closed in December 2011 for a three-year development project, replacing the existing pools with a 25m 8-lane pool and a smaller teaching pool. The site reopened in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leary |first1=Gemma |title=Everyone Active Acton Centre |url=http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200940/sports_centres/1091/everyone_active_acton_centre |website=www.ealing.gov.uk |access-date=2 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> An indoor climbing wall opened on the high street, housed in a building constructed in the 1920s as an Art Deco cinema. The building was later used as a bingo hall before being refurbished into a bouldering centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Acton's Local Web site |url=http://www.actonw3.com/default.asp?section=info&page=actclimb001.htm |website=www.actonw3.com |access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>
On the east end of Acton High Street is Acton Park, which features mini golf, bar and pizza restaurant operated by Putt in the Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.puttinthepark.com/courses/acton-park/|title=Acton Park Mini Golf Course|website=Putt in the Park|language=en-US|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> The southeastern bcorner of the park includes tennis courts, outdoor fitness equipment and a multi-purpose basketball and 5-a-side football court. The park also features a large children's play area including, an adventure playground partially created from local trees felled during a storm, a pond, an art block and a skate park, run by the Ealing Skatepark Association,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ealingskateparkassociation.com/|title=Home|website=www.ealingskateparkassociation.com|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> which opened in April 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ealing.gov.uk/news/article/1876/a_warm_welcome_to_acton_skate_park|title=A warm welcome to Acton Skate Park|last=Stephens|first=Daniel|website=www.ealing.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref>
==Education==
[[File:Acton High School, Middlesex, London, AHS.jpg|thumb|[[Acton High School]], 2008]]
=== Primary schools ===
There are six state-funded primary schools in Acton, Berrymede Junior School, Derwentwater Primary School, East Acton Primary School, St Vincent's RC Primary School, West Acton Primary School, West Twyford Primary School. The [[Ark (charity)]] has opened two primary academies in Acton, Ark Priory Primary Academy in 2013 and Ark Byron Primary Academy in 2015, the latter is based in Acton Park.
===Secondary schools===
Acton has three state-funded secondary high schools, [[Ark Acton Academy]] (formerly Acton High School), [[Twyford Church of England High School]] and [[The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls]]. Acton was once home to another independent school, [[Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls]] before it changed its site to Elstree, the Acton site becoming the Cardinal Newman Roman Catholic High School.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
===International schools===
[[File:Japanese School in London-000.jpg|thumb|right|[[Japanese School in London]]]]
The [[Japanese School in London]] is in Acton.<ref>{{cite web |title=ロンドン日本人学校 The Japanese School in London |url=http://www.thejapaneseschool.ltd.uk/nihonjingakko/index.html |website=www.thejapaneseschool.ltd.uk |access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>
==Acton in popular culture==
{{in popular culture|section|date=April 2018}}
*[[Leo Sayer]]'s 1983 single [[Orchard Road (song)|Orchard Road]] refers to Acton's [[Churchfield Road]].<ref>The [[Bob Rogers (disc jockey)|Bob Rogers]] Show, Radio [[2CH]], 10:31:30 [[AEST]] 31 July 2008.</ref>
*In the TV series ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'', [[Arthur Daley]]'s car lot was by the railway bridge in The Vale<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author= |date=1 February 2013 |title=Minder Locations |url=http://www.minder.org/locations/loc_carlot.htm |access-date=28 July 2013 |publisher=Minder.org}}</ref> with the door of the Winchester Club in Newburgh Road<ref name=":0" /> off [[Churchfield Road]]. The lock up was on the Bush Industrial Estate.<ref name=":0" /> Minder locations in Acton featured throughout series 7 to 10.
*The first [[Waitrose]] store in the UK was in Acton. Originally called "Waite, Rose and Taylor", it opened in 1904, at number 263 Acton Hill. A metal plate commemorating this has been inserted into the pavement outside these premises<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/first-waitrose|title = First Waitrose}}</ref> as it was not possible to obtain permission from the current owners of the building to affix a plaque onto it.
* The TV series [[Motherland (British TV series)|''Motherland'']] used locations in Acton and [[Chiswick]] including Southfield Primary School,<ref>{{cite news |title=TV Show On 'Yummy Mummys' Filmed in Chiswick |url=http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=motherland001.htm |access-date=23 November 2020 |work=www.chiswickw4.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Motherland, BBC2 |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/comedy/motherland-bbc2/5124030.article |website=Broadcast |access-date=23 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sharon Horgan on mean mums and Motherland's return |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/oct/12/sharon-horgan-on-mean-mums-and-motherland-season-two |website=The Guardian |access-date=23 November 2020 |language=en |date=12 October 2019}}</ref> Southfield Park (episode 'Good Job' [[Motherland (British TV series)|Series 2]]) and Acton Park ('Christmas Special' 2020).
== Notable people ==
*[[Jamal Edwards]], founder of the British music media and creative cultural industries platform [[SB.TV]] grew up on the Friary Park estate in North Acton.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 February 2022 |title=Jamal Edwards on how growing up on an Acton estate shaped him |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/jamal-edwards-on-how-growing-up-on-an-acton-estate-shaped-him |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=Time Out London |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Jamal Edwards ... the Acton kid and his media empire |language=en-GB |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/jamal-edwards-the-acton-kid-and-his-media-empire-6445541.html |access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[Mathangi Arulpragasam]], rapper and activist, known by her stage name M.I.A. (acronymous for Missing In Acton), grew up in the town, which is referenced numerous times in her lyrics.
* [[Peter Ackroyd]], writer, grew up in [[East Acton]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hw633|title=Desert Island Discs, Peter Ackroyd, BBC Radio 4|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|date=25 May 2012|access-date=4 April 2013}}</ref>
*[[Henry Charles Brewer]] (1866–1950), early 20th century artist, lived on Perryn Road, Acton until his death, and is buried in Acton Cemetery.<ref name="Angels in Ealing">{{cite book |last1=Peatfield |first1=Susan |title=Angels in Ealing |date=2022 |publisher=St Peter's Church Ealing |___location=London}}</ref>
*[[James Alphege Brewer]] (1881–1946), creator of etchings, lived on Avenue Road, and is buried in Acton Cemetery.<ref name="Angels in Ealing"/>
* [[Karl Dallas]], music journalist and peace campaigner, was born and lived in Acton<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/27/karl-dallas-obituary|title=Karl Dallas obituary|last=Denselow|first=Robin|date=27 June 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 May 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[John Entwistle]], musician, was brought up and went to school in Acton
*[[Adam Faith]], singer, actor and financial journalist was born and grew up in Acton.
* [[Emilia Fox]], actor, lived in Acton in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theresident.co.uk/london-culture-events/emilia-fox-on-silent-witness-motherhood-life-in-acton/|title=EMILIA FOX ON SILENT WITNESS, MOTHERHOOD & LIFE IN ACTON|website=www.theresident.co.uk|date=24 December 2016|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518130257/http://www.theresident.co.uk/london-culture-events/emilia-fox-on-silent-witness-motherhood-life-in-acton/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kit Harington]], actor, was born in Acton<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theresident.co.uk/london-culture-events/local-people/game-thrones-stars-londoners/|title=GAME OF THRONES STARS IN LONDON|website=www.theresident.co.uk|date=27 February 2015|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828185642/http://www.theresident.co.uk/london-culture-events/local-people/game-thrones-stars-londoners/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Simon Reeve (British TV presenter)|Simon Reeve]], TV presenter, grew up in Acton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Emily |date=30 January 2020 |title=My London: Simon Reeve |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/esmagazine/my-london-simon-reeve-a4348071.html |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Hannah Reid]], lead singer of [[London Grammar]] grew up in Acton<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/london-grammar-lead-singer-chiswicks-6728065|title=The BRITs: Chiswick's Hannah Reid hoping to grab an award with London Grammar|last=Culbertson|first=Alix|date=19 February 2014|work=getwestlondon|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref>
* [[Alan Rickman]], actor, lived in Acton<ref>{{Citation|title=Obituary: Alan Rickman|work=BBC News|date=14 January 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35313578}}</ref>
* [[Mark Smith (actor, born 1969)|Mark Smith]], bodybuilder and actor, who starred as 'Rhino' in [[Gladiators (1992 UK TV series)|Gladiators]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/heres-what-gladiator-rhino-looks-17050860|title=My London news|date=February 2021}}</ref>
* [[Pete Townshend]], musician, [[Pete Townshend#Early life and education|grew up and attended school in Acton]]
* [[Alan Wilder]], former member of the band [[Depeche Mode]] was [[Alan Wilder#Early years|born and raised in Acton]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Christopher |first1=Michael |title=Depeche Mode FAQ : all that's left to know about the world's finest synth-pop band |date=2021 |publisher=Backbeat |___location=Lanham, MD |isbn=9781493054008}}</ref>{{rp|15}}
* [[Robin Friday]], former footballer, was born and lived in Acton.
* [[Robert Spall]], recipient of the Victoria Cross was born in Spencer Road, Acton.
* [[Asma al-Assad]], former [[First Lady]] of Syria, grew up in Acton.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/president-assads-wife-banned-from-europe-770546 |title=President Assad's wife banned from travelling to Europe... but not Britain |work=The Mirror |date=23 March 2012 |access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref>
* [[Fawaz Akhras]], Syrian-English Cardiologist, chairman of the [[British Syrian Society]], and father of Asma al-Assad.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025|reason=Unverified in wikilinked article}}
==Transport==
===Tube/Rail===
Stations in the area are:
* [[Acton Central railway station]] ([[Mildmay line]])
* [[Acton Main Line railway station]] ([[Elizabeth line]])
* [[Acton Town tube station|Acton Town Underground station]] ([[District line]] and [[Piccadilly line]])
* [[East Acton tube station|East Acton Underground station]] ([[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]])
* [[North Acton tube station|North Acton Underground station]] (Central line)
* [[South Acton railway station (England)|South Acton railway station]] (Mildmay line)
* [[West Acton tube station|West Acton Underground station]] [Central line ([[Ealing Broadway station|Ealing Broadway]] branch)]
Acton has seven railway stations bearing its name, more than any other place in the United Kingdom other than London itself. Acton is also the only place in London to have stations named after all four of its cardinal points, north, south, east, and west. <ref>Rose, Douglas (2007). ''The London Underground: A Diagrammatic History'' (7th ed.). Douglas Rose/Capital Transport.</ref> The widespread provision of train services reflects a long railway history, particularly associated (historically) with [[Transport for London|London Transport]] and the [[Great Western Railway]]. Between 1858 and 1864 there was a further station on the [[North London Railway]], ''Acton Junction'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/joebrownlondon/status/1580688566069252097 |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> where the line to [[Hammersmith & Chiswick railway station]] branched off.
North Acton has a large Great Western Railway housing estate (now privately owned),<ref>{{cite web |title=Acton History |url=http://www.actonhistory.co.uk/acton/page6.html |website=www.actonhistory.co.uk |access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> and the [[Old Oak Common TMD]] railway depot is within the usual boundary, as is the [[London Transport Museum#Depot (Acton)|London Transport Museum Depot]] which houses an extensive collection of historic and heritage rolling stock. Acton Main Line station has a busy freight yard (operating ballast and container trains).
===Buses===
London Buses routes [[London Buses route 7|7]], [[London Buses route 70|70]], [[London Buses route 72|72]], [[London Buses route 94|94]], [[London Buses route 95|95]], [[London Buses route 207|207]], [[London Buses route 218|218]], [[London Buses route 228|228]], [[London Buses route 260|260]], [[London Buses route 266|266]], [[London Buses route 272|272]], [[London Buses route 283|283]], [[London Buses route 306|306]], [[London Buses route 427|427]], [[London Buses route 440|440]], [[London Buses route 487|487]], [[London Buses route E3|E3]], [[London Buses route N7|N7]], [[London Buses route N11|N11]], [[London Buses route N207|N207]] and [[London Buses route SL8|SL8]] serve Acton.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/actoncentral-a4-270714.pdf |access-date=2 December 2024|title=Buses from Acton Central}}</ref>
===Shelved tram proposals===
[[Transport for London]], led by then Mayor of London, [[Ken Livingstone]], proposed to build a [[West London Tram]] between Shepherd's Bush and Uxbridge town centre.<ref name="mayor-announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=1135|title=Mayor says yes to new trams and busways|date=29 May 2002|publisher=Mayor of London/Greater London Authority|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418014756/http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=1135|archive-date=18 April 2003}}</ref> It would have run along the A4020, the [[Uxbridge Road]], through Acton, Ealing, West Ealing, Hanwell, Southall and Hayes End. This proposed scheme was highly controversial and resulted in strong differences in opinion between TfL, who supported the scheme, and local councils throughout the proposed route, who all took a 'no tram' stance.<ref name="bbc-majority">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4308321.stm|title=Majority say 'no' to tram scheme|date=1 March 2005|work=BBC News|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref>
The West London Tram was finally scrapped when former Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] agreed that the long-awaited [[Crossrail]] would go ahead in October 2007.<ref name="tfl-2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/3223.aspx|title=West London Tram|date=10 April 2008|publisher=Transport for London (archived page)|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410070044/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/networkandservices/3223.aspx|archive-date=10 April 2008}}</ref> [[Acton Main Line railway station]] is now a station on the [[Elizabeth line]], delivered by the Crossrail project, with 4 trains per hour in each direction.
==Neighbouring places==
* [[Chiswick]]
* [[Ealing]]
* [[Harlesden, London, England|Harlesden]]
* [[Park Royal]]
* [[Shepherd's Bush]]
* [[North Acton]]
* [[South Acton, London|South Acton]]
* [[East Acton]]
* [[West Acton]]
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:South acton.JPG|View of South Acton from Barwick House, showing Jerome Tower and Berrymede Junior School
File:Acton Park1.jpg|Acton Park
File:Barwick house.JPG|Barwick House, on the South Acton estate
File:South acton harlech corfe beumaris.JPG|Blocks of flats on the South Acton estate
File:Acton High Street Railway Bridge With Illuminated Sign.jpg|Nighttime view of Acton sign on the railway bridge at the bottom of Acton High Street in London.
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Murder of Jean Bradley]] – in Acton in 1993
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=89 British History Online - Acton]
*[http://www.ActonW3.com ActonW3.com] - a digital local newspaper for the area
{{LB Ealing}}
{{London Districts}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Acton, London| ]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Ealing]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Spa towns in England]]
[[Category:Places formerly in Middlesex]]
[[Category:District centres of London]]
| |||