Acton means "oak farm" or "farm by oak trees", and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon ac (oak) and tun (farm). Originally an ancient village (mentioned in the Domesday Book, as London expanded, Acton became absorbed into the city. Nowadays, Acton lies predominantly in the London Borough of Ealing, although some of East Acton lies within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Central Acton lies on the former main road between London and Oxford (the Uxbridge Road) and several inns along it date back several centuries as stopping places for travellers. Nowadays, the principal route linking London and Oxford (the A40 dual carriageway) bypasses central Acton, but passes through North Acton.
History
Development
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.
Acton is now principally residential, though it maintains some light industry, particularly in the northeast Park Royal area, and the south near the border with Chiswick.
Acton is also home to the largest housing estate in West London, the South Acton estate, with approximately 2,000 homes and 5,800 residents.
Since World War II, Acton has had a small but notable population 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. Other substantial immigrant groups include Iraqis and Somalis. A Japanese school has attracted a Japanese community to West Acton.
Out and about in Acton
Eating and Drinking
Acton has no shortage of good pubs, one of which, the newly restored “St George and the Dragon” on the High Street, has earned Fancyapint.com's top 5-pint rating. The Red Lion & Pineapple (a Wetherspoon pub) is popular with younger people and older people, particularly those out seeking a very cheap pint. On and around the High Street is a diverse range of restaurants and takeaways, including the Thai Be Thai, the Indian Acton Tandoori and the Chinese North China.
On Churchfield Road, which runs north of and parallel to the High Street, is a large range of pubs and eating places from the Churchfield near the level crossing to the Rocket, a fine gastropub and Vanilla, a new organic coffee shop and deli. There are Korean, Lebanese, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish bars and restaurants, along with a well-regarded and unusual Indian restaurant, 3Spice. Churchfield Road also features a flower shop, several specialist clothes and antique shops and many hairdressers.