Acton is a district within the London Borough of Ealing in west London. It's 6.1 miles west of Charing Cross. At the 2011 census, Acton had a population of 62,480 - a ten year increase of 8,791 individuals.
Acton means 'oak farm' or ''farm by oak trees', and derives from old English. It was initially an ancient village, and as London expanded it was absorbed into the city. Since 1965, Acton has been part of the east of Ealing, but some sections of East Acton are inside the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and a small part of South Acton is inside the London Borough of Hounslow. Acton is one of the places with the most stations bearing their name anywhere within the UK, with seven stations including its name.
Central Acton is referred to as the hub of commerce and retail on the former major road between London and Oxford, known as the Uxbridge Road. The main road includes a great deal of inns, which go back to the late Tudor period as stopping places for travellers. These days, the A40 dual carriageway is the major route from London to Oxford, and it bypasses central Acton. It still passes via East Acton and North Acton.
Acton hosts the largest housing estate in West London, named the South Acton estate, with about 2,000 houses and 5,800 residents. The area is at present in phase 2 of a major 15-year phased regeneration which includes nearly full demolition of the current residential units plus the building of new and much more residences. This is likely to enhance its population additionally.