Acton is a district within the London Borough of Ealing in west London. It is 6.1 miles west of Charing Cross. In the 2011 census, Acton had a population of 62,480 - a ten year increase of 8,791 inhabitants.
Acton means 'oak farm' or ''farm by oak trees', and derives from old English. It was originally 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 in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and a small section of South Acton is in the London Borough of Hounslow. Acton is one of the locations with the most stations bearing their name anywhere within the United kingdom, with seven stations including its name.
Central Acton is generally known as the hub of commerce and retail on the former primary road between London and Oxford, called the Uxbridge Road. The main road consists of a great deal of inns, which go back to the late Tudor period as stopping places for travellers. Today, the A40 dual carriageway is the key route from London to Oxford, and it bypasses central Acton. It still passes via East Acton and North Acton.
Acton boasts the biggest housing estate in West London, named the South Acton estate, with around 2,000 houses and 5,800 residents. The location is currently in phase two of a significant 15-year phased regeneration which consists of almost complete demolition of the existing residential units as well as the construction of new and much more residences. This is most likely to boost its population even more.