Acton is a district within the London Borough of Ealing in west London. It is 6.1 miles west of Charing Cross. At the 2011 census, Acton had a population of 62,480 - a 10 year increase of 8,791 individuals.
Acton means 'oak farm' or ''farm by oak trees', and originates 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 in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and a small section 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 United kingdom, with seven stations including its name.
Central Acton is known as the hub of commerce and retail on the former principal road between London and Oxford, known as the Uxbridge Road. The main road includes lots of inns, which go as far back to the late Tudor period as stopping places for travellers. Today, the A40 dual carriageway is the primary route from London to Oxford, and it bypasses central Acton. It still passes through East Acton and North Acton.
Acton boasts the largest housing estate in West London, named the South Acton estate, with about 2,000 homes and 5,800 residents. The location is presently in phase two of a significant 15-year phased regeneration which includes nearly complete demolition of the current residential units plus the building of brand new and much more residences. This is most likely to increase its population further.