Acton is a district inside 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 10 year increase of 8,791 individuals.
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 areas of East Acton are inside 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 locations with the most stations bearing their name anywhere within the UK, with seven stations including its name.
Central Acton is generally known as the hub of commerce and retail on the former major road between London and Oxford, referred to as the Uxbridge Road. The main road includes a lot of inns, which go as far back to the late Tudor period as stopping places for travellers. Currently, the A40 dual carriageway is the major route from London to Oxford, and it bypasses central Acton. It still passes by means of East Acton and North Acton.
Acton houses the largest housing estate in West London, named the South Acton estate, with roughly 2,000 properties and 5,800 residents. The region is presently in phase two of a significant 15-year phased regeneration which consists of nearly full demolition of the existing residential units plus the building of brand new and more residences. This is likely to enhance its population even further.