W3
Nearest Tube: West Acton

Acton is the area of west London between Shepherd’s Bush and Ealing. The name comes from the old English word Actun, which means “the settlement among the oaks”.

Being a rural area so conveniently close to central London, for many years Acton was a favourite residential area for London’s rich and powerful. And in the 18th century the area became a fashionable spa resort and attracted visitors from all over England.

Then with industrialisation the area became a vast centre for manufacturing and industry. The numerous laundries of South Acton earned it the nickname of “Soapsuds Island”, whilst the rest of the district was home to many other industries.

Today the area is predominantly residential, but the legacy of industrialisation means that some areas are still quite run-down and poor.