is a place in the
London Borough Of Ealing . It is located 6.4 miles (10.3 km) west of
Charing Cross .
Originally an ancient village (mentioned in the
Domesday Book ), as London expanded, Acton became absorbed into the city. Acton was a
Municipal Borough of
Middlesex from
1921 to
1965 , when it was absorbed into the
London Borough Of Ealing . East Acton is in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
Acton lies on the former main road between London and Oxford and several inns along it date back several centuries as stopping places for travellers. Several springs were found towards the end of the 17th century on the north-east side of Acton and they became for a time health spas. Acton used to be famous for its laundries. The local soft water led to there being around 170 establishments in South Acton at the end of the 19th century, serving hotels and the rich in London's West End, leading to the nickname "soapsuds island".
Acton is now principally residential, though it maintains some light industry: particularly in the north east in the Park Royal area, and the south near the border with Chiswick.
Since n /
South Africa n pubs concentrated in a small area. Other substantial immmigrant groups include Iraqis and Somalis. A Japanese school has attracted a Japanese community to West Acton.
The name Acton derives from the
Anglo-Saxon for "oak town".
Acton was also the birthplace of
The Who , of which all members except
Keith Moon went to
Acton High School , and was where the
Monty Python sketch 'Bicycle Repair Man' was shot, on
Churchfield Road .
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