The town of Acton is located in the borough of Ealing and occupies an appealing position between the districts of Ealing and Springfield Park. It is situated six miles to the west of Charing Cross and is comprised of several areas including Acton Green, Acton Central, and Acton Vale.
Average property prices in Acton stood at £633,349 in 2020. This places the area on a similar level to the borough of Ealing as a whole, which recorded an average price of £640,815. West Acton was the most expensive part of the borough overall, boasting average sold prices of £785,787. Acton is considerably more expensive than Northolt, which is the most affordable part of the borough of Ealing, and has an average property price of £386,420.
The most popular type of property sold in the Acton area during that time were flats, which reached an average price of £447,499. Acton's terraced properties fetched an average price of £867,151 and semi-detached properties in the area reached £1,108,667 on average. Since 2019, prices in Acton have increased by 11%. Additionally, prices are 8% higher than when they were at their peak in 2017.
What is living in Acton like?
While Acton was once a hub of industry, today much of the area contains residential housing. In fact, West London's largest housing estate can be found in Acton, boasting some 2,000 properties housing more than 5,000 residents. It also has the added benefit of being closely positioned to the areas of Shepherd's Bush, Chiswick, and Harlesden.
Acton High Street is home to a variety of pubs, shops and restaurants. Additionally, the Mount area of the high street hosts a market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The east end of Action High Street leads to Acton Park, which contains a pizza restaurant, bar and miniature golf course. Residents can also enjoy a children's play area, tennis courts, outdoor fitness equipment, and a 5-a-side football pitch.
The food and drink scene in Acton is really diverse, offering ample opportunities to sample cuisine from around the world, including Japan, Poland and Greece. From classic pub grub to craft beer, delightful bakeries, and charming wine bars, there's something for everyone in this diverse town.
Proving its versatility, Acton is ideal for both young professionals wanting to settle somewhere within easy reach of the city and those keen to move into a property suitable for a growing family. Excellent transport connections mean that it's possible to be in the heart of London's West End in under half an hour.
Living in Acton pros and cons
Pro: Excellent primary and secondary schools
There are several primary and secondary schools located in Action, most of which have been rated as 'Outstanding' or 'Good' by Ofsted. Berrymede Junior School, Derwentwater Primary School, and St Vincent's Catholic Primary School have all secured 'Good' ratings, with Holy Family Catholic Primary School and Ark Priory Primary Academy being rated as 'Outstanding'.
Secondary education provision in the Acton area is also strong, with Twyford Church of England High School and the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls being awarded 'Outstanding' status by Ofsted.
Acton is also home to numerous private schools, including the Greek Primary School of London, Orchard House, and Bunka Yochien.
Con: Affected by the ULEZ zone
Most of Acton is now positioned within the ULEZ zone, which means that drivers who own vehicles that don't meet the strict emissions standards will need to pay the daily charge to use their vehicles.
This means some good news for electric vehicle drivers, however, as Acton benefits from numerous charging points which are positioned all across the town.
Pro: Strong transport links
Acton is served by a selection of Underground and rail stations, including Acton Central, Acton Town, and West Action, which offer access to the Central, District, and Piccadilly lines. As such, the area is popular among commuters looking for easy access to the likes of Earl's Court, Victoria, Westminster, Whitechapel, Covent Garden, and Finsbury Park.
More than 20 bus routes serve Acton, including services to Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, White City, and Uxbridge. Bus provision also includes multiple night buses, which are in operation between 11pm and 6am.
Drivers will also be pleased to know that Acton benefits from access to the M4 corridor.
Pro: Easy access to open space
Although Acton isn't typically associated with green spaces in the ways that neighbouring areas of Kew and Chiswick often are, the area does have plenty of open space nearby. Gunnersbury Park is the largest park in Acton and it has recently undergone a large-scale, £50 million-pound restoration project. Both the garden and park is Grade II listed and contain a range of notable features including the Horseshoe Pond, boathouse, and the 19th century temple. Acton Park is positioned in the centre of the town and benefits from a café, tennis courts, and a community centre which runs art classes for children.
Is Acton a safe place to live?
When looking at crime data for the Acton Central area, it is possible to see that reported incidents have been decreasing in recent months.
Between January 2020 and December 2021, Acton Central saw 2,727 crimes reported. Approximately a quarter of those crimes were categorised as violent crimes, with 546 falling under the theft category and a further 472 categorised as vehicle offences.
Crime in the area peaked in May 2020, with 149 crimes recorded during that four-week period. June 2021 was another peak month for crime in the area, with 140 incidents being reported. Since then crime has reduced, falling to under 100 reported incidents in December 2021.
Overall, crime in Acton Central was lower than in East Acton and South Acton, but higher than in nearby Southfield, Hanger Hill, and Ealing Common.
Which celebrities live in Acton?
Rapper and activist Mathangi Arulpragasam, who is often referred to by her stage name of M.I.A grew up in Acton and has referenced the town in her music on numerous occasions. The town's musical connections don't end there, as John Entwistle, who was bass player for The Who, and London Grammar's vocalist Hannah Reid also grew up and went to school here.
Other famous faces to have spent some of their formative years in the town include beloved actor Alan Rickman, Kit Harrington, and Bill Owen.
Things to consider when moving to Acton?
Although Acton doesn't have a regular presence on the trendiest places to live in London lists, this suburban town has a lot to offer. In addition to a strong community atmosphere, the range of amenities and shops is notable for a relatively compact location. White City Westfield shopping centre is minutes away by road and there is no shortage of pubs and eateries in which to socialise with friends. And that's just for starters.
There is also a surprising variety of property available in the town, including beautiful Georgian homes with high ceilings and charming warm toned brickwork. The area around Poet's Corner is known for its three-storey Victorian terraces, and the likes of Avenue Gardens contain some spectacular double-fronted Edwardian properties. As prices have been steadily increasing recently, now could be the ideal time to invest in a property in this often-overlooked part of West London.