Acton’s name derives from the Old English words ac & tun, meaning ‘a garden or a field enclosed by oaks’.

EAT & DRINK

Acton hosts some great pubs with impressive kitchens, including The Rocket, The Station House & The George & Dragon, guaranteed for a local pint of craft beer & great gastro experiences – or visit Vindinista, a wine bar with a huge collection of unusual & independent bottles.

The Aeronaut is arguably one of Ealing borough’s most unique venues with circus themed performances, its own onsite microbrewery & one of the best beer gardens in London.

Claimed to be the best pub in Chiswick, The City Barge, known for not only its enviable views of the Thames, but also its entertaining Wednesday night quiz & soft shell crab burgers.

Local Japanese fishmongers, Atari-Ya, popular for high-quality sushi & sashimi.

Grove Park Deli, renowned for its amazing selection of deli foods & possibly the best sausage rolls in the world!

Acton Market (Crown Street), every Wednesday & Saturday, is the spot to pick up homemade jams, fresh bread, fruit, vegetables, flowers & art from a host of enthusiastic independent makers & traders.

GREEN SPACES & LEISURE

Acton

Acton’s abundant surrounding green open spaces & leisure opportunities are one of the area’s main draws.

Acton Park’s stunning grounds offer a range of activities, including tennis, basketball & football courts, climbing block, bowling green, boating pond, as well as popular Putt In The Park’s 15 hole course with fully-licensed clubhouse. There’s plenty more to keep children entertained, including a play centre & playground.

Also nearby, providing adrenalin entertainment for all ages (8 years plus), is TeamSports E-Karting – featuring the no-nonsense twisted multi-level, 500m track - one of the fastest in the country.

For something less energetic, visit the pop-up ActOne Cinema on Acton High Street. Pioneered by a group of local residents, the venture has brought new life to the disused old library building, restoring its role as a community hub with two 60-seat screening rooms, fully equipped with the latest digital technology, lounge & café.

Gunnersbury

Gunnersbury Park stretches across 200 acres of expansive lawns, woodlands, lakes & fountains, as well as a museum which was once the home of the Rothschild family.

Year-round educational walks, talks & community events can be enjoyed, alongside extensive leisure facilities to hire – eight floodlit tennis courts, two full-size all-weather football pitches, nice adult & junior grass football pitches, a rugby pitch & three grass cricket wickets. A picturesque spot with a nature trail, Gunnersbury Triangle, is also a haven for local wildlife.

Chiswick

Chiswick & its Thames-side walks, are described as some of the prettiest green spaces in West London – including Chiswick House & Gardens, regarded as the birthplace of the English Landscape Garden, balances elegant 18th century architecture with 65 acres of gardens, alongside café, tennis courts, playgrounds & bowling green.

Chiswick is home to designer brands as well as up & coming creatives. The leafy High Road & surrounding streets mix gastropubs, upmarket brands & casual dining, as well as coffee shops, delis & bakeries. A destination for interiors fans, Chiswick is famed for its auction house & vintage stores, as well as plenty to entertain, including boutique cinema, cookery school & comedy club.