You are here:
Our Brands
/
Berkeley
/
Our Developments
/
West 3 London Apartments
/
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
There are many interesting facts about Acton and the area surrounding West 3 London Apartments, from historical importance to celebrity residents. Here are just a few of them:
- Acton means "oak farm" or "farm by oak trees", and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon ac (oak) and tun (farm). Originally an ancient village (mentioned in the Domesday Book), as London expanded, Acton became absorbed into the city.
- Central Acton lies on the former main road between London and Oxford (the Uxbridge Road) and several inns along it date back several centuries as stopping places for travellers.
- Towards the end of the 17th century several springs were found on the North-East side of Acton and, for a time, they became health spas. As a result of the local soft water Acton became famous for its laundries and at the end of the 19th century there were around 170 establishments in South Acton. These laundries would serve hotels and the rich in London's West End, leading to the nickname "soapsuds island".
- During the 20th Century, Acton was a major industrial centre employing tens of thousands of people, particularly in the motor vehicles and components industries. Acton Vale itself had famous names including Napier & Son, a British engine and automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in history. In 1961, Rolls Royce purchased Napier's aero-engine business.
- Acton was the birthplace of The Who, of which all members except Keith Moon went to Acton High School (then named Acton County Grammar School).
- Pete Townshend's 1982 solo album, All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, contained the track "Stardom in Acton" in reference to his home town, while the accompanying video was filmed on and around Acton High Street.
- The Monty Python sketch 'Bicycle Repair Man' was shot on Churchfield Road; part of the sketch 'Hell's Grannies' was shot on Acton High Street.
- Leo Sayer's 1983 single Orchard Road in reality refers to Acton's Churchfield Road.
- Acton Park often hosted filming for programmes such as Rose & Macaulay and The Deal.
- Scenes from the 1986 movie Aliens and the 1989 movie Batman were shot in Acton.
- The Ken Loach film Ladybird Ladybird was film at many sites around Acton including The Mount, the Town Hall, Vyner Road, Cumberland Park and parts of South Acton.
- Adam Faith the pop singer, lived at 4 Churchfield Road.
- The first Waitrose store was in Acton. Originally called "Waite, Rose and Taylor", it opened in 1904, at number 263 Acton Hill. A metal plate commemorating this has been inserted into the pavement outside these premises.
