Edwardian Acton

East Acton

East Acton was a popular location for postcard photographers and there were many versions printed of the forge and the view of the Goldsmith’s Arms.

Cottages at East Acton.

Looking North up East Acton Lane towards the Goldsmith’s Arms.

Looking East from outside the (old) Goldsmith’s Arms (to the left).

The Gallery of the pub was used to hire agricultural labourers.

In this view the pub has been rebuilt, but the scene is still recognisable, and the old cottages in the centre are still there.

The picturesque forge at East Acton.

The Centre of Acton

Looking south from Horn Lane into Market place. Churchfield Road to the left, King Street to the right.

Churchfield Road Looking to the West. This was one of the important shopping streets of Acton. (DK)

This is said to be the view from Cock and Crown Yard, looking North. It is suggested that this postcard has been printed back to front – the church tower is not symmetrical.

A later view looking up Mill Hill Grove

Acton’s Churches

St Mary’s Church with the London and South Western Bank and a tram to Southall.

St Mary’s Church with, on the right, the London and South Western Bank and to the left, King Street. The area in front of the Church, formerly dense housing and shops was cleared in the late 1900’s and is laid out as a garden.

The church from Churchfield Road, looking South West. (DK)

St Mary’s Church in 2006 before the recent redevelopment of the Town Square.

A church dedicated to St. Mary existed as early as 1231, when Walter, rector of Acton, is first recorded. The church served the whole parish until 1872, and also acted as the seat of local government. The rapid increase in population of Acton in the mid 19th century brought about the rebuilding of St. Mary's and new parish churches for South Acton (All Saints) in 1873, East Acton (St. Dunstan's) in 1880, and Acton Green (St Alban’)s in 1888. The original church was extended, developed, and added to until the whole church, except the tower, was demolished in 1865, because it could seat only 500 and was considered completely unsuitable. The present church, consisting of a chancel, nave with aisles, and south-east chapel, was built of red brick with stone dressings to the design of H. Francis in a Decorated style. The tower was rebuilt in 1876 and the vestry was extended over part of the churchyard in 1906.

St Alban’s Church, Acton Green built in 1887/78 in Edwardian times, and about 2000.

The new Wesleyan Church, Acton Hill, now the Acton Hill Methodist Church.

In 1907 this church replaced the earlier chapel , still existing in Gunnersbury Lane. It was built on site of “The Oaks” Acton Hill Methodist Church, was designed by Gordon & Gordon, and built of Kentish rag-stone with dressings of Bath stone, with tower and Gothic detail. Originally seated 780 on ground floor, 181 in gallery, 39 in choir. When the Congregational Church in Churchfield Road closed in 1976 an agreement was made with the Acton United Reformed church for joint use of the church. The church was modernised and made more flexible in use in 1978.

An early view of Gunnersbury Lane

Acton’s parks – Acton Park

The Goldsmiths' Company had grand plans for the laying out of roads, and the construction of large houses on the land bounded by Churchfield Road East, East Acton Lane and Uxbridge Road. However after only building a few houses, the plan was dropped, and sold the site to the local board for Acton park.

In 1888 the local board bought 21 acres from the Goldsmiths' Company and 4 acres from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and laid out Acton park, between Churchfield Road East and Uxbridge Road including with sports facilities. The grounds were landscaped in a rustic style by the Cheal family of Gatwick.

The Bandstand (which can now be located by a circular flower bed) is reputed to be the site of one of a number of windmills – this one being sited just beyond the Church Field – one of the common fields of Acton.

One of the features of the new park was the memorial removed from Derwentwater House, installed in 1904.

Acton’s Parks – Woodlands Park

The original pond, and the new pond that was rebuilt in 2006.

Edwardian view.

Views of the icehouse and the newly restored park taken in 2006 and 2007.

The former Woodlands House which fronted the High Street opposite the Steyne, together with about 6 acres of land was purchased by the local council in 1903 for the county school (most of the buildings of which still stand in the grounds of the college) and for the laying out of Woodlands Park. The grounds were restored in 2006, the icehouse excavated, and the former pond restored.

Acton Cottage Hospital

Acton Cottage Hospital was opened in 1898, and was supported by a donation from Passmore Edwards. The earliest part of the building was the central block, but the building was gradually extended by the addition of the pavilions shown in the picture to the left (c. 1910), and by further blocks including a nurses home at the rear, and the War Memorial wing that replaced the left hand pavilion in the 1920’s.

Recently, all the old buildings have been replaced with the new Acton Care Home, and the central building restored, as shown in the picture to the right.

Follow this link for more information on Passmore Edwards, and links to further pictures of Acton Cottage Hospital and Acton Library.

South Acton

South Acton was an area of dense housing and many small businesses, the most predominant of which were laundries.

Parish Hall, South Acton.

Haberdashers School

This picture shows the Haberdashers School in Creffield Road. This is now the Japanese School.

Most of the images on this page have been provided courtesy of Mr Paul Lang.

It is believed that all the images of old postcards on this page are out of copyright.

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