Acton Town Tube Station
A modernist underground railway station in West London, redesigned by Charles Holden in the early 1930s to serve the District and Piccadilly lines.
At a glance
Acton Town is a London Underground station in the London Borough of Ealing, near the boundary with Hounslow. It serves two major lines: the District line (on the Ealing Broadway branch) and the Piccadilly line, both of which connect the station to central London and surrounding areas. The station sits in London fare zone 3.
History
The station opened on 1 July 1879 as Mill Hill Park, constructed by the District Railway. It initially functioned as a terminus until 1883, when the District Railway extended branches to Hounslow Town and later to Park Royal & Twyford Abbey in 1903. On 4 July 1932, the Piccadilly line was extended to the station. In October 1964, District line services to both branches were withdrawn, leaving the Piccadilly line as the sole operator from that date.
The original brick station building was reconstructed in February 1910 and renamed to its present designation on 1 March 1910. A major rebuilding followed in 1931–1932 to accommodate the incoming Piccadilly line service.
What you see
Charles Holden designed the 1931–1932 reconstruction in a modern European geometric style. The building employs brick, reinforced concrete, and glass—materials characteristic of early 20th-century modernism. These design choices reflect the contemporary push toward functional, streamlined station architecture across the London Underground network.
Cultural significance
Acton Town exemplifies the expansion and modernisation of London’s transport infrastructure during the interwar period. Holden’s work on the station contributed to a coherent visual identity across the Underground system, elevating functional architecture to a respected art form in metropolitan design.
Key facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- City: London Borough of Ealing
- Coordinates: 51.50277778, −0.28
- Opened (original): 1 July 1879
- Current design by: Charles Holden (1931–1932)
- Lines served: District line, Piccadilly line
- London fare zone: 3
Practical information & getting there
Acton Town is accessible via the District line and Piccadilly line of the London Underground. Check TfL Journey Planner for current service updates and journey times to your destination.
Sources & resources
- Acton Town tube station – Wikipedia
- Cultural Heritage Online
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