Acton Town is a pivotal interchange station on the western section of the London Underground, serving both the District and Piccadilly lines on Gunnersbury Lane in the London Borough of Ealing. It occupies a strategically important position on the network: it is here that the Piccadilly line branches off from the District line corridor, with the Piccadilly continuing north-east into central London while the District line continues westward to its Ealing Broadway terminus or the North London Overground interchange at Acton Central.

The station was opened in 1883 by the District Railway and was rebuilt to an elegant, purpose-designed station by architect Charles Holden in 1932-33, giving it the distinctive clean, modernist architecture characteristic of the inter-war London Underground expansion. The station building is a fine example of Holden’s influential brick-and-concrete style, and is Listed Grade II for its architectural interest.

For passengers travelling to or from Heathrow Airport, Acton Town is a key waypoint: the Piccadilly line’s direct service to all Heathrow terminals passes through here, and travellers from the District line can interchange to the Piccadilly at this station. The station also provides interchange access for the London Overground at Acton Central (a short bus or walk away) and the Elizabeth line at Acton Main Line.

District line

• Eastbound (towards Upminster): Gunnersbury (2 min) → Kew Gardens → Richmond (one branch); or Chiswick Park → Turnham Green → Stamford Brook → Ravenscourt Park → Barons Court → West Kensington → Earl’s Court → Gloucester Road → South Kensington → Sloane Square → Victoria → St James’s Park → Westminster → Embankment → Temple → Blackfriars → Mansion House → Cannon Street → Monument → Tower Hill → Aldgate East → Whitechapel → then on via Stepney Green to Upminster (approx. 60 min)
• Westbound (towards Ealing Broadway): South Ealing (3 min) → Northfields → Boston Manor → Osterley → Hounslow East → Hounslow Central → Hounslow West → Hatton Cross → Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3 (District line does not serve Heathrow — Ealing Broadway branch only); or Ealing Common → Ealing Broadway (approx. 10 min)
• Frequency: every 5–8 minutes; services split at Acton Town towards Richmond and Ealing Broadway branches

Piccadilly line

• Eastbound (towards Cockfosters / central London): Hammersmith (3 min) → Barons Court → Earl’s Court → Gloucester Road → South Kensington → Knightsbridge → Hyde Park Corner → Green Park → Piccadilly Circus → Leicester Square → Covent Garden → Holborn → Russell Square → King’s Cross St Pancras → then on through Holloway, Finsbury Park, Wood Green, Southgate, Oakwood to Cockfosters (approx. 55 min)
• Westbound (towards Heathrow / Uxbridge): South Ealing (3 min) → Northfields → Boston Manor → Osterley → Hounslow East → Hounslow Central → Hounslow West → Hatton Cross → then splits:
  • To Heathrow Airport (Terminal 2 & 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5) — approx. 25 min from Acton Town
  • To Uxbridge via Rayners Lane — approx. 40 min
• Frequency: every 3–5 minutes at peak times — the Piccadilly line is the direct connection to Heathrow from this station

Interchange Notes

Acton Town is where the Piccadilly and District lines diverge to their different western routes. For Heathrow Airport, take the Piccadilly line (direct to all terminals). District line services continue to Ealing Broadway and do not serve Heathrow. Check departure boards carefully and look at the destination shown on each arriving train.

• Grade II listed Charles Holden 1930s station building
• Main entrance on Gunnersbury Lane
• Ticket machines and Oyster top-up facilities
• Oyster and contactless payment throughout
• Real-time departure screens for District and Piccadilly lines
• Open-air platform with substantial canopy shelter
• Bus stops on Gunnersbury Lane and Bollo Lane
• Taxi rank outside the station entrance
• Santander Cycles docking station nearby
• CCTV throughout; staffed at all operating hours
• Car park adjacent to the station

Gunnersbury Park & Museum 0.5 miles

A large Victorian park set around a former Rothschild family mansion, Gunnersbury Park is a popular local green space with open fields, a lake, sports facilities, and a recently restored museum telling the history of the estate and the surrounding area. The museum building itself — a handsome early nineteenth-century house — is free to enter, and the park is open all year. A pleasant destination for a morning or afternoon away from the city bustle.

Kew Gardens 3 stops east on District line

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are just three District line stops east at Kew Gardens station. With 326 acres of world-class botanical gardens, historic glasshouses, royal pleasure grounds, and the world’s largest living plant collection, Kew is one of London’s greatest day-trip destinations and easily reachable from Acton Town.

Chiswick & the River Thames via District line, 2 stops

Chiswick, easily reached by District line, offers a beautiful riverside walk along the Thames path, the historic Hogarth’s House (former home of the great English satirist William Hogarth), Chiswick House and Gardens (a magnificent eighteenth-century Palladian villa with formal gardens), and a thriving local independent restaurant and pub scene on Chiswick High Road.

Richmond Park via District line to Richmond

One of London’s largest royal parks and a National Nature Reserve, Richmond Park is home to 630 free-roaming deer, ancient woodland, and outstanding views. Reachable by District line to Richmond station, then a short walk or bus ride to the park gates.

Heathrow Airport 25 min by Piccadilly line

For air travellers, Acton Town’s direct Piccadilly line connection to all Heathrow terminals makes it an excellent starting point for airport journeys from this part of west London, without the need to change trains.

Acton town centre 0.7 miles

Acton High Street has a good selection of local shops, restaurants, and the Aeronaut — a celebrated entertainment pub and events venue hosting weekly circus, burlesque, comedy, and live music nights in a beautifully decorated Victorian setting.

Novotel London West — Hammersmith, 3 stops east

A large four-star hotel near Hammersmith with good facilities and easy Piccadilly and District line connections, offering comfortable accommodation for visitors using Acton Town as a base for west London or Heathrow journeys.

Premier Inn London Kew Bridge — Brentford, approx. 2 miles

A reliable, well-priced option near Kew Bridge, convenient for both Kew Gardens and Acton Town, with easy access to the District line for central London and Heathrow connections.

Holiday Inn London — Brentford Lock, approx. 2 miles

A modern hotel on the Grand Union Canal in Brentford, well placed for Kew Gardens, the Musical Museum, and Syon Park, with bus connections to Acton Town station.

Travelodge London Chiswick — Chiswick, 2 stops east

An affordable Travelodge on Chiswick High Road, convenient for both Chiswick’s restaurants and the District line for onward journeys from Acton Town.

Acton High Street restaurants 0.7 miles

Acton’s High Street offers a wide and affordable variety of restaurants reflecting the area’s multicultural character — Turkish, Polish, South Asian, Chinese, West African, and Caribbean cuisines are all strongly represented at accessible prices.

The Aeronaut food 0.7 miles

As well as its acclaimed entertainment programme, the Aeronaut serves food throughout the week in a lively, welcoming atmosphere — a great combination of a good meal and a show.

Chiswick High Road restaurants (2 stops east)

Chiswick High Road is one of west London’s most pleasant dining strips, with a good range of independent restaurants, gastro-pubs, and wine bars complemented by the riverside setting.

Ealing Broadway dining (via District line)

Ealing Broadway has a broad selection of restaurants and chain dining options, easily reached by District line from Acton Town in a few minutes.

The Aeronaut — Acton High Street 0.7 miles

Acclaimed for its weekly programme of circus, burlesque, comedy, and live music in a beautifully decorated Victorian pub space — one of west London’s most distinctive and enjoyable evenings out.

Kew Gardens seasonal events 3 stops east on District line

The Royal Botanic Gardens host a year-round programme of cultural events including the Orchid Festival, summer outdoor concerts, and the Christmas Garden illuminations — all easily reached by District line from Acton Town.

Chiswick House events 2 stops east

Chiswick House and Gardens hosts outdoor cinema screenings, summer concerts, and seasonal events in the magnificent setting of a Palladian villa and its beautifully restored formal gardens.

Ealing Studios & Film Culture (via District line)

Ealing Studios, one of the world’s oldest working film studios and home of the classic Ealing Comedies, is accessible via the District line towards Ealing Broadway. Occasional tours and events celebrate the studio’s remarkable film heritage.