Acton’s Lost Cinemas - a walking tour

Until the ActOne cinema opened in 2021 on the High Street, Acton hadn't had its own cinema since the early 1990s but back in the 1940s, when cinema-going in Britain was at its peak, the area boasted five local cinemas all within walking distance of each other.

Some of these lost cinemas were grand picture palaces built in the 1920s, other smaller ones that opened in the silent era became ‘flea-pits’ as World War II approached. Acton also boasted two 1930s 'super-cinemas’; you’ll have a chance to see inside the surviving one during the tour and find out which Hollywood star paid it a visit in the 1950s.

We’ll also visit Acton’s newest cinema, ActOne, and hear how some of the cinema-going traditions of the past still exist today.

The walk lasts about an hour and a half and starts outside St Mary’s church on King Street (a 10-minute walk from both Acton Town underground and Acton Central overground stations). The walk ends on Acton High Street near Birkbeck Road.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A wonderful look at the cinemas of Acton past and present and how social changes have affected the way in which we have viewed film in this part of London over the past 120 years. Definitely recommended."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Nigel's guided tour of Acton's lost cinemas really brought to life the golden era of cinema going. His passion for the subject plus incredible research made for both a fun and informative morning."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Nigel’s Lost Cinemas of Acton tour is excellent. A rich mix of social history, cinema knowledge and fascinating facts. He makes you look at the familiar in a whole new way. Highly recommended."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Nigel is a well -versed guide and has done extensive research. I have lived in Acton for 10 years and knew nothing of its cinema history. You don't need to be a cinema fan for this tour. It's a social commentary on the times."

Reviews originally posted on TripAdvisor and Google. If you've enjoyed one of my tours please add your own review.

Host or Publisher Nigel Smith - Guided Walking Tours