Acton, Wrexham

Community in Wrexham County Borough, Wales

Human settlement in Wales

Acton

* Welsh: Gwaunyterfyn / Acton

A portion of 'Acton Park' estate gates, built 1820

Acton

Location within Wrexham

Population| 13,479 (2011 Census)[1]
OS grid reference| SJ342519
Principal area|

* Wrexham

Preserved county|

* Clwyd

Country| Wales
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| WREXHAM
Postcode district| LL12
Postcode district| LL13
Dialling code| 01978
Police| North Wales
Fire| North Wales
Ambulance| Welsh
UK Parliament|

* Wrexham

Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament|

* Wrexham

List of places

Wales
Wrexham

53°03′39″N 2°58′50″W﻿ / ﻿53.0607°N 2.9805°W﻿ / 53.0607; -2.9805

Map of the community

Acton (Welsh: Gwaunyterfyn) is a suburb and community in Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough, Wales. It spans the north-eastern part of Wrexham. The area is largely residential and at its centre, lies Acton Park (Welsh: Parc Gwaunyterfyn / Parc Acton), the location of the former Acton Hall.

## History and geography

[edit]

The name 'Acton' is thought to have been a corruption of 'Oak Town'.[2] The English name is at odds with the field names making up the demesne land of the former Acton Park estate which were overwhelmingly Welsh in origin e.g. 'Cae Clomendu' (pigeon house field).[3] The area is known in Welsh as 'Gwaunyterfyn' (boundary meadow or moor).

Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor granted land in this area to the monks of Valle Crucis Abbey in 1202 and the charters of Valle Crucis for 1200 and 1222 mention abbey lands at 'Actun'.[3] A 1289 survey of Wrexham townships includes 'Actone vachan' (Acton Fechan – 103 statute acres) and 'Acton vaur' (Acton Fawr – 953 statute acres).[2] By the late 16th century, much of the township had become part of the 'Acton Park' estate of the Jeffreys family. The family based itself at Acton Hall, which was recorded as having 11 hearths in 1670, making it one of the largest houses in the Wrexham area.[2]

Acton was originally one of the townships of the parish of Wrexham (in 1886, the township was transferred to the new ecclesiastical parish of Rhosddu).[4] Under the civil administration, the civil parish of Acton, based on the old township's boundaries, was part of the Wrexham Rural District, but was abolished in 1935 and parts were transferred to the civil parishes of Bieston and Wrexham Regis. All the latter structures were abolished under the terms of the Local Government Act 1972.

In 1985, a Boundary Commission review led to the creation of four new community areas within Wrexham itself, Acton, Rhosddu, Offa, and Caia Park, each of which would have their own community council.[5]

The community of Acton covers approximately 3.34 square kilometres (1.29 square miles) and comprises the electoral divisions (wards) of Acton (Acton Central & Acton Park), Borras Park, Little Acton, Maesydre and Rhosnesni. The southernmost tip of the community area is on the corner of Chester Street and Charles Street in the city centre, and is bounded by Chester Road to the west, Holt Road to the south-east and the Llanypwll link road (A5156) to the north-east. At the 2001 census, it was the most populous community[6] in the county borough with 12,960 people in 5,412 households.[7]

The area neighbours the communities of Rhosddu to the west, Caia Park to the south, Holt to the east and Gresford to the north.

## Acton Park

[edit]

At the geographical centre of Acton lies Acton Park, the location of the former Acton Hall. The central feature of the park is the lake. It was originally constructed using puddled clay in the 18th century but during the 1970s, the pond was drained and butyl lined. Fishing is popular on the lake with platforms provided for anglers. (The lake is closed for fishing during the Wildfowl nesting period). A wetland area exists and supports a diverse range of wildlife.

A designated area managed to benefit wildlife as one of the Wrexham Bio-diversity Action Plan 'Urban Green Space' areas. Native wild meadow flowers have been planted within the existing grassed areas to assist in providing habitats for insects and other fauna, increasing the bio-diversity of the parkland.

In 2008, Wrexham County Borough Council secured Heritage Lottery Funding to allow them to prepare design proposals for the refurbishment of the park, the ideas that have been drawn up so far are in the early stages but they include a Discovery Centre, Lakeside Pavilion and extending the bowling greens.

A nearly 500-year-old sweet chestnut tree in the park was voted UK's Tree of the Year in 2023.[8]

### Estate history

[edit]

The historic Acton Park, November 2005.

The Acton estate has passed through several owners throughout the years. The prominent Jeffreys family (motto Pob dawn o Dduw, "Every Gift from God"), had their seat at Acton Hall in the 17th century, the family's prosperity having been founded by Anglesey circuit judge John Jeffreys (d. 1622). Jeffreys had built up the estate by expanding and consolidating the possessions of the descendants of the Trevor family in the Wrexham common fields.[9]

The most famous member of the family was George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, (15 May 1645 - 18 April 1689), better known as Judge Jeffreys or "The Hanging Judge", who was born in Acton. He became notorious after the severe punishments he handed down at the trials of the supporters of the Duke of Monmouth during the reign of King James II.

In 1680 he became Chief Justice of Chester, and later Lord Chief Justice of England, despite Charles II reportedly damning Jeffreys' character:

"He has no learning, no sense, no manners and has more impudence than ten street walkers." In 1688 when James II fled the country, Jeffreys also tried to flee, but was arrested in Wapping and placed in the Tower of London "for his own safety", because the mob was outrageous against him. He died there the following year.[10]
Acton Park Gorsedd Stones

Sir Griffith Jeffreys (Judge Jeffreys' nephew) rebuilt the family home between 1687 - 1695. His wife Dame Dorothy set up a charity in her will which helped found many of the first schools in Wrexham.

The estate was eventually sold by the Jeffreys family in 1747. After the Jeffreys the house belonged to Philip Egerton and then Ellis Yonge before being purchased by Sir Foster Cunliffe, 3rd Baronet, for £27,000.

The parkland was originally laid out in 1785 by Sir Foster Cunliffe, who also added a new wing to the hall, designed by James Wyatt. Many of the mature specimen trees which survive today were planted at this time and the general park layout and positioning of the lake were part of the original design.

Later generations did little to improve the property. Sir Robert Henry Cunliffe, 4th Baronet (1785–1859), stuccoed the walls of the house, while Sir Robert Alfred Cunliffe (1839–1905), faced it with stone in such a way that the house seemed to be of three different styles - none matching the other. After the death of Sir Foster Cunliffe, 6th Baronet (1875–1916) in World War I, the estate was bought in 1917 by Sir Bernard Oppenheimer. The Denbighshire Hussars were billeted in the house and grounds at that time. Oppenheimer opened a diamond cutting training school and workshop in the grounds of Acton Park. The scheme was designed to ensure jobs for ex-servicemen. It was the 'Homes Fit For Heroes' ethos in action, but Sir Bernard's death in 1921 led to the workshop closing.[11]

Acton Park Lake

Nine Acre Field and sixty acres by Rhosnesni Lane were bought by the Borough Council. Patrick Abercrombie was commissioned to design a quality housing scheme for the sixty acres. Building started in 1920, with a commemorative foundation stone being laid at Cilcen Grove by Mayor Thomas Sauvage J.P on 30 July 1920. Abercrombie's design survives to this day. The rest of the estate was turned into smallholdings for ex-soldiers. There were seven market garden and four dairy holdings.[citation needed]

Alderman William Aston purchased the house and grounds on the death of Sir Bernard. His initial plan to turn the hall into a technical school never took off. Instead the hall became a showroom and store for Aston's furniture company. The grounds were opened to the public.[citation needed]

In 1939 the War Office requisitioned Acton Park and Nissen huts were erected in the grounds for the soldiers while the officers were billeted in the house. The Lancashire Fusiliers, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the South Wales Borderers and the Gurkhas were just a few of the regiments who stayed at Acton during the Second World War.[citation needed]

In 1943 the American 33rd Signals Construction Battalion and 400th Armoured Field Artillery Battalion were billeted at Acton Park. Wrexham was host to men from Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana. Eagles Meadow became their vehicle store, the Butter Market their canteen, Acton School Hall the venue for their dances and chewing gum was sold at the US Army store in Garden Village. The US Army was still segregated and the black soldiers were billeted at 'The Studio' by the junction of Chester Road and Grove Road.[citation needed]

Acton Park Japanese Garden

The house just survived occupation by the US Army, but in a very poor state. The north wing was demolished just after the war. People plundered the park for firewood in the tough years of rationing in 1945-47.[citation needed]

In 1947 the Council was presented with the hall and parklands by, the then owner, Alderman William Aston. By then the grounds had become very overgrown and a programme of restoration was implemented. However, by 1954 the house was still in a dilapidated condition. Alderman Hampson campaigned for the house to be saved as the city's museum. He failed and the demolition team set to work in August 1954.[citation needed]

Nothing remains of the house today, only the gateway with its Four Dogs, the lodges and parts of the original stone boundary wall are left.[citation needed]

The grounds of Acton Hall were opened to the public as a pleasure garden shortly after the land was bought in the 1920s.[2] The park now features a bowling green, tennis courts, children's play areas, a Japanese garden and a lake with abundant wildlife. There is also a Gorsedd, a circle of standing stones, to mark the site of the dedication ceremony for the 1977 National Eisteddfod, which was held on nearby Borras Airfield.[citation needed]

### Welsh Cup Final

[edit]

In 1878 the Racecourse was unavailable as a venue for the first Welsh Cup Final, so Sir Robert Cunliffe provided land measuring 110 metres (120 yards) x 69 metres (75 yards) within Acton Park[12] as a playing field for the final.[citation needed]

### Housing

[edit]

Acton Hall, rebuilt in modern materials in 2005

From 30 July 1920 until 1970, about half of the park was developed as an area for housing. The remaining 17 hectares (42 acres) of the original estate forms the majority of the present day park. The site of the original hall had been in use for several years as a waste disposal site for local residents, but in 2005 a residential development was built in the style of the original hall consisting mainly of flats with a small number of houses within the original boundaries of Acton Hall.[citation needed]

## Governance

[edit]

The community is divided into five electoral wards – Acton, Borras, Little Acton, Maesydre and Rhosnesni – which each elect a councillor to Wrexham County Borough Council.[13]

There is also an elected community council with 16 community councillors representing six community wards[14] (the Acton county ward being subdivided into Acton Central and Acton Park).

## Public houses

[edit]

* The Acton Park
* The Four Dogs
* The Cunliffe Arms
* The Gate Hangs High

## Schools

[edit]

* Acton Park Primary School[15]
* Alexandra Primary School[15]
* Borras Park CP School[16]
* Rhosnesni High School[17]
* Barkers Lane Community Primary School[18]

## Churches

[edit]

* St Margaret's Church (not actually in Acton, but serves part of the Acton community)
* St John's Church
* Borras Park Evangelical Church
* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Community population 2011". Retrieved 17 November 2015.
2. ^ a b c d Williams, W. Alister. (2001). The encyclopædia of Wrexham. Wrexham: Bridge Books. ISBN 1-872424-66-X. OCLC 49330782.
3. ^ a b A History of Wrexham, Denbighshire. Dodd, A. H. (Arthur Herbert), 1891-1975., Wrexham Maelor (Wales). Borough Council. Wrexham: Published for the Wrexham Borough Council ... [by Bridge Books]. 1989. ISBN 1-872424-01-5. OCLC 59816349.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: others (link)
4. ^ Wrexham, GENUKI
5. ^ The Wrexham Maelor (Communities) Order 1985, HMSO, 1985, ISBN 978-0-11-056089-2
6. ^ Office for National Statistics Thematic Map [1](Retrieved January 2011)
7. ^ Office for National Statistics [2] (Retrieved January 2011)
8. ^ Thamayanthi McAllister (18 October 2023). "Tree of the Year 2023: Wrexham's sweet chestnut wins competition". BBC News. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
9. ^ George Jeffereys biography [3] National Library of Wales
10. ^ George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys. (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from [4] January 2011
11. ^ Wrexham Council Website [5] (Retrieved January 2011)
12. ^ The History of the Welsh Cup 1877-1993 by Ian Garland (1991) ISBN 1-872424-37-6.
13. ^ "Election maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
14. ^ "Council Members". Acton Community Council. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
15. ^ a b "Alexandra School | Wrexham County Borough Council". beta.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
16. ^ "Borras Park CP School | Wrexham County Borough Council". beta.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
17. ^ "Rhosnesni High School | Wrexham County Borough Council". beta.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
18. ^ "Barkers Lane School | Wrexham County Borough Council". beta.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Acton Community Council Website
* Photo of Acton Hall
* BBC on Judge Jeffreys

* v
* t
* e

City of Wrexham

* Wrexham County Borough

About Wrexham|

* History
* Wrexham A.F.C.
* Sport
* Industrial heritage
* Parks and open spaces
* Previous city status bids (successful bid)
* Built-up area
* University
* Former police station
* Cemetery
* Library

Central areas and streets|

* Charles Street
* Chester Street
* Church Street
* College Street
* Fairy Road
* Grosvenor Road
* Grove Road
* Salisbury Park
* Chapel Street
* Salisbury Road
* Temple Row

Areas|

* Acton
* Rhosddu
* Rhosrobin
* Borras Park
* Erddig
* Hightown
* Caia Park
* Plas Coch
* Island Green
* Queen's Square
* Bryn Offa
* City Centre
* Wrexham Industrial Estate

Local council electoral wards|

* Acton and Maesydre
* Borras Park
* Brynyffynnon
* Cartrefle
* Erddig
* Garden Village
* Grosvenor
* Gwenfro
* Hermitage
* Little Acton
* Offa
* Queensway
* Rhosnesni
* Smithfield
* Stansty
* Whitegate

* v
* t
* e

Wrexham County Borough

* Wrexham County Borough Council

Principal settlements|

* Chirk
* Wrexham (Built-up area)

Communities|

* Abenbury
* Acton
* Bangor-on-Dee
* Bronington
* Broughton
* Brymbo
* Caia Park
* Cefn
* Ceiriog Ucha
* Chirk
* Coedpoeth
* Erbistock
* Esclusham
* Glyntraian
* Gresford
* Gwersyllt
* Hanmer
* Holt
* Isycoed
* Llangollen Rural
* Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog
* Llay
* Maelor South
* Marchwiel
* Minera
* Offa
* Overton
* Pen-y-cae
* Rhosddu
* Rhosllanerchrugog
* Rossett
* Ruabon
* Sesswick
* Willington Worthenbury

Other villages and areas|

* Aberoer
* Acrefair
* Arowry
* Bersham
* Bettisfield
* Borras
* Borras Park
* Bowling Bank
* Bradley
* Bryn Offa
* Brynteg
* Burton
* Bwlchgwyn
* Caego
* Cefn Mawr
* Ceiriog Valley
* Chapel Street
* Charles Street
* Chester Street
* Church Street
* College Street
* Cross Lanes
* Fairy Road
* Froncysyllte
* Garden Village
* Grosvenor Road
* Grove Road
* Glyn Ceiriog
* Gwynfryn
* Halghton
* Hightown
* Horseman's Green
* Island Green
* Johnstown
* Knolton
* Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog
* Llan-y-pwll
* Llwyneinion
* Llwynmawr
* Maelor
* Maelor Saesneg
* Marford
* Moss
* Newbridge
* New Brighton
* New Broughton
* Pandy (Ceiriog)
* Pandy (Gwersyllt)
* Pant
* Penley
* Pentre Broughton
* Pentre Bychan
* Pentre Maelor
* Plas Coch
* Plas Madoc
* Ponciau
* Pontfadog
* Queen's Square
* Rhosnesni
* Rhosrobin
* Rhostyllen
* Rhosymedre
* Ridleywood
* Salisbury Park/Road
* Southsea
* Stansty
* Summerhill
* Sydallt
* Tanyfron
* Temple Row
* Tregeiriog
* Trevor
* Tybroughton
* Wrexham Industrial Estate
* Wrexham City Centre
* Whitewell

Universities and colleges|

* Coleg Cambria (Yale College)
* Wrexham University
* School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University

Buildings and structures|

* 2 Grosvenor Road
* Abbotsfield
* All Saints' Church, Gresford
* Bangor-on-Dee Bridge
* Bangor-on-Dee racecourse
* Bersham Ironworks
* Bridge End Inn
* Brynkinalt Hall
* Butchers' Market
* Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows
* Cefn Viaduct
* Central Arcade
* Chirk Aqueduct
* Chirk Viaduct
* Chirk War Memorial
* County Buildings
* Croesnewydd Hall
* Eagles Meadow
* Elephant and Castle
* Erddig
* Feathers Hotel
* The Gelli
* Halghton Hall
* Hightown Barracks
* HM Prison Berwyn
* Horse and Jockey
* Holt Bridge
* General Market
* Gresford Methodist Church
* Grosvenor Lodge
* Grove Park School
* Iscoyd Park
* Marchwiel Hall
* Nags Head (Wrexham)
* Offa's Dyke (part)
* Old Carnegie Library
* Old Wrexham Infirmary
* Overton Arcade
* Pant-yr-Ochain
* Pen-y-Lan Hall
* Pont Cysyllte
* Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
* Poyser Street drill hall
* Rossett Presbyterian Chapel
* Racecourse Ground
* Rossett Hall
* Saith Seren
* Soames Brewery Chimney
* St David's Welsh Church
* St Deiniol's Church
* St Giles' Church
* St Mary's Church (Chirk)
* St Mary's Church (Ruabon)
* The Midland
* Talbot Hotel
* Trevalyn Hall
* Trinity Presbyterian Church
* Tudor Court
* Turf Hotel
* Tŷ Pawb
* Wat's Dyke (part)
* Waking the Dragon (proposed)
* War Memorial Hospital
* Waterworld
* Wrexham bus station
* Wrexham Cemetery
* Wrexham Lager Brewery
* Wrexham Library
* Wrexham Guildhall
* Wrexham Maelor Hospital
* Wrexham Police Station (1973–2020)
* Wynn Hall
* Wynnstay
* Wynnstay Arms (Ruabon)
* Wynnstay Arms (Wrexham)
* Xplore!

| Castles|

* Chirk Castle
* Holt Castle
* The Rofft (former)

|

Geography|

* Berwyn range
* Ceiriog Valley
* Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB
* Clywedog Trail
* Craig Berwyn
* Esclusham Mountain
* Fenn's Moss
* Nant-y-Ffrith
* Ruabon Moors

| Rivers|

* Alyn
* Cegidog
* Ceiriog
* Clywedog
* Dee
* Eitha
* Gwenfro
* Nant-y-Ffrith
* Wych Brook

|

Reservoirs and lakes|

* Acton Park Lake
* Cae Llwyd Reservoir
* Chirk Castle Lake
* Fenn's Bank Mere
* Gresford Flash
* Hanmer Mere
* Llyn Bedydd
* Monk's Pool
* Pant-yr-ochain Lake
* Penycae Top Reservoir
* Ty Mawr Reservoir
* Wynnstay Park Lake

Transport|

* Wrexham bus station
* A5 road
* A483 road
* A525 road
* A528 road
* A541 road
* B5101 road
* Chester and Wrexham Turnpike (former)
* Llangollen Canal
* Trevor Basin
* Wrexham & Shropshire (former)
* North Wales Metro (part)

| Railway lines|

* Borderlands line
* Shrewsbury to Chester line

|

Former lines|

* Glyn Valley Tramway (re-opening proposed)
* Moss Valley Branch
* Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway
* Wrexham and Minera Railway
* Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway
* Croes Newydd (former)
* Former stations

Railway stations|

* Chirk railway station
* Gwersyllt railway station
* Ruabon railway station
* Wrexham Central railway station
* Wrexham General railway station

Proposed stations
Wrexham North railway station
Wrexham South railway station

Media and events|

* Calon FM
* Capital North West and North Wales
* Heart North Wales
* Capital Cymru (some broadcasts)
* Smooth Wales (some broadcasts)
* MuxCo (radio operator)
* Wrexham-Rhos transmitting station
* Marcher Radio Group (former)
* BBC Cymru Wales (local studios)
* The Leader newspaper
* Wales Comic Con (2008–2019; 2022)
* Focus Wales
* Eisteddfoddau
* 1876
* 1888
* 1912
* 1933
* 1945
* 1961
* 1977
* 2011
* 2025

Topics|

* Parliamentary constituencies
* Schools
* City parks and open spaces
* Council elections
* electoral wards
* SSSIs
* Country houses
* Listed buildings
* Grade I
* Grade II*
* Grade II
* Scheduled monuments
* Listed parks and gardens
* History
* Former RAF Wrexham
* Lord Lieutenants
* High Sheriffs
* Mayor
* Museums
* Museum
* Archives
* National Football Museum
* Wrexham Library
* Wrexham Guildhall
* Public art
* Wrexham Art School
* Wrexham A.F.C.
* Women
* Wrexham RFC

* Preserved county of Clwyd
* Historic counties of Denbighshire and Flintshire

* v
* t
* e

Parks and open spaces in Wrexham

within Wrexham|

* Acton Park
* Bellevue Park
* Erddig Park
* Llwyn Isaf

within Wrexham County Borough|

* Alyn Waters Country Park
* Bonc-yr-Hafod Country Park
* Brynkinalt Park
* Tŷ Mawr Country Park
* Iscoyd Park
* Minera Lead Mines Country Park
* Moss Valley Country Park
* Nant Mill Visitor Centre
* Ponciau Banks Park
* Stryt Las Park

Other|

* Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB (part)
* Mersley Park (former)
* Registered parks and gardens

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