ACTON (IRON), a parish partly in the lower division of the hundred of GRUMBALD'S-ASH, but chiefly in the lower division of the hundred of THORNBURY, county of GLOUCESTER, 3 miles (W.N.W.) from Chipping-Sodbury, containing 1122 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Gloucester, rated in the king's books at £16. 10., and in the patronage of the Dean and Canons of Christ Church, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. James, is in the latest style of English architecture: the interior contains the tomb of Robert Poyntz, who is said to have erected the tower. In the churchyard there is a beautiful cross, raised on arches, but much mutilated. The parish derives the prefix to its name from some iron-works which formerly existed here. Fairs for cattle, horses, pigs, and cheese, are held on April 25th and September 13th.