Winifred Barbara Acworth was born in Hendon, Middlesex, England on 24 December 1895. She studied at Bedford College for Women, London University, in 1913-1914 and at the University of Cambridge where she was awarded an M.A. She subsequently practised as an architect in London. During the 1930s she was in partnership with Adrian Albert van Montagu (1901-1894 as Ackworth & Montagu. They had an office at 37 Gordon Square, London.
Acworth was the author of Trees for Our Towns: Planting and Care of Trees, Tree Preservation Orders, Treesfor Road and Street Planting, Trees for Open Spaces, Upright Trees, Trees Little Used in Towns (1959).
She was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1934. Her address was given as 60 Gower Street, Holborn, London in 1930 and 1936; St Pancras, London in 1939; Hampstead, London in 1947 and 1960; Old Oak Place, Frognal, London in 1950; and 65 Frognal in 1962 and 1983. She died in Camden, London on 10 May 1983.
Nevilles Court, Dollis Hill Lane, London, with Adrian Albert van Montagu (early 1930s).
Ackworth, W. Barbara. Trees for our towns. London: Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, [1952]