Clubs west of London
KurtW
Nowhere within 50 miles of London is going to be cheap.
On the West of London, White Waltham seems to be a very nice club and has the best clubhouse in the business, but membership subs are expensive and it has noise abatement issues.
The outfits at Blackbushe and Booker are also good but dear and there is no club atmosphere.
Pilot Centre at Denham seems to offer good training in nice aircraft, but there is little club atmosphere there.
Firecrest Club at Elstree is run by volunteers and very reasonably priced. There is club atmosphere there, but they have only an office and no clubhouse. I suggest you have a look at that one.
Alan Mann at Fairoaks is expensive and there is no club atmosphere.
Finally, avoid the little London Transport Flying Club at Fairoaks, (which is open to all comers and not just LT staff). They only have two Warriors, one old the other pre-historic and only two part time instructors, but their prices are as high as anywhere else. Not recommended.
Broomstick.