Two rather different choices:-. .. .(1) West london Aero Club at White Waltham: this is a large flying club/school, just off the M4 by Maidenhead, an hour or less by car from Chelsea. There's a traditional grass airfield, an atmospheric clubhouse, and lots of interesting vintage and aerobatic aircraft sitting or moving around. The school itself is well organised, operates the usual PA-28 Warriors and has lots of them.. .. .(2) Skysport: small enthusiasts' club operating from North Weald and Elstree, not primarily dedicated to PPL training but possessed of (a) classic British trainers: Beagle Pups and a Bulldog, which are much more fun to learn in than a Piper or Cessna, and (b) very good instructors, none of whom are hour builders. [bias confession: I learned with this bunch]. .. .Wycombe, mentioned above, is a well organised and well maintained airfield, with two generally well regarded flying schools. Creates a less ramshackle first impression than many flying clubs.. .. .Cabair are a chain of flying schools with several branches. They are perhaps more focussed on training those with aspirations to professional licences rather than on enthusiastic recrational flyers. At Denham you can compare and contrast a Cabair branch on one side of the field with a more clubby flying club on the other.. .. .If it's just a trial lesson you're after, especially as a present, Waltham may offer the best overall day out. If you are thinking of getting a PPL, it's better to visit all of the airfields mentioned, and others besides, to form your own views.