I lived just outside London for about 2 years. Part of that time in beautiful Basildon, Essex. And part of that time in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
I like London and England in general, but I wasn't all that happy when I lived there. But on the upside it did kind start the ball rolling for 13 years of travelling and living in all sorts of far-flung places for work and I kind of went from a recluse to a semi-functional human being in that time. I don't know what would have happened to me if I'd taken the safer path and stayed in Sydney.
My favourite thing in London, by far, is the British Museum. And my favourite day trip out of London is the Imperial Air Museum (or whatever it is called) at Duxford. I have plans to return for a visit at some stage.