The English capital is a cosmopolitan city and a major commercial centre. Those who like its style return to London time and time again, for there is always something new in a city which makes space for culture, sport and shopping. England excels at all three.

London rightly claims a place in the premier league of "world cities" and you'll find a superb range of galleries and museums - and, amazingly, entrance to many of the latter is free. But not everywhere in London plays the global card. Head out of the centre to places like Hampstead, Greenwich and Chelsea to discover communities with a very "local" feel. Similarly, the lovely Thamesside walks at Chiswick or Richmond evoke a very different England, where it's hard to credit that one is merely a few kilometres from the busy heart of London life.

Londoners have been taking the train for over 180 years, and railways have shaped the modern metropolis. No other European city can boast a dozen main-line termini with such a striking variety of styles. Among London’s finest are Paddington, Marylebone and St Pancras.

St Pancras International is the London station from which Eurostar trains depart for Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and, in summer, also for the Rhône Valley and Provence. In the winter sports season, there are even direct trains from St Pancras to the French Alps.

If you are planning journeys within Britain, check carefully from which of the London stations your train departs. It can be complicated. The direct daytime trains to the Scottish Highlands, for example, leave from King's Cross station while the overnight services to Scotland all leave from Euston.

London has enough famous sights to fill a lifetime. But, if you are keen to understand England and the English, it’s important to explore beyond the city. There is some great countryside within easy reach of the capital, among them the Weald, the Cotswolds, Chilterns and the Thames Valley. An excellent network of local and regional trains make these areas easy to reach. Loco2 can sell tickets for almost any journey within Great Britain.