Nice areas commutable from London

[jampots]

My friend may be moving back from US (hopefully) and would be looking for a nice area to bring her 3(+1) children up. Her dh would be working probably in London so any ideas of suitable areas with good schools, and lots for children to do in terms of drama, basketball, football, etc as they have a busy schedule over in the US and they are keen to keep it up here.

What about Dulwich, it's not really my sort of place (I'm more urban), but it's very family oriented and reminds me a bit of the New York commuter belt.

At bit further out would be places like Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, St Albans or the Thames to the West of London (Barnes/Chiswick/Kingston/Richmond).

in the east - Chelmsford area - lots of little villages around very close to Chelmsford for all those activities - train straight to Liverpool Street