Hi Phrog, and welcome! Here in Vermont, I'm about a day's drive closer to you than I am to the UK. Except i can't drive there!
If it appeals to you, another path might be to get copy of Dave Gingery's book on building a charcoal furnace for melting metal, and then his book on building a lathe with that furnace. That's what I did to start.
It gives you practice in practically every aspect of metalworking, from casting to sheet metal, to riveting, turning, scraping, measuring, grinding lathe tools, etc, and it also solves the "what should my first project be?" question rather usefully and enjoyably.
I think building a lathe from scratch is a pretty good way to learn about how to use one, what it is, where they came from, and the amazing things you can do with very little. For instance, only a faceplate, centers, and angle plates -- all of which you make.
Having said that, also absolutely do not pass up the opportunity to connect with a metalworking club if one is near you.
Anyway, I'm sure you'll have fun and learn an immense amount no matter how you start.