There's nothing wrong with starting now, so long as you're not borrowing vast sums of money and understanding that the major airlines will not be ringing you up offering a start on their shiny jets as soon as you finish your IR.
Read LASORs on the CAA SRG site. That will tell you the hours and experience etc required for each license.
Hours are gold. Note, you cannot get paid to fly on a PPL. You can cost share etc. What's available? Well, you can tow gliders (caveat - most clubs want you to be an active gliding member), parachute drop (same caveat), shift aeroplanes to maintenance etc.
Many folks go on a flying holiday to somewhere interesting. It's easy to burn holes in the sky but to give yourself a real challenge go somewhere different.
What you are trying to gain is decision making ability and confidence to respond to challenges outside your comfort zone.
Try to avoid circuit bashing post license. (If it's to push your cross wind experience, fine.)
I did every thing part time and over a long period of time. Now fly a bizjet. Not interested in airlines
