Thanks everyone for the input; this is really helpful! Especially re. Damyns Hall - as I say, I couldn't find any other posts about people learning there didn't have much to go on. I do like the idea of learning there, though, so given the vouches for it above I'll definitely check it out for a trial lesson as well as North Weald
Momoe how did you find doing such an intensive course? Did you have enough time for stuff to "sink in"? (getting the time off from my day job makes it a no-go for me, but I'm curious nonetheless!)