There is no VFR at night because the CAA say so.
That doesn't mean you can't fly at night, and navigate using towns/roads/etc. It just means that, no matter what method of navigation you use, you have to do it under IFR if you're outside controlled airspace. Which means you have to fly at the correct quadrantal levels if you're above 3000', and you have to be at least 1000' above the nearest obstacle within 5nm of your track.
You do, of course, have to remain clear of clouds and in sight of the surface, even though you're IFR, because that's a restriction on your license which is more restricting than the rules of IFR.
In answer to the last question, no, carrying pax does not affect whether you can fly legally at night without the qualification. The only time pax makes a difference is for your currency (three t/os and landings as sole manipulator of the controls in the last 90 days, one of which must be at night, if you want to carry pax).
FFF
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