I did a 5 day intensive course a few years back at Husbands Bosworth (
http://www.thesoaringcentre.co.uk).
The instruction was excellent (Hissing Sid is definately recommended), the facilities very good and you can hire a caravan or stay in a bunk room for the duration of your course very cheaply I believe.
It's true that you are meant to help out with ground handling and other tasks but that's all part of the culture. It's very different from doing a PPL where you turn up for your lesson and leave once it is finished. Gliding is more sociable and you tend to make friends very quickly. There are days when you turn up for 5 hours and maybe get a 15 minute flight but you tend to find yourself kept busy driving tractors, launching gliders etc. and the whole gliding experience far outweighs any negative aspects.
It's also very cheap once you have gained experience which is an obvious bonus!
Cheers,
Sywell-Flyer
I should have said, take a look at the gliding club in Fayence in the South of France (
http://www.aapca.net/Welcome1/Home1/home.htm). I took a flight there earlier this year which was absolutely fantastic. You have mountains on one side and views of Nice, Cannes and St Tropez on the other all at the same time.
Mountain flying is out of this world and something that you will struggle to get in England. Flying with the end of your wing 50-100ft from the mountainside knowing that you are a few miles from the airfield gives you a feeling that you just can\'t describe!
Cheers,
Sywell-Flyer