GrassStrip
Depending on where in the east you are inbound from, if you are north of line SAM VOR-MID VOR, you may get something from Farnborough, if you are south of it, probably not.
If you want to cross the Solent CTA, remember you, and you alone, are responsible for contacting Solent in sufficient time to pass your details and obtain a crossing clearance. As Solent are increasingly busy with IFR traffic, always have a contingency plan in place to route around, either north or south.
From my own experience, Solent Controllers will not unreasonably refuse a crossing, ie they will only do so if there is too much traffic conflicting with you, which would then require you to hold clear for an inordinate amount of time.
Also from experience, if you can maintain VMC at 2500 FT or above, it appears to increases their ability to offer a crossing. Apparently at this height you don't conflict with their circuit and joiners/leavers.
After leaving Solent to the west, you can always try Bournemouth for a LARS or FIS.
WR
Don\'t think that Evil J is a Solent Controller, he\'s apparently somewhere where he\'s not vectoring six or more IFR aircraft, in a very small CTA, trying to keep them apart and inside controlled airspace (the latter is something I worry about with 80+ people sat behind me). The last thing a Solent controller wants is the frequency blocked by traffic that doesn\'t need to call, distracting him/her from their primary task, ie providing a safe service to aircraft within controlled airspace.
Years ago when they were much quieter it was no problem for them to offer freebies to aircraft outside controlled airspace, looks as if the free lunch era is coming to an end!