Cranfield is a pain inthe ass in some respects for doing ab initio training but will give you good RT. I am doing my IR there at the moment which I am enjoying immensly, very hard work but with a perfectionist for an instructor I expect to fair well in the test. You would not go wrong by asking him to do your PPL. PM me for details.
Otherwise I am a member of Leicester aero club and for PPL training they will make a great choice. More actual flying time for the £.