Beagle
If below 140KIAS and 3000 ft, VFR flights are permitted if in 1500m visibility as long as the aircraft is clear of cloud and in sight of the surface
The above is wrong for a bare UK issued PPL. The 1500m for VFR applies only to a UK issued PPL who also has the IMCR or IR, or to some non-JAA ICAO PPL holders (FAA being one of them).
MikeJ
I agree entirely. I avoid the SVFR stuff and to be honest can't remember the rules. I also think an instrument capability is all but necessary to fly safely to the limits of legal VFR (3000m in haze, for example) but a lot of people get jumpy when one suggests that. If I was teaching somebody (that I care about) to fly I would make sure they can fully radio navigate (GPS/VOR/DME) and can fly at least an ILS before going off anywhere - it's no rocket science. Unless one is exceedingly conservative in planning, it's only a matter of time before such an option will be the only one left.... well apart from calling up 121.50 and hoping they can get you down somewhere, which is how it's normally done.