Give up?
The snag is money as always. Are you handy with a few tools? If so look for a plane with a permit from either the BMAA or the PFA. If you bought a Thruster microlight you could have your licence and the plane for not much over your budget. Strip flying is great fun and much more challenging than landing on 2 miles of tarmac. You can also quite legally do your own maintenance.
I was quite amused a while back when we had a spare slot at our strip with the number of people who said it was too short. Gengis pointed out you can get an Islander, a 182 and a 65hp Aeronca in and out but there again it depends on your ability.