There is no right or wrong way... what ever suits you at the time.
Bristol has a good reputation and so has Oxford/ Cranfield....
I did mine distance learning.... I struggled with it as I had a full time job and children at home but I had no option to do distance.....
Personally I would suggest doing a full time course, as it is slightly quicker and you are 100 % focussed on the job at hand.
Trying understand Gyros at home in the study , it would be better in a class room because you can ask those stupid questions staright out...
but it won't be cheap at full time course.