Andy-go high !
As you leave EGTB start a slow climb stepping under the TMA untill you reach FL50 by the time you have got just north of aylesbury you will be able to track the GAM vor.
At FL50 you can fly all day and meet practicly no one the radar cover is good and you can pick up the nav aids at a good range ,your TAS will be better as will the fuel burn and you can usualy enjoy a smooth ride.
If you chose your level well you can some times get some good tail winds and even if the wind is on the nose the higher TAS and the smooth ride will make the trip seem shorter.
Some times you can realy get lucky i once had to get a PA28-161 from glasgow to EGTB with a stiff wind from the north i climbed to FL95 for a smooth ride and took full advantage of the tailwind , the flight time was 2H 06M !