BOAC, you repeat that the reason for starting this thread was holding pattern versus scenic route.
However I think that a valid point such as holding fuel is not out of place on this thread.
One unmentioned point is that there is a recommendation from the CAA around somewhere always to take =>30m holding additional to any field in the London ATC Zone. Seems to have got forgotten recently.
As regards waiting in a pattern or seeing a bit of countryside I prefer the latter. Speed control on final and base are controller items - most of them appreciate what you have to do when going below clean speeds and operate accordingly.