“and should not be flown over towns and villages. “
Wrong! This rule has been repealed.
“There are also some problems with flying to Europe from the UK. “
Mostly wrong. There is a standing agreement with “Europe” with the exception of Belgium and Spain. In the case of these two you have to write to them to ask, but permission is always given. In the case of other states it is the same as for a C of A aircraft.
Rod1