is there anyway I can file a VFR flight plan online without the hassel of filing out the tedious CAA form and finding an ever illusive fax machine?
What has been said, except that in my experience, it's often quicker and cheaper just to do it by phone. I have filed plans this way by calling up essentially whoever I have a number for, e.g., French AIS for a flight entirely within Germany, and even a Spanish airport for a flight in Austria. Same for closing flight plans, which is just as important.
And yes, flight plans will get lost, misrouted, and mislaid. It's a fact of life, so it's better to double-check if there is a concern. Also, for VFR flights sometimes tower will not check for the existence of a flight plan, which will then not be activated when you take off, and will eventually be cancelled. If in doubt, remind tower that you have a flight plan.