I am not rich and would probably only scrape together enough cash to purchase an hours flying time per month, based on this is flying really reality?
If you don't have the disposable income (*) right now to pay for at least something like 15 hours annually, don't even start on your PPL. You might make it all the way to your exams, eventually, but then you'll find yourself just flying circles around the airport to stay reasonably current. The fascination with that wears off rather quickly and pretty soon you'll realise that your money might be spent better elsewhere.
(*) With "disposable income" I mean money that's still in the bank after a month, when the new paycheck comes in, and after all the bills have been paid for. Not money that you might be able to scrape together by saving on other expenses.
I did also consider the NPPL, I have mixed views on this, but UK restriction takes the fun out of this and it appears to be 'watered down licence'.....
With the money you've got to spend, being restricted to the UK is not a problem at all. In fact, if you were to be restricted to a 50-nm radius around your airport you'd be fine. Equally, with your budget you're not going to do an IR, ME or other rating. Trust me, the NPPL is probably just fine in your case. And if you do find it too "watered down" you can always upgrade to a full PPL.
Think about this: Why do you want to fly? Is it because you think it opens up the worlds skies for you, so you can travel anywhere in luxury and style? Very few of us actually do that, and that is something that's totally out of your financial reach. Or is it simply because you want to experience the magic of flight? In that case there are far more inexpensive opportunities than a PPL. Gliders, Microlights/Ultralights, NPPL, you name it.