If distance from the exchange is the issue, you might like to try Wizards - a small two-man and a dog ISP. Yes, they are middle-men, but if that's all you can get... I originally used them for exactly that reason, and didn't change when I moved to a house where I can see the exchange out of my front door as I like being able to ring & talk to Hugh or Chris. They were quite helpful as well about me prizing a domain from the grasp of an awful ISP that wasn't renewing it.
wizards: Wizards
PS one of them is Hugh and he has a strong interest in aviation, the Vulcan and so on.