US X/C is 50nm from point of departure to point of destination, in a straight line, so taking off from Bournemouth, do a tour of Dorset and then land at Compton Abbas won't count I'm afraid.
I vote for the FAA IR route. On return, you send a copy of your FAA licence with an IMC application form and 64 quid to the CAA and they kindly send you back an IMC rating....
Instrument flying does make you a much more accurate pilot, and I would recommend it as a next step.
Good luck,
EA
