I spent years NOT doing an IMC and was able to still do plenty of good flying.
I then got around to it (after my CPL!), and wished I'd done it years ago. I have done lots of flights I couldn't have done before, I learned far more on the IMC course than I did on my much longer CPL course, and am definitely a far safer pilot.
Do it whilst you still can!
But yes, do it in the UK where the conditions represent what you'll then be flying in.
G