I am based outside the zone and can probably avoid flying through it; will go around it if I have to. I rarely fly to somewhere where I can drive to in a similar time.
The easier solution (going IFR) is likely to be clobbered by the very limited IFR slots (1 per hour, at the usually relevant time) where I am based. That also b*ggers trips abroad even if the flight goes directly out of UK airspace, though I may have found a way around that (file V on a pre-validated Eurocontrol route and ask foreign ATC to change the V to an I).
I am suprised there are people operating "normal" planes without a transponder, because the options for going abroad are now very limited.