Recently requested a transit through the Stansted zone when heading back from Cambridge to North Weald. Nothing more than a "corner cut" and was prepared to be denied.
Had routed to the Barkway (BKY) VOR and then called them up after listening in for a few minutes to judge traffic.
They were most helpful and gave us pretty much a direct transit through. This was Thursday 28th November about 15:45 L.
Be friednly, confident with the RT and obviously obey instructions and they will be as helpful one of Santa's Elves. Don't get disappointed if they don't permit you though.