Hey!
OK, firstly, I used to be on CFUK and so did Wintoid. That forum is now just a link farm after being carpetbagged by VerticalScope so if I were you I would forget CFUK. I will put a link to the two forums that spawned from it, which are good and active.
I have an Aeropress for brewed coffee but for espresso or milk drinks based on espresso I use my Rocket R58 which is a very old (11 years) one of the first run but still going great. Cost me a large even as a used mc so the new ones are silly out of budget now.
If you want espresso you do definitely need a decent true espresso machine. My mate has a Sage Barista Express. It's considerably more affordable than the shiny E61 machines like mine and still makes a decent shot. My only fear with Sage (aka Breville) is that they're quite complex internally with bits that are not so easily sourced unlike the more trad machines.
I had a Gaggia Classic which is OK, 58mm portafilter etc. Single small boiler is the reason people mod them, to try to better manage the temperature. You can fit a PID, mine had the Auber kit but I'm an eletron00b so I bought mine already modded off a forum member.
Dave you're not far from me as we know, so if you want to talk coffee you are welcome to come and play with my kit.
Forums
Talk Coffee
TalkCoffee forum
www.talkcoffee.co.uk
This forum is basically what grew out of the "Lighter Side of Life" beans group buy syndicate which is why I'm on there. Its a decent forum and there are some knowledgeable people there. There is a bloke called Coffeechap (another Dave) who knows a lot about grinders and sells refurbished ones etc. Daren and Chris still do the light roasted beans group buy (LSOL).
There is a 'PC' element on there which is worth bearing in mind before telling any old school jokes, but plenty of good folk too.
Coffeetime
The coffeetime forum, a UK coffee forum powered by FreeFlarum.com. Chat about coffee, espresso machines, roasting and grinders with experts
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This is DavecUK's forum and a pretty relaxed place, fairly thick skins but also a decent bunch of guys, a few of whom I also know IRL. Dave himself is an engineer and extremely knowledgeable about designing or fixing espresso machines, grinders, roasting, RO systems etc and he's a helpful guy. He roasts in his garage.
There are probably guys on either forum who can help you find a suitable machine.
One thing I always thought about espresso (unlike shaving) is that the more expensive kit does often make it easier for a relative newbie to get consistent good results after a short learning curve, whereas the cheaper machines that are thought of as 'entry level' require more workarounds, temperature surfing and raindances to appease the coffee gods. So I personally would say spend as much as you can after researching, and get a temp stable machine and the best grinder you can.
Sage Barista Express will make a decent shot for around the half K price range.
The Sage Dual Boiler is a lot more expensive but said to be a good machine, although I would want an extended warranty.
You might look at Lelit machines, Anna, Elizabeth depending on budget.
You could consider a manual lever like a La Pavoni. They also have temperature management foibles you need to learn though, as they get hotter with multiple shots.
I remember there used to be a bloke called Gaggiamanualservice (Mark) who used to refurb Classics, no idea which forum (if any) he is on now though.
Hope that helps, even if it just saves you getting sucked into the link farm that CFUK has sadly become. Either of the 2 fora above are full of people who can give you advice about espresso making, roasters to try, and what's new kit-wise.
I'm happy to try to help regarding beans, technique etc. I'm no mega expert though but if you want to come over one Saturday afternoon we can geek out. All I know about kit choice is what I posted above though - I haven't thought about spending money on kit since everything went tits up for me about 4 years ago. Luckily my good gear is still working and I know where to buy beans I like.