Some movies are region-specific, and some aren't, so I think it's going to be a movie-by-movie basis for UK region coding (the regions are different).
If you want a standalone (not a PS3) player, I would suggest the Sony BDSP-300, but I don't know if you can get it in the UK.
See here:
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/dvdpvr/0,390...9288318,00.htm
I'd get the PS3, even if I wasn't a gamer, with the only reason for not getting a PS3 being the noise from the PS3 fans. That, I know you can get in the UK.
Another good choice would be the Panasonic:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DM...4936287&sr=8-6