Hapkido is simliar to other TMA in the respect that if you get an outstanding instructor you can learn valuable self defense skills. But good instructors of TMA in the US are few and far between. I have no idea what it would be like in England.
Alain Burrese (
www.burrese.com) has an excellent Hapkido Hoshinsul video available. He has real world experience and
I know first hand that his Hapkido works, and works well.
Beyond dealing with Mr. Burrese, my experience with Hapkido is limited.
Spanky