Thanks for the replies everyone, very informative.
Ok, so I think I've narrowed it down to one of two bridge cameras. I'm not ready for the DSLR catagory yet, and like the idea of not messing around with different lenses, an all in one package at a good price is what's most appealing.
The options are the Sony HX1, and the Nikon P100. Daylight pics are virtually the same between the two cameras, however, in low light situations, the Nikon decimates the Sony. The Sony seems to suffer really really bad grain on ISO's higher than 500. The setting goes all the way up to 3200, at which point the picture looks like one of those magic eye paintings. At this point you're already probably thinking 'well then it's got to be the Nikon then?', but the Sony has a few tricks up it's sleeve, when I say a few, I mean shedloads. The Sony is packed to the hilt with ridiculous features, such as an auto panoramic mode with auto stitching, I've seen some example photos using the feature and they look amazing. There's also an array of high speed capture tricks that the Sony does that the Nikon doesn't. The Sony also has a much longer shutter speed than the Nikon, up to 32 seconds, meaning I can get those car light's trail shots on highways pics. The Nikon only does 8 seconds. The Sony also has built in colour lens effects for making the shots that little bit more pro looking.
So, do I go with better low light pictures, or the camera that does loads of tricks to aid me in taking a better picture.