Cheap, cheerful, widely acclaimed road bike? Any suggestions for a budget?

Boardman? PlanetX Pro Carbon?

What he said, although surely the kaffenback should get a mention for being steel, both the boardman and PX carbon would be comparable to a wippet.

Planet X I reckon

PX Carbon or Ribble

Boardman or planet x.

planet X on here, Boardman in the wider world.

Most manufacturers throw as much effort as possible at the C2W £1000 price limit. the norm is full 105, ally frame and carbon fork, with some of the internet/direct marketers offering carbon frames.

I was close to getting the boardman which a roadie mate took as a challenge, and ended up with an Orbea Aqua 105. Got an ex-display (literally that, never even had pedals fitted) reduced and upgraded the wheels to Aksiums at cost difference to come in at the £1K voucher limit.

Blue Ribble

^^
What he said, the Audax Ribble, cheap, heavy, reliable, ow and cheap.

Deffo the Ribble especially the winter /Audax for [surprisingly]Winter use

ribble or racelight for winter.

planet x pro carbon is easily the most common summer bike round these parts.