After having two serious (for the South East) downfalls of snow in one year, Im toying with doing something to be better prepared for next time.

Ive found a few sites that sell chains ranging from £50 a set up to £400 but I dont know if these would actually be worth it in the UK as my understanding is that Id have to keep taking them off whever I come across a clear bit of road ? (Is this due to damage to the tyre if the chain runs on tarmac?)

The alternative is to perhaps get winter tyres. Does such a thing exist ? Would it make a blind bit of difference to my Astra ?

Finally I can just Man Up, which tbh is probably what Ill end up doing but Id at least like to hear some thoughts

You can buy winter tyres but they sell out fast, so prepare in advance.

TBH i think you should just man up, im driving 200-300 miles a night over some obscure backroads and across the local moors etc, if driving a distance just be prepared for getting stuck:

Shovel/Spade
Surival Bag
Jump Leads
Tow Rope
Warm Clothing
Food/Flask of Coffee
De-Icer / Screenwash etc

I got stuck twice lastnight, luckily i got help the first time, 2nd time i dug myself out.

If youve just got a run of the mill car, get all season tyres.
 
Not as good as a dedicated Summer/Winter tyre in their respective seasons, but a lot better than a summer tyre in winter and a winter tyre in summer.

Partially deflate yer tyres... youll be driving at lower speeds (and its a lot colder) anyway...

get the thinnest steel wheels you can fit on with winter tyres.

get the thinnest steel wheels you can fit on with winter tyres.

Ive read this a few places, what difference does steel wheels make?

as above, theyre just cheaper than alloys!

So you can fire them in the garage once spring hits and forget about them until next winter.

Would steel wheels be a little heavier too so youve got more weight on a smaller area?