Brian,
I recently got a Skype phone. Very easy to install, and they have cordless phones for sale on their website for cheaper than I found in the shops. Just one word of warning, 999 calls don't work from it, so you would need to have a mobile too.
However if having a phone number is important to you, blueface looks like a good option. Their rates are look as good as Skype. Do a comparison on their call plans on the website.
Personally, I didn't want a monthly phone bill. Have my broadband through cable with NTL, so limiting my bills, as we got a deal with our TV package.
Check out Magnet too. They have a VoiP service too, with a TV package deal - very high speed internet too. Only in limited areas though and you have to get a phone line first, then they swap you over.