The LHT builds up into a very nice bike - it's more of a full on touring frame though, so you may need to think about that.
(Tons of braze ons, for about anything you could want to chuck on it, low bb, canti/v brake fittings, &c). The ability to put big tyres on it (I have 42x700c on mine) is really nice, and gives the bike some off road capability. It also has pretty much horizontal top tube geometry - I find that really comfy, but some people feel too stretched out on it.
Cotic's Roadrat is a similar price if you fancied fitting discs, or a more modern "compact" geometry;
http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/roadrat
Surly's other bikes/frames in the same niche are the Crosscheck & Pacer, both nice & slightly different in focus to the LHT. (Pacer is their take on a road bike, Cross Check a cross bike (higher BB is the main difference there).
Planet X offer a 'cross frame (aluminum) the Uncle John;
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRPXUJ/planet-x-uncle-john-frame and a steel tourer type frame, the Kaffenback
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRPXK/planet-x-kaffenback-frame & both would be in your budget.
Edit: Kinesis' frames would be worth a look too, slightly out of budget, I think, but a Racelight or Cross Light could fit the bill.