I've subscribed to try it free for a month. Is it me or are the films on offer utter garbage? Are they better when you start to pay?

Nope. The Netflix UK selection of TV and Films are pretty poor. I cancelled my subscription over a year ago because the selection was so poor, in my opinion.

I have just this week taken up a free month offer as a "we've improved, come back and see whats on offer" type offer they sent me, and I have to say, it has not really improved.

I was also sent a LoveFilm "come back to us" free month offer earlier in the year that I have yet to try, not even sure it will work considering its now Amazon Film or something.

A friend who I dog-sit for occasionally does have access to a Netflix US account, and while not brilliant, is a level above Netflix UK.

Depending on how you watch (Laptop, Console, Chromecast etc..) My advice would be to subscribe to a DNS switching service like Unblock-Us (£3.21) or AdFreetime (£1.28) if your device allows you to input your own DNS.

This will allow you to browse and play Netflix content from other countries - its like opening your eyes honestly, you'll be shocked at the amount of content there is in comparison to the UK version.

A quick look on here will show you an example http://whatsnewonnetflix.tv/

Is it possible for you to subscribe to US Netlix and then watch via Smart DNS or VPN?

Yes, its easier then a lot of people think. You use your existing account, no need to sign up for a new account for whichever Netflix country you wish to use.

1) Subscribe to a SmartDNS (Unblock-Us offer a free trial as do others)
2) Input the DNS servers they give you into the device you'll be using to watch Netflix on.
3) Log in to your UK Netflix account on the device - you can do this step before (2) and (1), it doesn't really matter.
4) Go to your web browser and depending on the SmartDNS you are using - use the Netflix region switcher to choose which region you want to connect to. (for example, untick UK and click US)
5) Re-launch the Netflix app on your device and you'll be connected to that country's Netflix region.

I'm watching Netflix through Virgin media on my TV. Does that mean I can't do the above

I use the free Media hint add on for Firefox and can flick between US and UK versions very quickly.... I also use Hola add on for Chrome and can select other countries like Canada etc.... this widens the otherwise somewhat limited UK version of Nutflix.

I've not found the need to pay for a VPN service in the 3 months of using it the above free add ons

I agree that Hola and Media Hint are fantastic extensions for accessing geo-blocked content. The problem is, if like me you use Netflix on a device connected to the TV (in my case a PS3) the only way I know to access different regions on it is by using a SmartDNS.

Yes of course, I hadn't given that scenario much thought and media hint suggests that it's no longer free anyway, despite it continuing to work for free.