I have an account on ancestry.co.uk too, not that I've used it much of late, not since the GRO started folding precious certificates. Anwyay Ancestry allows one to spend many an evening browsing the records on your PC, searchnig for family members. It's not pay per view, but a monthly sub.
I also have a low cost account at genesreunited so folk who think they may be relatives can get it touch. Seem to get more queries there, although few turn out to have common relatives.
There are a few good free sites, familysearch.org (I think) is linked to the Mormon church in Salt lake City and has millions of records world wide on line, many of which predate official registration.