What bike should i buy?

I am looking for general guidance. I am planning on getting a new bike for my birthday. I will probably have about £300 to spend and was thinking of getting a hybrid / trekking bike as i like to get off roads but i never made a lot of use of my old mountain bike. If you could answer one, two or even all of the questions below i would be very grateful. Basically any ideas or information would be much appreciated.

Do you think a hybrid is the best option or would you go for a mountain or road bike?
what makes do you recommend for my price range?
what are some good websites?
do you know any good bike shops in exeter or the surrounding area (i.e. Devon)?

Visit a few of the local bike shops and see what they have. You can ride a hybrid off road on rail trails and smooth path ways and it will be liter and faster then a mountain bike. They also make a comfort/pathway bike with 26 inch tires that will be just a little better on the paths but a little slower on the road. Another option is a cyclo-cross bike, but they cost as much as a road bike.

Get a fugi police bike. there awesoome and it looks like a good overall bike. also nobodys going to want to steel your bike with a police paintjob.