Primary DNS: 194.168.4.100
Secondary DNS: 194.168.8.100
the dns servers, mentioned by one poster, absolutely fixed my problem! They are apparently the main DNS servers for virginmedia, my router must have had some old NTL ones or something.
if it is taking a long time for pages to START downloading (but quick when they have begun) then check out the DNS servers on your settings (on your router if you are using one).
These have always been the DNS server addresses for ex C&W/ntl/Virgin cable broadband. My parents have had cable broadband for over 10 years and they've never changed...