Ok, the detail about the ease of connecting at Paddington using the Circle line now it’s no longer a Circle line is particularly useful, thank you.

It appears there is a benefit to a non-circular Circle line after all! To be honest I never could figure out the benefit of making it into the current plough shape: when it was circular, if there was disruption in one direction, I used to just get on it the other other way. Since the “new” non circular mode, I avoid the Circle line clockwise on the north west side, the Edgware Road change tends to be very busy, and you seem to have to wait some time.

IME there’s eiher a Circle or H&C every five minutes or so at Liverpool St, so that will be fine.

I’m still a little perplexed about why TFL suggest Central & Bakerloo.

And of course one extra benefit of Circle or H&C is the air-conditioning, something you don’t get on the Central and Bakerloo.

Again thanks to all for all the information.