Which steel road frames / steel bikes?

Lee Cooper - Builds for 18bike co, Hobo

http://www.hobobicycles.co.uk/WeirdyBeardy.html they've a tourer frame 875 for 631, 1025 for 853.

http://customcycleframes.blogspot.co.uk/ for Lee custom work. I've a Thorn Audax from him, lovely fillet brazed road buzz soaking hours of comfort enjoyment.

An audax would fit your needs perhaps? Road parts + carry stuff + front fork loading for extra I haz tourer points.

Thorn cycles + spa cycles do good frames/bikes if you decide not to go custom. Old school touring places. Spa does a TI one too. Both UK companies run by a small group of enthusiasts.

Good point re audax - I think this would be a better option instead of a tourer as I'm looking for one bike rather than having a stable of bikes (just don't have the room).

Max touring I'm going to be doing is with a set of Ortileb 40L panniers in the rear, a small bag on the headset or top or the rack and a tent along the top tube. Though it will mostly be used for weekend rides and commuting.

Any Audax recommendations? I'm thinking about the Lynskey Viale - looks like this suits, just a tad on the expensive side! and not steel... it's Ti.