Jodrell Bank light pollution simulation - can I expect that in the real sky?

Recently I visited JB's Science Centre, where they have regular
Planetarium shows. At the start of the show, a light-polluted sky
of Chesire was simulated. It was a very dramatic moment to see
this change to a completely dark sky with no light pollution. But I'm
wondering, was this merely a dramatised exaggeration, or could I
really expect a non-polluted sky to be such a vast improvement as
demonstrated?

The answer is pivotal as to whether I learn to drive (I'm 17 next month)
to be able to take my 15 cm Newtonian to a dark site, or instead I
invest the money in a larger telescope in order to "beat" the light
pollution in the back yard.

Comments, opinions would be greatly appreciated...