Save a bucket of money, the estate agents charge 4 or 5 times more than the solicitor, just for a few photos and some advertising. Only drawback is that the prospective purchasers have not been vetted for finance etc. But, I must say I sold a house outside of the estate agents because people were knocking at the door when the for sale sign went up, also the estate agent valued it at £20,000 less than I sold it for, thats a lot of money. if you decide to give it a go, have a valuation from an estate agent, add a couple of thousand, advertise it and ask lots of questions of the potential buyers as there are the weekenders who just like seeing other peoples interiors.
Get a solicitor from the start, not later. they do not charge just to be appointed, only when they start searches etc. and they do give good advice, they have seen it all before. do not use the solicitor that the estate agent says is a good one.
good luck, be brave, we should all do it.