The recording function on a Sky+ box is part of the subscription service. Without the subscription you can't record.
If you end your subscription you'll still be able watch these channels using your existing box:
http://en.wikipedia.o...channels_at_28%C2%B0E
If your TV is 'HD ready' you can buy a Freesat HD set-top box (to replace your Sky box). You'll then be able to receive these channels, some of which are in HD. (Page 1 of 4):
http://www.freesat.co...-you-get/our-channels
Freeview is a terrestrial service, which is completely separate to either generic 'free to air' reception (as in my first link) or Freesat (as in my second link). For Freeview you'll need a 'normal' TV aerial (instead of a satellite dish). If your TV doesn't have a Freeview tuner built into it, you'll need a set-top box, which can be either SD (Standard Definition) or HD (High Definition). The list of channels available is here:
http://www.freeview.co.uk/Channels
(You'll see that the list is much shorter than the listings for satellite services but most people would probably never watch the extra satellite channels anyway).
Chris