What are you riding at the moment? Why do you want a road bike if you are uncertain whether you'd like it? Can you borrow one and try it for a while? For what it's worth, I see many people on road bikes who have no wish to race or ride fast and have bought the bike simply because that's what they think of as a "proper" bike, when they'd be just as happy and more comfortable on a hybrid or a touring bike.

From the links you provide I'm guessing you're in the UK. If I were you I would not buy from Halfords. With the exception of their rather pricier Boardman range, the bikes they sell are not of particularly high quality, and are often not very carefully assembled, so they need adjustment before they'll function efficiently.

I'd suggest you go and talk through the options with an independent bike shop. Or, if you are within reach of a branch of the Edinburgh Bike Co-op, try them. They carry a wide range at pretty competitive prices and the staff are usually knowledgable.

To answer your specific question, you don't ride in the drops all the time, the drop bars offer a variety of hand positions. For many more experienced riders, the more stretched out one's riding position, with a flat back, the more comfortable one becomes - but this does take working up to.