Personally, I agree with melliotime. Taking a gap year can really flesh you out in terms of personal statement, especially since some universities really want to look at the personality factor about you. That's what interviews are partly about, after all. Furthermore, taking a gap year can be extremely therapeutic, believe me. Since you will already have had your grades for A-Level, when you apply for university and they offer you a place, you essentially have an unconditional offer. Remember, if you can't cope now, then how will you cope at uni? It's best that you care for yourself first and foremost- it's better that you resolve your issues now, than have a breakdown in the middle of your first year and decide you don't want to do it anymore. Anyway, you may decide that English isn't for you! If reading doesn't appeal, you might find something else you want to study- something more interesting, or something you see as more beneficial. Beware, however. Work load will likely not be much different. Yes, there will be less work for some other courses, but uni is uni- everything will be intensive.
In the mean while, consider taking something like martial arts or a cardiovascular intensive sport over the gap year to supplement your hobbies. Not only does it teach you discipline and level you out- I was just like you before, then I took one lesson of rigorous taekwondo, and I was levelled for the week- but it will show that you aren just an academic student.
From what I've seen of accounts of English interviews, sometimes they ask you to discuss a theme, so do plenty of further research Read books for pleasure- find something that makes a page turner- and try to go for classics. You like dystopia? Read 1984. Sappy romances? Jane Eyre. Horror? Poe. Go to museums in the mean time, learn about history and art- you take A Level English, so it goes without saying that both are important to the course. Join a book club, go abroad. If you are considering becoming an English teacher, try and volunteer to teach people English courses in refugee centres- it shows you are able to overcome extreme barriers to communicate with others. I did that myself, for the course I want to pursue and it became something I used as a continual referral to communication skills in my CV.
Lastly, if you are *considering* art (I know you said you didn't want to study it, but it can be beneficial to look into), you can apply to study English with a joint degree in some universities. Some offer English and drama, or media. English and art are linked in some ways, so it may be worth looking into doing a joint course if you don't want to study art alone, or want a fall-back if English becomes a bore, or simply to be more qualified.