What can I do with my garden?

[redhexagonal]

My garden is a mess, there are concrete pavers set in sand that have sagged down and shifted, and astroturf which I hate. I’d like to have some beds and shrubs along the sides maybe, and a proper stone patio. Not sure what layout would work , or what to do the bit in the middle. The garden is on a slope but it’s level, with a retaining wall to the north (top). I don’t think raised beds are possible along the retaining wall (too much weight) . There is also a bit around the side I have no idea what to do with (second pic). Any ideas?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

That's quite an awkward shape, to say the least.
The bit around the side, you'd need some shade-loving things, by the looks. That shed at the end is a pretty good use of that bit of space IMO.
What do you want to do with the space? Entertain? Dry laundry? Grow food?

 

[redhexagonal]

That's quite an awkward shape, to say the least.
The bit around the side, you'd need some shade-loving things, by the looks. That shed at the end is a pretty good use of that bit of space IMO.
What do you want to do with the space? Entertain? Dry laundry? Grow food?

The bit around the side actually gets the sun in the afternoon, whereas the garden only really gets sun in the morning and a bit down the west side in the pm. I would like to have beds with some nice shrubs , and maybe a couple of small trees, climbers on the fence , just somewhere to chill and sit in the sun in the morning i dont want a firepit or a bar or anything. Just some plants that will attract wildlife and look nice, and a bit of patio and not sure about the middle bit. Gravel/bark or tough grass probably

 

[Koolpc]

Dynamite would sort that out for you!

 

[Odds]

Do you need all that patio in front of house?

I ask as it may be an idea to leave a double row of slabs then remove the rest to create more room, with a series of stepping stones down to the end, then i'd plan a straight line across, from right-to-left to make a triangular patch with a raised bed for a small tree - an acer is always good for those spots as their tolerant of low light and grow high enough to hide the fence while not overshadowing the rest of a small garden. Alpine plants, sempervivum, lavender, Coleus, foxglove, ferns provide a wide range of colour and height to create a distinctive array all year round but try not to go mad with birchbark weed suppressant as birds will rough it up to make the place untidy. A small garden like that won't require much maintenance anyway.

Another way could be to leave a row of three slabs on the patio, but curving a wavy line from side-to-side in order to avoid the curious discrepancy between the left and right side of your fence. A touch of Ronseal on those panels would be a good diea to freshen them up.

Ronseal Clear Decking is my go-to for cleaning up tired wood, and a planter at the far end to the right of the gate can provide enough room for herbs or flowers to brighten up the place and provide fun for insects and bees.

 

[redhexagonal]

Do you need all that patio in front of house?

I ask as it may be an idea to leave a double row of slabs then remove the rest to create more room, with a series of stepping stones down to the end, then i'd plan a straight line across, from right-to-left to make a triangular patch with a raised bed for a small tree - an acer is always good for those spots as their tolerant of low light and grow high enough to hide the fence while not overshadowing the rest of a small garden. Alpine plants, sempervivum, lavender, Coleus, foxglove, ferns provide a wide range of colour and height to create a distinctive array all year round but try not to go mad with birchbark weed suppressant as birds will rough it up to make the place untidy. A small garden like that won't require much maintenance anyway.

Another way could be to leave a row of three slabs on the patio, but curving a wavy line from side-to-side in order to avoid the curious discrepancy between the left and right side of your fence. A touch of Ronseal on those panels would be a good diea to freshen them up.

Ronseal Clear Decking is my go-to for cleaning up tired wood, and a planter at the far end to the right of the gate can provide enough room for herbs or flowers to brighten up the place and provide fun for insects and bees.

There are two manholes which probably need to be set in a patio

 

[Odds]

Have you considered disguising those manhole covers by recessing the surrounding ground and covering the area with loose stones, or a planter?