I think you’ve got the right idea in looking to remove the tree, this should allow the decking to populate the bottom corner (If you’ve not don’t a tree before and wont be relocating it make sure to not chop it down too low or you’ll make removing it a lot more difficult, you need enough stump to Rick it back and forth as you separate it from the roots - always see people chop to ground level and they have a nightmare getting the final part out as there’s nothing to get hold of or use for leverage).

What type of hot tub do you have in mind (you might need a reinforced/concrete base depending on it’s size / fill capacity (1 litre of water weighs 1Kg so you’ll need something that supports the tub at full capacity + the weight of the occupants).

Beyond that, I’m guessing the existing pathway to the bottom gate has to remain in place? (Or be substituted for something that still allows access?).

What are the plans for the shed, is it able to be housed up at the current patio end? Do you have options to change it to something like under seat storage? (something like:- https://www.diy.com/departments/plastic-taupe-garden-storage-box/1453795_BQ.prd).

Beyond that I think you’ve got a generous amount of space and you’ll be able to retain a fair amount of the grass while still making the bottom a great relaxing // entertaining area, I’m currently posting from my phone but once home I’ll sketch up how I would look to lay it out (do you have the dimensions of the garden?).

It sounds as if you have already put a great deal of thought into how you want to use the garden and considered the essentials such as which parts are in sun and shade which is half the battle won. Do you have a dimensioned plan of the garden that you can upload? Including all structures, drains and the tree.

Where is the tree? How big is it? Always nice to retain a tree if you possibly can. If however it has to go then rookie1986, if you don’t mind me saying so, your suggested method to remove it sounds like a great deal of hard work. A reputable tree surgeon will have a stump grinder in his armoury. He cuts the tree to the ground and then grinds the stump to well below ground level which basically means the grinder chops it up into shavings.

The tree is in the top left of the photo (you can just see the shadow area and the lower part). 100% agree, it will take some time and effort to remove the tree, but never be afraid of a little hard work, the satisfaction of doing something yourself and then adopting that life-skill for the future is nothing short of amazing, when I first started doing stuff I didn’t have a clue and messed up my fair share of jobs, but now I can lay carpets, tile both floors and walls, paint, plaster and paper, install cabinets and counter tops etc etc, I guess it depends on the individual but I would never rule out having a go yourself, the amount of money I’ve saved will be in the thousands and a lot of jobs are much easier than most people think (appropriate risk assessment to be carried out before hand and I wouldn’t touch anything that’s gas or electric), for reference I’m no handyman either, I work an office based 9-5 thats about as far away from power tools as it possibly could be.

Ah I have spotted it, I think! Comparing it with the dimensions of the shed it looks like a recently planted feather or standard. That should come out easily. If removed carefully, at the right time of the year, it might be successfully transplanted into a willing recipients garden.

Well done with your DIY skills. I started pretty much the same way as you. Initially it was for financial reasons and still is today. However increasingly it is becoming harder and harder to find anyone willing to do the job or worse turns out not to have the knowledge or the skills especially when working on an old property.

Going back to the garden. If a dimensioned plan could be uploaded it would be easier for everyone to get an idea of what there is to work with.

Transplanting it would be great, much better than chopping/pulling it out, is this an option OP?

Finances played a big part in learning things myself but the main trigger was having cheap “cowboy” tradesmen do jobs and when looking at it after thinking “well I could have done that to a better finish myself and saved the money” - once I started I couldn't stop, and with resources like YouTube now there’s almost always a video on how to do something.

Why not have a circular lawn then everything can fill in around it.....plants, paving, decking, path etc. Some inspiration pics below. I’d be tempted to keep the patio by the house even if it’s not a great place for sitting, it’s a useful yard space for shed/storage, bbq (close to kitchen), washing dog, fixing bikes....that kind of stuff. To make it more interesting and a bit less boxy you could take out some random slabs and fill with plants...depends on how much space there is.

Hot tub....mmmm....I can think of a lot of reasons why i think it won’t work but main one is privacy. I for one wouldn’t like to bit sitting in my swimming coz with neighbouring windows looking down on me 😊. And also they’re hideously expensive and take up more space than you think but maybe one those temporary inflatable ones might suit?

The little tree in the corner looks like it hasn’t been there that long so should...maybe....be fairly easy to get out. Loosen up the soil around it with garden fork and with some encouragement (and possibly a lot of swearing 😆) yank it out!

inspo pics.

I drew a circle on your photo as well 😁.

Nice photos rachaelmidlands. A circular shape is good because it appears to push out the boundaries making the garden seem bigger and a brick edging around a lawn is vital to keep save time spent on its upkeep and to stop it changing into a blob!

I am afraid I am of the same mind about the hot tub. Big expense, big effort to maintain, big at eating up limited space.

Thanks for the comments everyone!!! The tree is a newly planted one so it should come out fairly easy and I will be passing it onto my mum so it will be repotted!
In regards to the hot tub we haven’t looked into it much yet. It was just a spur of the moment idea, but if it was to happen it probably would be a permanent one, my partner doesn’t like the idea of an inflatable! He is also an electrician and handyman so we will do a lot of things ourself- thinking about getting some nice floor lighting somewhere too!
As mentioned the shed is essential, however i am thinking of getting one built to size to fit on the patio (currently where the 3 black plant pots are), but then that May block the steps down to the pathway for the gate. (Was also thinking of possibly tiling the pathway?)
I do love the circular lawn idea!! Definitely a possibility that I haven’t thought about at all.
Bare with me, I’m going to go out with the tape measure and find out how long the garden is now!🤣

I really appreciate all your help thank you!

Thanks everyone. I’ve had a quick measure, roughly the garden is 20ft wide and 39ft in length. I have also attached more pictures which will hopefully give a better idea of the garden layout :)

More pics

A shed in the location you suggested is a good idea. Build it slightly set back from the fence line so it doesn’t obstruct access to the side gate. You could also house the dustbin in it with its own door. I would be tempted to have it made to your own design rather than buy off the peg. Include shelves and cupboards inside to house all you garden paraphernalia. I’d recommend a green roof because it improves the view from the upper windows. Houzz has some good pages about garden sheds.

I agree with rachelmidlands you should keep the patio. One change I suggest is to run a step all the way along its length. You could perhaps edge the patio with bricks the same colour as the paving and use the same bricks for the step.

For cohesion use the same bricks to edge the lawn and any paths you decide on. Sticking to a limited palette of hard surface materials and even plants connects all the spaces and makes the garden seem bigger. It also has a calming less fussy effect.

If you decide on a circular lawn don’t be tempted to take is as close to the fence as you can. You will need to allow space for your plants to grow otherwise they will flop over the lawn and drive you mad.

The best time to transplant that tree would be autumn through to winter. If you can I would hang on until then after it has dropped its leaves. However you could chance it if it was in a pot and was recently planted. It would however need a lot of TLC to get it through the summer and it might still fail.

I rather like the last photo that rachelmidlands uploaded. It has a paved area in what would be the sunny part of your garden. I would make it bigger and use the same paving you have used for your patio. Again limit your palette.

Growing climbers over your fences softens the edges and helps to make the garden seem bigger. It is also a great sanctuary for wildlife.

Don’t forget to create access at ground level to let the hedgehogs and frogs wander about.

That is amazing advice. Thank you so much I will take all of this on board!

Don’t forget to keep us posted. Photos would be nice too.