So we started off with this, an end cul de sac plot, semi detached house, stream on the long border, north facing. House and garden had little maintenance for years. Garden was overgrown but cleared before we bought it.  A load of mature trees along the borders and ground covering foliage,  not grass. The house is raised a little above the garden that in general slopes toward the stream. There was a concrete drive and area between the house and concrete sectional garage: