sounds like you have the perfect spot there. The choice of plants is very personal, but your aspect and soil sounds as if it will support most things. If I were you I would start by planting the climbers and fruit trees ensuring you have the supports for them. Crocus do mini planting plans for different types of gardens and the BBC or RHS also do planting plans. To avoid disappointment research each plants needs and care. good luck

A blank canvas by the sound of it. I would start at the back and work your way forward. An apple espalier would be a lovely and tasty feature. Perfume from a climbing rose and perhaps a climbing hydragea and clematis. I would suggest some key evergreen shrubs throughout the bed so that there is some interest all the year and also a selection of flowering herbacious plants and herbs. Annuals can be used to fill some of the gaps and add interest especially if you would like trailing plants at the front of the bed. As Mageth says try the RHS website, very worthwhile.

A word of caution - if its west facing, it won't be the sunniest place in the world, so any plant that requires full sun (such as lavender) won't thrive in that situation. If you visit the RHS site, and there's an option to seek out plants for west facing situations, choose it.

Lucky you! It seems a similar size and shape to my new strip but I have to start from "scratch". As bamboo says, west facing isn't the sunniest aspect. I'm still not sure how much sun mine will get, so, for this year I've placed climbers in pots - honeysuckle henryi (evergreen) - two clematis and trachelospermum jasminoides. They have all started well. The trachelospermum is evergreen and beautifully scented. It did well last year in part sun so I'm hopeful. I've hedged my bets with some foxgloves and other, lower shade-lovers where it's obviously shaded by other plants. We shall see...

Thanks very much for your answers - all really helpful! Alistair