Help - I new to this :o)

Hi Cheryb and welcome - that looks like a very interesting garden. Have you been in the house long enough to observe the garden through a full year of growing? Whilst there are weeds there are also some wonderful plants. You'd need to be sure you friends knew which was which before they started in on the weeding out. Rather than trying to do the whole thing in a oner I'd select an area, work on that then move on to the next area. Watch out for bulbs and plants that might be dormant right now.

I agree with moon grower live with it for a year to see it then you will have a feel for it and can begin to take charge of it.
You have a veritable gold mine there trees, bulbs, perennials, shrubs and hidden gems.
So much will be damaged/ lost if you attack it - that you'll never know you had. Take lots of pics this site will identify them for you and give you help in their care.
The terraces will still be there if in need of repair.
Good luck I think you are so lucky to have this wonderful canvas to work with and all the hard landscaping already in place.

Wow what a beautifully laid out garden you have inherited. Good advice given already, take it slowly, visit us often and let us see how it's going.

identify the obvious weeds and tackle them bit by bit. then as already suggested tackle a small area at a time. take lots of before and after shots and share them with us please.
welcome to GoY too. ask as many questions as you like someone will be able to help you.

What an amazing space, the photo diary of a full year is a brilliant idea, another idea is to get some short garden canes and brightly coloured ribbon or twine so that you can plant markers to remind you exactly where any bulbs are and tie tags onto the bigger shrubs that you like, so that when you do get your gardening party going - everyone knows what to leave alone, and where to be careful!

Great idea Ducky

I'm green with envy, what a superb space to play with. I agree, take it very slowly, focus on the weeds that you can definitely identify and trim back bushes that are encroaching on steps and pathways but for goodness sake don't rip things out wholesale. Step by careful step - krok za krokem as they say in Czech, where I live.. This is a wonderful website to help you through the journey.

THANK YOU ALL :O for all you helpful and friendly advice. I will take heed, take lots of photos, take it in small bites and look out for bulbs. Will post photos as I take them (but it's raining tonight!). And thank you for the Welcome, lovely online community :)

You are welcome Cheryb... if you have any questions or concerns just ask us... between us we'll find an answer!

Wow, great garden! I wish I had a garden as big as that!

listen to the advice on this site ,but do not get a lode of people round ' do it all yourself, the enjoyment you will get from learning and acheaveing a lovly garden for which you have a good start, can not be matched.

I agree Cliffo

Oh dear! I hope I haven't mislead some of you. The rhodedendrum on the left of picture and tall firry type tree on right of picture are in neighbours gardens but my patch goes a good 60-80 feet beyond the foxgloves into the unknown!! So it's not quite as big an it appears in photo. Will post some more pics soon....

You still have interesting plants in your garden which need to be cared for Cheryb

Hi Cheryb, welcome to GoY. Your garden looks very interesting, and I agree with all the comments from everyone else. Take your time to see exactly what you have in there, you'll be surprised at what treasures will come to light. Good luck with your adventure, and happy gardening.:-)