I have the same problem Anne but mine slopes down. Check out some of my blogs :o))

You do need retaining walls and steps Anne and maybe a path behind the top retaining wall to get to the plants, you could use sleepers for the wall, they are cheaper than bricks,..
Check out Annella's garden, Its an amazing garden and you will get ideas and inspiration from it..

Just click on her Avitar (comment above) and it will take you to all her info, Pics and blogs etc, I hope you have plenty time :)))

Thanks Ydd! Anne I have tagged lots of the photos with 'Slope' so that should help :o))

Thanks for your replies. Wow, what a fabulous garden Annella! Certainly gives me something to aim for. I am hoping to sit down this evening and plan what I'm going to do - after Gardener's world of course! I've been wondering about sleepers but thought they might be a bit heavy for me to lift up the slope. I guess that semi circular logs might also work but would not look so good. Think I might need to invest in a good circular saw....

Are you doing it on your own Anne! you would never be able to lift sleepers, you need a couple of big bodybuilders :)))))
I meant to say, you have a lovely garden, Sort the slope out and it will be extra specia. wouldn't a decked patio be great on the top, just thinking out loud :)

Wow, lovely! I would start by taking out some of the big stuff and then anything that is looking old and straggly. The soil would benefit from as much humus material as you can manage being forked in. One more retaining wall about half way up the slope is probably all that is needed and then, obviously, some way of moving around up there, like steps. Firstly though, I would clear some space so that you can see what is going on.

I could certainly do with a couple of big bodybuilders lol! This picture was taken 2 years ago and the garden is not looking so good at the moment. I am planning to demolish a shed which you can't see, to the left of my grandaughter's tent, inset into the lawn which is 3 feet higher than the path by the house. I would like to get a few steps put in to a new raised patio level with the lawn. A garden designer also suggested a gravelled seating area in the middle half way up the slope which would take advantage of the views over the rooftops, although the neighbours across the road could sit and watch me enjoying my glass of wine! Interestingly the designer wanted to charge me £16K for hard landscaping and some planting. After a spluttered cough, I thanked him and said I'd let him know. 2 years later.....

thanks bulbaholic, I think you're right. I am waiting for my bro to remove the large 30 foot conifer which you can see on the left hand side up the slope (been waiting 2 years now!). The straggly honeysuckle bush on the right at the foot of the small willow really needs pruning hard back as well. The top half of the garden has gone to bramble and weeds at the moment as I can't get to it. Am looking forward to the spring when I can have more of a concerted effort and clear it all back.

Its a lovely site and all your hard work should be very worth while - very best of luck, and let us know how you go on.