Hydrangea petiolaris, a climber, or Elaeagnus varieties, free standing shrubs which can get rather large, so check the eventual height and spread of any you like before buying.

I was also going to say Hydrangea Petiolaris Bamboo, it's a lovely climbing deciduous shrub for a shady spot. I've just bought a rose 'Souvenir Du Docteur Jamain' which has lovely wine red flowers and I am told it is great for shade too. It only grows to 6' tall, so that might be another option. Elaeagnus limelight is pretty and evergreen and has lovely light green and cream variegation, so it would bring some light to your spot.

Oh, and Winter flowering jasmine too. Mine is in shade and does really well along with Akebia Quinata, though that does better with some sun...you get more flowers. I have a gorgeous clematis with lovely double pale yellow flowers that flowers from May all the way to July. It is called C. Chisanesis 'Love Child' and it seems to not mind the shade at all, so you might want to give that a go.

Another climber worth considering is Schizophragma integrifolium - I think its more attractive than the climbing hydrangea, and it does well in shade. Also consider Garrya elliptica, provided you don't live in a cold part of Britain - unfortunately, you haven't said where you are.

Garrya Ellipticas do very well here Bamboo!! ;)) I also prefer the look of Schizophragma, but I've never seen it for sale up here...is it less hardy than the hydrangea do you know?

No, seems to be hardy, but admittedly just as slow growing as the hydrangea.

Would be nice though, it looks a bit 'prettier' than the Hydrangea somehow, though very similar.