Small lawn

Well last year we got rid of our pond. It is in full sun with the rocks left around the side and gravelled it. We planted it with grasses and plants running down into it. We use it primarily as a sitting area. It works well.

Synthetic type lawn I should have written!!

just thinking about all those juicy worms that the birds are not going to be able to find if you lay a synthetic lawn.
Gravel with plants set in it sounds a good idea, the blackbirds in our garden throw the gravel around looking for insects

We had a lawn at the end of our garden, it never did well. So DH (much younger and fitter then!) turned the lawn over, laid membrane over it then planted different bushes in holes cut in the membrane. The DGC love playing in there-they call it the jungle!
Gradually we have tried/are trying to rationalise the garden to make its maintenance easier as we get older. So, in years to come, we'll get the local tree surgeon in to trim the hedges on three sides and tidy up the shrubs. He says it would probably cost about £80 so not unreasonable. Then find someone else (possibly DGS now aged 7) to mow the lawns. DGS said how much will you pay me?!

A new bed for shrubs and plants? A gravelled area with pots of herbs( we have this in one part of the garden.) Or buy an inexpensive swing seat.

Well in two weeks I'm having my grass covered properly in weed control and 6 tones of limestone put on top so the rain will still be able to get through and the birds will have to make do with the seed I put out. I can't manage grass. I have plants in pots, my magnolia flowered for the very first time today so I still have the shrubs, trees and flowers but very low maintenance. I have just managed to get a gardener who is lovely and turns up! He is like my knight in shining armour. Along with my cleaner "fairy godmother" they make my life far easier and I wouldn't be without them for anything.