Pave or Turf??

Scotbot

Astroturf but you need good quality stuff.

Sunsaru

Thank you to everyone for your answers so far. You've all given me food for thought especially @sgun.

Firstly, the only reason I thought about grass or astroturf was down to the fact that my daughter would like a trampoline and as a single dad (with joint custody) I want to give her everything I possibly can (without spoiling the little sod too much!). But after the comment about astroturf and plastics it has now become my least favoured option so I'm now stuck between paving and gravel. I'm no eco warrior but I do what I can where I can. Plant wise I was going to go with pots but hadn't thought about raised beds. Maybe paving the top as a social space with a raise bed or two (top and bottom levels) is the way forward with a shed behind the garage.

I noticed the algae and believe the garden doesn't drain well. Would making drainage holes on the retaining wall help? Maybe add gullys to steer the water somewhere like in front of the garage? I'm on a hill and my driveway slopes downwards.

princeofpounds

Totally agree with Sgun

More paving will make your garden look like an East German car park, unless you use really interesting high-end stone in both areas and bring in tons of planting.

Gravel would be a better option; the texture is different but would still be very stoney, and personally I find it hard to clean debris out of - over time you get weeds growing in it. Again, would require tons of planting to soften the hard edges.

Astroturf... yuk. 

Grass is always going to be difficult in a space like that, and whilst I reckon you could get some established it would remain very vulnerable to wear. 

Bark or other chippings is a soft, organic material but low maintenance. It could be combined with smaller areas of paving or even wooden flooring. You could include planting quite easily, but without having to overpower endless stone as the bark will visually soften the hard surfaces and highlight your plants.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bark+in+garndes&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjGktjr-bbvAhULtBQKHZDsBYIQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=bark+in+garndes&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJzoECAAQQzoFCAAQsQM6CAgAELEDEIMBOgIIADoHCAAQsQMQQzoGCAAQBRAeOgYIABAIEB5Q9YgGWMWWBmDzlgZoAHAAeACAAV6IAZAHkgECMTSYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=gcNRYIbOO4voUpDZl5AI&bih=713&biw=1569

frogglet

We put bark under a trampoline,as the grass died in the shade,  the cats used it as a toilet.
I'd put gravel down.
Pressure washing will clean up the slabs.

pinkteapot

Astroturf should be banned. People got so up in arms about plastic straws, but will rip up grass (which, while not exactly ecologically diverse, does still provide a valuable ecosystem) and replace it with plastic, which will shed microplastics throughout its life then end up in landfill. It's utterly disgusting.

Rant over! Agree with the others re gravels or bark and shade-loving plants for a space like that. Or, as also mentioned, you can get grass seed suitable for shade if you would like grass (may be safer in case of a slip climbing off the trampoline). 

FreeBear

pinkteapot said: Astroturf should be banned. People got so up in arms about plastic straws, but will rip up grass (which, while not exactly ecologically diverse, does still provide a valuable ecosystem) and replace it with plastic, which will shed microplastics throughout its life then end up in landfill. It's utterly disgusting.

Weed proof membranes are no better. They stop things like worms getting to the surface. Weed roots grow underneath and on top. The roots cling to the fibres of the membrane, creating a thick mat. When the membrane needs replacing (typically, ten years), it is either left in place, or rolled up and chucked in landfill. Another plastic that doesn't rot down !

Whilst the material has its uses in some places within a garden (lining a French Drain for example), rampant use across a large area should be discouraged.

Skiddaw1

Bark chipping is nice (eco friendly as well as cheap) but as has been said, the birds don't half throw it around (I speak from personal experience ). For a small area (such as around a trampoline for example) it would be fine but I wouldn't use it for the whole of that upper area. You'll be out there every day with a broom if you do.

sgun

FreeBear said:

pinkteapot said: Astroturf should be banned. People got so up in arms about plastic straws, but will rip up grass (which, while not exactly ecologically diverse, does still provide a valuable ecosystem) and replace it with plastic, which will shed microplastics throughout its life then end up in landfill. It's utterly disgusting.

Weed proof membranes are no better. They stop things like worms getting to the surface. Weed roots grow underneath and on top. The roots cling to the fibres of the membrane, creating a thick mat. When the membrane needs replacing (typically, ten years), it is either left in place, or rolled up and chucked in landfill. Another plastic that doesn't rot down !

Whilst the material has its uses in some places within a garden (lining a French Drain for example), rampant use across a large area should be discouraged.

I hear what you are saying and to some extent agree (I'm all for the natural) but it depends what you get - I had 23 years and going strong on my old membrane in a difficult spot before I moved. Don't get the cheapy fibre stuff, it doesn't last. The planting slits in the woven membrane are plenty big enough for worms etc to come up through. It is in  no way comparable to the impact of artificial grass. I wouldn't usually recommend even the good stuff apart from in tricky areas like the OPs. It's a small, difficult area that weeds will proliferate in - I love "weeds" but not sure that is the look the OP is going for. 

Sunsaru

What about decking???