"frankie" wrote in message
...
I have an old Lavender which has become thick and woody at the
bottom
with all new growth + flowers etc. at the top - probably due to
overgrown surrounding plants preventing light + moisture.
How far can I safely cut it back and when would be the best time of
year to do it ?

Early autumn. Cut back as hard as you please as long as there is
still a sign of new growth below your cut.. Lavender does not
usually regenerate itself from old wood.