Thanks for all comments on cyclamen.

Hi flintstone. Have a look at my plants that I grow under the beech tree. They cope with dense dry shade too.

Hi Flintstone,
Fuchsias might fit the bill. Hardy ones such as Mrs Popple are pretty tolerant. I grow them underplanted with ferns. Before the ferns start growing, in early spring I have a few primroses and some pulmonaria and some tiny daffodils. Self sown among this lot are alchemilla mollis and I have this year made an edging of colourful heucheras. I know I might have to move these if they're not very happy there, but it's worth a try.

Thanks to both of you. Nothing would grow there last year and as I am a relatively new gardener, didn't have a clue what to put there.