Help with north facing garden

I have a very small north facing garden. This is my first house and I have no clue about outdoor plants. I love cooking so I would love to plant an edible bay tree, thyme, cat mint and maybe some other flowering plants or leafy bushes. Would anyone be able to tell me if these will grow in a north facing garden? Any other plant suggestions would be much appreciated. Low maintenance would be very much preferred. I have an indoor cat and I'm trying to make the garden more exciting for him too. I live in the Midlands if that makes a difference.