Pruning old shrubs

[Purpleraindeer]

I’ve spent a bit of time cutting back trees and overgrown shrubs. There are a few shrubs which have gone really woody and leggy as they’ve tried to grow to find the light. I’ve (hopefully) posted some photos. Now they’ve got light getting to them again how do I prune them to get their shape back - do I just cut off the dead bits or do I cut the whole thing back. And when is the best time - should I wait until winter? Questions, questions!

generally pruning shrubs in summer slows plants down, pruning in winter re generates. (some exceptions though).
what are they?

Depends on the shrub - there's a handy RHS guide to pruning which is not expensive. I'd buy that, identify what your shrubs are and follow the advice.

Go ahead and remove all the dead stuff now so you can see what you are dealing with.
Any live parts that are not in the shape you want can be lopped off. I'd then give a light trim in the autumn, to start achieving the shape you want - unless you are happy to just let them find their own way!
(If you can find out what they are, that would help you decide how to trim as some shrubs flower on old growth and some on new.)

I couldn't see your photos when I posted - how strange. The only thing I can identify is the one with silvery leaves which is a senecio.

Cutting back to the base usually stimulates new growth, but it's pretty drastic, so phase it over 3 years, cutting out 1/3 of the old stems each year. Anything dead can be cut back whenever you want.

Excellent advice everyone. Thank you so much!