We took on an abandoned allotment 2 novembers ago, dug some ground where it seemed easiest, started clearing the worst bits. Put in some crops the following spring, spuds are a great crop for sorting out soil. It fed us all last summer.
OK, we put. Alot of effort into clearing it, building raised bedsetc, even spent quite a bit of cash, BUT that was all up front investment. This year so fra its been less work, still a lot, but less, and much less cost, and it will feed us even more, it already is.
join the allotment assoc as suggested, use plastic/leaf mold/much as a mulch to kill weeds, whatever, but just get some crops in.
Red is right, its work and regular, but its good healthy exercise and there are lots of folk who will be happy to advise, we have learned so much from the folk on out allotments, and we were not ignorant to start with !