Welcome to the forum, Rutts!
Maybe rather than start by buying tools, it might be a good idea to spend a bit of time on background research. There are several different approaches to 'woodwork', and working out which of them appeals most may well save a good deal of money on tools you find you very rarely use.
An approach that's becoming more popular of late is the 'handtools only' way, which has the advantage of being fairly quiet and generates little dust, but does need a bit more patience (not necessarily much more!). People who follow this route tend to work in 'proper' hardwoods or softwoods, and not sheet materials like MDF. They tend to use 'traditional' methods of cabinet construction, often on pieces with a very traditional feel, though sometimes on pieces with a modern design.
Another approach is to use machines, routers, jigs, hand-held power tools and the like. All sorts of work can be done this way, though the kit can cost quite a lot, take up a lot of space, and generate a lot of noise and dust. It's faster, and all types of wood can be dealt with - hardwoods, softwoods, sheet goods. Some handwork is needed for final assembly and trimming, but the skill is in setting up the machines to minimise this. Think fitted kitchens and the like.
Most people combine the two approaches, using a few carefully-chosen machines to do the repetitive 'grunt' work, and handtools to do the finer, more intricate stuff.
Sources of information? Books first - a copy of Robert Wearing's 'The Essential Woodworker' would be an excellent first purchase. Classic Hand Tools can supply - you'll find it under the 'Lost Art Press' section in the 'books' bit of their website. It's about the best book I know on leading an outright beginner through the basics of using a hand-plane, building simple furniture, and all the odd things like how to fit hinges. Also by Lost Art Press, a copy of 'The Anachists Toolchest' might appeal to you if you like the anti-consumerist approach of building 'proper' furniture using a carefully chosen kit of hand tools (that need not cost a fortune), and you're willing to spend a bit of time building your skills.
Then there's magazines. Pop into W H Smiths next time you're passing, and pick up a couple of the woodworking mags. The interwebs can be a real help, too - try searching Youtube for clips about 'using handplanes' and the like. There are some good blogs about too - google 'Norse Woodsmith' for a sort of blog accumulator of what's been posted in the last day or so; you'll soon work out which blogs are worth following.
Then get some wood from somewhere. Any old wood will do, whatever is fairly readily available. use this up making simple things - planed-up lengths of wood, little boxes, spoons, practice joints - whatever takes your fancy.
Something else that might help is a short introductory course with an established woodworker. Some direct tuition can really speed things up with establishing the basic skills.
Finally - don't forget that there are some very knowledgeable people round here, most of whom are willing to help in all sorts of ways. There's no such thing as a question that's too basic!
