Why choose a gravel drive?

Gravel is one of the simplest ways to make a firm parking area. It drains freely, it suits cottages and country houses as well as modern homes, and it can be laid over a large area with less disruption than most solid surfaces. The crunch underfoot also lets you hear anyone walking up to the door, which some people like.

Is a gravel drive permeable?

Yes, if it is built properly. Loose gravel laid over an open stone base lets rain soak straight into the ground, which is why it is often the easiest way to keep a front garden drive within permitted development for a house. The government's guidance on permeable surfacing of front gardens treats gravel as one of the permeable choices.

Gravel tipped onto compacted clay with no proper base can still hold puddles, so the ground underneath matters. Flats and maisonettes do not have the same permitted development rights as houses, and a listed building may need listed building consent for work to its boundary walls, gates or railings, so check with your council.

Which gravel should I choose?

Gravel comes in many colours and sizes, from crushed flint and local-looking buff stones to granite and slate chippings. Angular, crushed stone beds down and stays put far better than smooth, rounded pea shingle, which rolls underfoot and under tyres. Very small stones are more likely to be carried into the house on shoes, while very large ones are uncomfortable to walk on. Ask to see samples, ideally wet and dry, because colour changes noticeably after rain. It also helps to think about the house: a warm buff gravel tends to suit old brick and flint, while grey chippings sit well with render and newer buildings.

How is a gravel drive built?

The soil is dug out and taken away.
A geotextile membrane is often laid to keep the layers apart and slow weeds.
A crushed stone sub-base is spread and compacted.
Edging is fixed along every side to hold the stones in.
The gravel is spread to an even depth on top.

Too deep a layer of gravel feels loose and is hard to walk or drive through. Too shallow a layer lets the base show through.

How do I stop gravel spreading?

Loose stones travel. They stick to tyres and shoes, roll onto paths and end up on the pavement, where they can be a hazard to people walking past. A few measures help:

Plastic or concrete grids, sometimes called gravel stabilisers, which hold the stones in cells so they stay level and do not shift under wheels.
A strip of block paving or setts across the entrance, so the gravel stops short of the pavement.
Firm edging that sits a little above the finished gravel level.
Choosing an angular stone, which locks together better than rounded pebbles.

Who might find gravel harder to live with?

Loose gravel can be difficult for wheelchairs, walking frames, pushchairs and wheeled bins. It can also be awkward to clear snow from. A grid system or a solid path to the door can solve this while keeping the rest of the drive gravelled.

What about buried services and trees?

Gravel drives are relatively shallow, but they still involve digging. Pipes and cables under the front garden should be located before work starts. Near trees, a no-dig or reduced-dig approach using a grid laid over the ground can help protect roots. If a tree is covered by a tree preservation order or stands in a conservation area, check with the council before any work that could affect it.

How do I look after a gravel drive?

Rake it level from time to time, especially where cars turn.
Top it up with matching stone every few years.
Clear fallen leaves before they rot down into the gravel.
Pull out weeds while they are small.

What is useful to tell the installer about gravel?

your postcode and the rough size of the area
what the ground is covered with now
whether the drive slopes
whether you want a grid, a paved entrance strip or a path to the door
whether you need a dropped kerb

What happens after I send it?

Sending an enquiry is free and you are not tied to anything. The installer talks you through the options and agrees any price with you.

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local driveway installer, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.