What colour/type gravel for driveway?

[MrChips]

Hi All,

Just about to do my driveway but it seems that there's more gravel to choose from than I thought! I'm going for 20mm but can't decide between "normal" Golden Gravel or get something slightly different such as Cotswold Buff.
I'm after something that looks as contemporary as possible, and we'll be using new sleepers to edge most of the area .

Apologies for what is quite possibly one of the dullest topics but any opinions on what to go for would be welcome!

[staceyb]

Green or purple slate

[Vron]

Small chips of slate can puncture your tyres as they're very sharp on the edges!

[JustinP1]

After a lot of study I was going for slate, however got turned off the idea as I saw some of the results of driving over it. Slippage and crushing.

I have seen another driveway which was done in Staffordshire Pink and it looked great and held in place and matted down well where it was driven over.

[mrmaggit]

If you're going down the gravel drive path (so to speak),unless you want to be continually shovelling the gravel back into place, go for an angular material. This can be crushed gravel (the cheapest) through granite, most decorative chippings to spanish white.

Cotswold Buff and Derbyshire White are both limestone, not that hard, you will need to top up from time to time. Gold Blend is the standard gravel of the Thames Valley, and sold as a decorative material everywhere else. As has been said, don't go with slate, it doesn't bond together very well, although does give good coverage if it's just for covering over.

[V12Les]

South Cerney looks good and holds together well.

[MrChips]

Thanks for the replies. I had thought that slate wouldn't be good so sounds like that's confirmed.

I hadn't even really thought about how it'll wear so looks like the Cotswold Buff might be one to stay away from as this is for a drive that'll be used quite a bit.

That South Cerney looks pretty good so i'll have a closer look at that one. I always find the "standard" gravel that most people have a bit too golden/brown and want something a bit brighter so this might just fit the bill!

Cheers

[DippedHeadlights]

Depends where you are but if near North Glos then Stowfield Red (from the quarry of the same name) is excellent, available from Philips in Malvern and a few others locally. I've covered a huge driveway and turning area with it - at least 20 cars in size.

It's an angular gravel so locks in place and is easy to walk on - some round gravels are a nightmare and a lot of the Cotswold ones turn to a pasty mush.

Take care with the sub surface. Gravel on a smooth surface doesn't really work and if you have large lumps of base stone (like MOT 1) you need to go over it with a whacker or the stone will work it's way to the top as you walk or drive over the gravel .

DH

[staceyb]

The reason I suggested slate is my Aunt and Uncle have had slate on their driveway for 15 years and never had a puncture.

[MrChips]

Thanks Dipped and Stacey,

Just out of curiosity, would you have any photos you can pm me?

I'm having the drive done by a respected landscape firm, so fingers crossed there's no issues with the prep work.

I've narrowed it down to something angular, that looks like cotswold buff but is more hardwearing. I'll see what the landscaper says as he may have some suggestions too.

Once again, thanks for everyone's input!

Cheers
MrChips

[CatherineJ]

I'm going for Cotswold for our front garden. I am replacing Purple Slate because after a few years it really does age and looks awful.

Edited by CatherineJ on Saturday 6th June 22:08

[DippedHeadlights]

Couple of pics of when it was almost finished - check out the Paving Expert website for the quantities you need, the advice there was spot on.