A gravel drive has a soft, natural look, and there are lots of stone colours to pick from. Rain can soak down between the stones. We lay gravel driveways for homes in Harpenden and across Hertfordshire, including Wheathampstead, Redbourn and St Albans.
Here you'll find the good points and the downsides of gravel, how it compares with other surfaces, and how to keep it tidy. Book a free site survey for a written quote. We never ask for a deposit.
Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338, email hello@5stardrivewaysandpatios.co.uk, or get your free quote.
Good reasons to pick gravel
1. It looks natural. Gravel sits well with older homes and cottage gardens, and with newer houses too.
2. Rain can soak through. Water can drain down between the stones rather than running off.
3. It's quick to lay. There's no setting time, as the stones are spread out loose.
4. Lots of colours. Golds, buffs, greys, whites and mixed blends.
5. That crunch. Many people like hearing when someone walks up to the door.
The downsides
Gravel isn't right for every home, so it's worth knowing the other side.
1. Stones move about. Tyres push them around, and they can drift on a slope.
2. It's not smooth. Buggies, bikes, wheelchairs and wheelie bins find it harder going.
3. Stones wander. A few can end up in the house or on the pavement.
Want the look of stone with a smooth, fixed surface? Resin bound may suit you better. We'll give you an honest view on the survey.
How does gravel compare?
1. Gravel and resin bound. Both can let water through. Resin bound holds each stone in place for a smooth finish. Gravel stays loose, with a more relaxed look.
2. Gravel and block paving. Blocks give a firm surface and more patterns. Gravel is quicker to lay and can let water through.
To compare all five driveway surfaces, see our driveways page.
Choosing your stone
Pale stones lighten up a drive. Darker and mixed stones are better at hiding everyday marks. Rounded stones are smooth to look at. Angular stones tend to lock together better underfoot. We'll go through the choices with you on the survey.
What goes underneath
Gravel needs a firm base under it. Without one, stones can get pushed into the soil, and ruts and puddles can form. A gravel drive is built in three layers:
1. A firm, compacted sub-base that can carry a car.
2. Edging on every side, to hold the stones in and off lawns, borders and the pavement.
3. The gravel itself, spread to an even depth on top.
Edging
The edging gives a gravel drive its shape and a tidy line. Block or brick edging makes a crisp border. Some homes also have a strip of paving at the entrance, which can help cut down on stones being carried out. We'll talk through the options on the survey.
Rainwater and planning
Gravel can let water through, so it often suits a front garden. Whether rain can drain away also depends on the ground below. Where it can't, we can fit channel drains, or soakaways where the ground allows.
For a front garden, you usually don't need planning permission if the surface lets rain soak through, or the water runs onto a lawn or border. A solid surface over 5 square metres that drains nowhere else normally needs permission. Flats have different rules. You can read the government guidance on paving front gardens. Listed homes and conservation areas may have extra rules, so check with your local council.
What affects the cost of a gravel driveway?
We don't publish prices, because every driveway is different. A gravel quote depends on:
1. How much ground the drive covers.
2. What's there now, and how much of it has to go.
3. How deep the sub-base needs to be.
4. The stone you pick, and its size and colour.
5. The edging, and any paving strip at the entrance.
6. Any drainage the ground needs.
7. How easy it is to get machinery and materials in.
Your free site survey ends with a clear written quote, and you're under no obligation.
Our steps for a gravel drive
1. A free visit. We measure, check the levels and drainage, and help you choose stone and edging.
2. Your written quote. It lists the work and materials. We never ask for a deposit.
3. Out with the old. We lift the old surface and take it away.
4. The base. The sub-base goes in and is compacted.
5. Edges and drains. We fix the edging and add any drainage.
6. The stone. Gravel is spread evenly over the base.
7. All done. The site is left tidy, and we explain how to look after your drive.
Most jobs are completed within a working week, Monday to Friday.
Caring for a gravel drive
1. Rake it level now and then, mostly where cars turn.
2. Add more stone when it starts to look thin.
3. Pull out weeds while they're small.
4. Clear fallen leaves, so they don't rot down between the stones.
Front walls and pillars
Brick walls and pillars can frame a gravel drive nicely. We build garden walls to match your home, and retaining walls where a garden changes level.
Gravel drives we've laid
Our photo gallery has more of our work.
Gravel questions
Does rain soak through gravel?
It can. Water can drain down between the stones, as long as the ground below can take it.
Why does gravel end up on the pavement?
Tyres and feet carry stones out, mostly near the entrance. Firm edging and a regular rake can help keep it tidy.
Can gravel go on a sloping drive?
Gravel tends to move on a slope. We'll look at it on the survey and tell you honestly whether gravel or another surface would be better.
Do I need planning permission for a gravel front drive?
Often not, as gravel can let water through. The rules are in "Rainwater and planning" above, and we'll go over them with you on the visit.
How long does a gravel driveway take?
Most jobs are completed within a working week, Monday to Friday.
What does the 10-year guarantee cover?
Our 10-year guarantee covers the driveways, patios and walls we build. There's no deposit. See our guarantee and insurance page.
Areas we cover
We lay gravel driveways in Harpenden and 23 nearby towns. See our areas page or our Harpenden driveways page.
Get your free quote
Tell us a little about the job and we'll arrange a free site survey and a clear written quote. We never ask for a deposit, and there's no obligation.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338. You're welcome to send photos of your driveway or garden on WhatsApp first.