Decorative Gravel & Aggregates
Transform your garden or driveway with our stylish and affordable range of decorative gravel. From rustic stone chippings to naturally rounded garden pebbles, these attractive aggregates are a low-maintenance way to add colour and texture to your space. Whether you’d prefer a modern look or a more natural finish, we have numerous colours, shapes and sizes to suit.
At Love Stone, we’ve been supplying high-quality stone to Surrey, Hampshire and across the UK since 1966. Our decorative aggregates are sourced from trusted quarries to ensure colour consistency and durability. Collect your order from our Ewshot yard or opt for nationwide delivery – price based on weight and distance. Call 01252 705979 or email us for a quote.
What types of decorative gravel are available?
We supply a wide choice of path and driveway gravel, garden chippings and pebbles and slate chippings. In fact, we stock options for everything from high-traffic driveways to decorative borders, water features and garden paths.
For large-scale projects, we stock the following options in bulk bags of around 850kg:
- Irish Quartz (20mm) – semi-rounded with warm golden-brown tones and occasional lighter flecks. Suitable for lighter driveways and paths, and it glistens subtly when wet.
- Flamengo (20mm) – a vibrant off-white marble gravel with pink, grey, peach and blue shades. Best used where it can be admired up close, like in borders and garden paths.
- Charcoal Granite (20mm) – a striking black granite gravel that looks even bolder when wet. Often used to create contrast in planting areas or to highlight features.
- Silver Blue Granite (14mm) – small angular stone chippings with silver, grey and pale blue flecks. Durable, ideal for paths and driveways and with a slight sparkle in the sun.
- Cotswold Buff (20mm) – mellow creamy-gold angular limestone gravel. A timeless and economical choice for traditional driveways, paths and larger decorative areas.
- Scottish Pebbles (20–30mm) – smooth round garden pebbles in shades of grey, brown, beige and pink. Perfect for water features and ponds, as they are safe for marine life and the colours intensify when wet. (Not recommended for driveways).
- Dove Grey (20mm) – angular limestone chippings in a pale grey colour that deepens to a richer tone when wet. Well-suited to drives and larger landscaping projects.
We can also supply smaller bags (25kg) of Cotswold Buff (20mm) and Scottish Pebbles (40–60mm). As well as Dove Grey, Charcoal Granite and Silver Blue Granite (20mm). These are perfect for smaller areas and features, or for topping up existing path gravel or driveway stone.
Or for something a little different, how about eye-catching slate chippings in green, blue or plum? These vibrant stones lay flat and are comfortable to walk on, making them popular for paths, borders and mulching. We also stock Black Ice gravel – a dramatic mix of black basalt and white marble mix. Perfect for creating chic paths, driveways and edges that hide dirt well.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using decorative aggregates?
- Excellent drainage – water runs freely through gravel, reducing puddles and pooling.
- Weed reduction – when laid over a membrane, stone chippings block light to the soil.
- Moisture retention – gravel mulch reduces evaporation from soil to retain its moisture.
- Low-maintenance – requires minimal upkeep compared to paving or lawned areas.
- Cost-effective – decorative aggregates are more affordable and quicker to install than block paving, with more styles available than asphalt.
- Durable – quality stone can last for decades without needing replacement – just an occasional top-up.
Which gravel is best for my project?
The best stone chippings or pebbles for your project will depend on its purpose, the amount of traffic it will receive and the look you want to achieve. As a general rule, however, we’d recommend the following:
Driveways – choose hard, angular gravel like granite, quartz or basalt around 20mm in size. This interlocks when compacted, creating a stable surface that resists rutting. Limestone is also a popular choice for its natural warmth, but as a softer stone it will wear more quickly in heavily used areas. Avoid small pea gravel and large rounded pebbles prone to moving.
Garden Paths – 10–20mm gravel offers a good balance of stability and comfort underfoot. A 10–14mm gravel beds together neatly to create a smooth walking surface, while 20mm is still comfortable and less likely to get stuck in shoe treads. Angular chippings work best for paths with frequent footfall, while rounded stones can be used on walkways that only see light use.
Borders and Decorative Areas – most aggregates can be used in these locations. The choice comes down to style: pale tones brighten shaded areas, darker tones add drama and mixed colours create a more natural look that disguises dirt and leaf fall. Slate chippings are another attractive option and can double as a weed-suppressing mulch.
Water Features and Ponds – Scottish garden pebbles or other rounded stones are ideal, as their smooth shapes create a natural look and are gentle on pond liners. Many look especially attractive when submerged, with colours deepening when wet.
How much gravel will I need?
For decorative areas and path gravel, we’d recommend a depth of 40–50mm. Meanwhile, driveways should be covered with a slightly deeper 70mm aggregate layer to allow for compaction under vehicles. For reference, a 850kg bag covers around 12m² at 50mm deep.
For a more accurate calculation, try this:
- Measure the length × width of the area in metres.
- Multiply to get m².
- Multiply by your chosen depth in metres (e.g. 0.05 for 50mm).
- Multiply by 1.6 to get the weight in tonnes.
Tip: order 10% more than estimated to allow for settlement and adjustments when installing.
How do I lay a gravel driveway or path?
- Prepare the area by excavating to a suitable depth and removing weeds and debris.
- Install a sub-base – lay and compact MOT Type 1 hardcore to 100–150mm before laying driveway gravel, and 50–100mm for path gravel.
- Add a weed membrane to prevent weed growth and stop the gravel from sinking.
- Consider stabiliser grids to keep driveway stone in place and prevent spreading.
- Spread the gravel – start at one edge and work across, raking or brushing it evenly across the surface.
- Settle the surface – lightly hose-down the gravel to bed it in and enhance its colour.
How do I stop weeds from growing through my gravel?
Weeds are the top maintenance concern for gravel areas. Here’s how to keep them at bay:
- Use a weed membrane – your first and most effective line of defence, stopping light from reaching the soil beneath.
- Manual weeding – remove any weeds as soon as you see them. These often come from seeds blown in by the wind or dropped by birds.
- Weedkillers – for persistent weeds, use a contact weedkiller. For a quick, chemical-free fix on small patches, boiling water can also be effective.
- Regular raking – lightly raking the gravel disturbs germinating seeds to stop growth.
How do I keep my gravel clean?
Gravel needs little attention once laid, but occasional care will help to keep it looking fresh:
- Clear leaves and debris with a broom or spring-tined rake once a week.
- Remove weeds from the roots as soon as you spot them and rake regularly to reduce.
- Treat algae and moss with patio cleaner or diluted bleach solution, then rinse well.
- Refresh the stone’s colour by removing dust and dirt with an occasional hose down.
Do you deliver?
Yes – we offer nationwide delivery of all decorative gravel, slate chippings, garden pebbles and driveway stone via trusted pallet services. Costs depend on weight and distance, and we’ll provide a quote before you buy so you know what to expect. Alternatively, you’re welcome to collect your order directly from our Ewshot yard near Farnham. For availability or a delivery estimate, please call 01252 705979 or email your enquiry to info@lovestoneuk.com.