Local Decorative Gravel

For driveways, 20mm decorative gravel is generally the best choice as it provides a stable, interlocking surface that stays in place under vehicle weight. 10mm gravel can also work well on lighter-use driveways or when combined with a geotextile membrane, giving a neater finish. Smaller stones (under 10mm) tend to migrate under tyres and aren't recommended for driveways. For garden paths, 10mm or pea shingle is ideal as it's more comfortable underfoot. Bring your requirements to our Thatcham office or call 01635 865679 for advice tailored to your project.

Yes — we run a gravel matching service at our Thatcham office. Bring in a sample of the gravel you're trying to match (a handful in a bag is enough) and our experienced team will compare it against the varieties we stock and can source. This is particularly useful when extending an existing driveway, topping up a path, or blending into established landscaping where you want continuity. The service is free and we're happy to advise on the closest available match.

Our decorative gravel, pebbles and shingle are sourced from local quarries throughout Berkshire and the surrounding areas. Sourcing locally keeps transport costs down (which means better prices for customers), reduces the carbon footprint of your project, and supports local suppliers. Because products come from regional quarries, colour and stone type reflect the natural geology of the area — which is often what homeowners are looking for when matching an existing property or landscape.

As a rough guide, at a 50mm coverage depth you'll need approximately 1 tonne of gravel per 12-14 square metres. For driveways we'd usually recommend a 50mm depth minimum over a compacted MOT Type 1 sub base. For garden paths 40-50mm is typical. For decorative top-dressing in beds and planters, 25-30mm is enough. Call us on 01635 865679 with your area measurements and we'll calculate the exact quantity and provide a quote for delivery.

Yes — we stock samples of our local decorative gravel varieties at our Thatcham office so you can see the colour, size and texture in person before committing to a bulk order. Please be aware that certain sizes or colours may not always be available due to quarry stock levels, so if you're planning a specific project it's worth calling ahead on 01635 865679 to confirm availability of the variety you're interested in.

Gravel is a general term for small crushed or naturally-formed stones, usually angular, graded by size (e.g. 10mm, 20mm). Shingle is typically rounded rather than angular, formed by natural water action, and often softer underfoot — pea shingle is the classic example used for paths and decorative areas. Pebbles are larger, smoother, individually attractive stones used for decorative features like water features, borders, planters and top-dressing. All three are suitable for different landscaping applications, and we stock a range of each from local sources.

Yes, we deliver decorative gravel, pebbles and shingle throughout Thatcham, Newbury, Reading and the wider Berkshire, North Hampshire and Southern Oxfordshire area. Delivery is available in bulk bags or loose tipped loads depending on your access and quantity. For smaller quantities, collection from our Thatcham yard is also an option. Contact us on 01635 865679 for delivery pricing and to confirm availability in your area.