Play Sand and Horticultural Materials

BS EN 1177 is the British and European standard that specifies the safety requirements for impact-attenuating playground surfacing, including loose-fill materials like sand. Play Sand certified to BS EN 1177 has been tested for grain size, shape, cleanliness and impact-absorbing properties, helping reduce the severity of injuries from falls. For schools, nurseries, public playgrounds and home sandpits, choosing certified play sand is essential for safety and compliance.

Play Sand is washed, screened and certified safe for children's use - it's free from sharp particles, contaminants and clay binders. Building Sand (soft sand) is intended for mortar mixes and is not suitable for play areas as it can stain skin and clothing and is not tested to safety standards. Always use BS EN 1177 certified Play Sand in sandpits, playgrounds and any environment where children will be in direct contact with the sand.

Horticultural Grit is a clean, lime-free coarse aggregate used by gardeners and growers to improve drainage in pots and borders, mix into compost for cuttings and seedlings, top-dress alpine plants and cacti, and prevent waterlogging in containers. Our 20KG bags are professional grade and ideal for everything from small home pot plants to larger landscaping and propagation projects.

As a rough guide, a sandpit measuring 1.5m x 1.5m filled to a depth of 20cm needs around 450KG of sand - that's roughly 22 of our 20KG bags. For smaller home sandpits a few bags is usually enough, while school and nursery play areas often need a tipped bulk delivery. Call us on 01635 865679 with your dimensions and we'll help you calculate the right quantity.

Yes - all our 20KG pre packed Play Sand and Horticultural Grit bags are available for collection from our Thatcham yard. The bags are easy to lift and fit into a car boot, estate or small van. Schools, nurseries and trade customers are welcome to collect, and our yard staff can help you load. Call 01635 865679 before visiting to check stock and current yard opening hours.

Compost, woodchip and bark mulch are seasonal products and availability varies through the year. We typically have the widest selection in spring and autumn when gardening demand is highest. Because stock changes regularly, please call 01635 865679 (Thatcham) or 01635 40009 (Newbury) before travelling so we can confirm what's currently in stock.

Our Play Sand is washed and certified to BS EN 1177 for children's play areas, which makes it clean and free from harmful contaminants. While it is generally suitable for use in covered outdoor sandpits, it is not specifically marketed as cat litter and won't clump like cat-litter products. If you specifically need a pet product we'd recommend a dedicated cat litter, but BS EN 1177 Play Sand is a safe, clean choice for general outdoor sand applications.

Yes - we offer competitive pricing and bulk discounts on 20KG Play Sand and Horticultural Grit when buying in larger quantities. Schools, nurseries, landscapers and trade customers can access preferential rates. For larger play area installations or major landscaping jobs, a bulk bag or tipped delivery may be more economical. Call 01635 865679 or 01635 40009 to discuss your requirements and get a quote.