How to Lay a Gravel Driveway — Step-by-Step UK Guide

What You'll Need

Before You Start

• Check for underground services using a CAT scanner, especially near the house.
• If creating a new vehicle crossover, apply to your local council for a dropped kerb — this typically takes 4-8 weeks and costs £800-£2,000.
• Plan for drainage — gravel is permeable, but the sub-base may need a slight fall towards a soakaway or lawn edge.
• Use our Gravel Calculator for aggregate quantities, Type 1 Sub-Base Calculator for sub-base volumes, and Weed Membrane Calculator for membrane coverage.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mark Out and Excavate

Mark out the driveway using string lines. Excavate to 250-300mm depth below the desired finished level. Remove all topsoil and vegetation. Keep the excavation tidy with straight edges.

Step 2: Install Edging

Install permanent edging before the sub-base. Options include treated timber boards (50 x 150mm staked with pegs every 600mm), metal lawn edging, or a soldier course of bricks on a mortar bed. The edging must be strong enough to contain the gravel under vehicle traffic.

Step 3: Compact the Sub-Grade

Compact the exposed earth with a whacker plate. If the ground is clay, consider a layer of geotextile separation membrane before the sub-base to prevent clay contaminating the stone.

Step 4: Lay the Sub-Base

Spread Type 1 MOT in layers no more than 75mm deep. Compact each layer with the whacker plate before adding the next. Build up to 200mm compacted depth. Create a slight camber (crown in the centre) or crossfall to shed water towards the edges.

Step 5: Lay Weed Membrane

Roll out heavy-duty weed membrane over the compacted sub-base. Overlap sheets by at least 150mm. Pin the membrane to the sub-base with membrane pins at 300mm intervals along the overlaps and edges. The membrane prevents gravel sinking into the sub-base and stops weed growth.

Step 6: Install Gravel Grids (Optional)

For high-traffic areas, lay gravel retention grids on top of the membrane. These honeycomb panels keep gravel in place, prevent rutting and make the surface easier to walk and drive on. They are particularly worth the cost on sloped driveways.

Step 7: Spread the Gravel

Spread decorative gravel to a depth of 50mm (approximately 100kg per m²). Use a landscaping rake to achieve an even finish. Avoid overfilling — too much loose gravel makes driving and walking difficult.

Step 8: Compact and Finish

Lightly compact the gravel with the whacker plate or simply let traffic bed it in over the first few weeks. Top up any thin spots after a month. The gravel will settle by 10-15% over the first season.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the sub-base: Gravel laid directly on soil sinks into the ground within a year, especially in winter.
• No edging: Without proper edging, gravel migrates onto lawns, paths and roads. This is the single biggest cause of gravel driveway frustration.
• Using rounded gravel: Rounded pea gravel rolls under tyres and feet. Angular stone locks together and stays put.
• Too much gravel: More than 50mm of loose gravel makes driving and walking difficult — tyres dig in and you get ruts.
• No membrane: Without a membrane, gravel works its way into the sub-base and weeds push through within a season.

Cost Estimate (2026 UK Prices)

Use our Gravel Calculator, Type 1 Sub-Base Calculator and Weed Membrane Calculator for exact quantities.