How to Build a Garden Path

A well-built path makes your garden more usable and attractive. Whether you want a simple gravel track or a formal paved walkway, the principles are the same: good preparation and proper drainage.

Choosing your path material

• Gravel: Cheap, easy to lay, and drains well. Needs occasional topping up and edging to keep it in place.
• Paving slabs: Durable and low maintenance. More work to lay but lasts for decades.
• Stepping stones: Informal and easy. Good for light use through borders or across lawns.
• Block paving: Smart appearance but more complex to lay. Best for main paths and driveways.
• Bark chips: Soft and natural looking. Needs replacing every few years as it breaks down.

Planning your path

Before you start digging, think about:

• Width: At least 60cm for a single-file path, 90-120cm for two people to walk side by side.
• Route: The most direct route is not always the best. Gentle curves look natural and can make a garden feel larger.
• Drainage: Water needs somewhere to go. Avoid creating low spots where puddles will form.
• Access: Consider wheelbarrows, lawnmowers and wheelchairs if relevant.

Building a gravel path

1. Mark out the path with string or hosepipe.
2. Dig out the area to a depth of about 10-15cm.
3. Install edging to contain the gravel – timber, metal or plastic edging all work.
4. Lay landscape fabric to suppress weeds.
5. Add a 5-10cm layer of compacted hardcore or MOT Type 1 as a base.
6. Top with 3-5cm of decorative gravel.
7. Rake level and compact lightly.

Laying paving slabs

1. Mark out and dig the path to a depth of about 15cm (more for heavy use).
2. Compact the base and add 10cm of hardcore, compacted in layers.
3. Add a 3-5cm layer of sharp sand and level it with a screed board.
4. Lay slabs on the sand, leaving 10mm gaps between them.
5. Check each slab is level using a spirit level. Tap down with a rubber mallet if needed.
6. Fill joints with kiln-dried sand or a sand/cement mix.
7. Brush off excess and allow to set.

Stepping stones through a lawn

This is the simplest option for a casual path:

1. Lay out the stones at a comfortable walking stride (about 60-70cm centres).
2. Cut around each stone with a half-moon edger.
3. Lift the turf and dig out to the depth of the stone plus 3cm.
4. Add a layer of sharp sand and bed the stone into it.
5. The stone surface should be just below mowing height so you can mow over it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the base: Without a proper sub-base, paving will sink and become uneven.
• Poor drainage: Paths should slope slightly (1:80 is enough) to shed water.
• No edging on gravel: Without edging, gravel spreads onto lawns and beds.
• Cutting corners on materials: Cheap slabs crack, thin gravel washes away. Buy quality.

Maintaining your path

• Gravel: Top up annually, rake level, and treat weeds with weedkiller or by hand.
• Paving: Brush off debris, treat moss and algae with a patio cleaner, re-point joints if they erode.
• Stepping stones: Check they are still level and firm. Re-bed any that have sunk or become wobbly.