GravelDrivewaysinBournemouth&Poole
Loose gravel laid on a compacted sub-base with edge restraint and drainage built in, not just tipped and raked over soil.
- Geotextile membrane and compacted sub-base laid to depth
- Edge restraint fitted so the stones stay where they are put
- Falls and drainage designed in before the gravel goes down
- 2 yearsWarranty on work
- Owner-ledOne team throughout
- In-houseBy our own team
- CSCS · SSSTS · NVQ 2Qualified team
What A Gravel Driveway Actually Is
A gravel driveway is a compacted sub-base finished with a layer of loose stone, held at the edges by a fitted restraint so it does not spread onto the lawn or the road. Laid correctly, it drains through the surface rather than pooling on top of it, and it does not rut under a car because the sub-base underneath is carrying the load, not the stones. It suits period properties, streets where a softer look is in keeping, and driveways where block paving or tarmac would feel too formal.
How We Take On A Gravel Driveway
From the first visit to the walk-round, in three stages.
01Visit And Quote
We look at access, drainage and the ground itself, then give a fixed, itemised quote before anything starts.
02Dig-Out And Sub-Base
The old surface and spoil come out, muck away included, then the sub-base goes in compacted to the right depth with the falls set.
- 03
Lay And Walk-Round
Edge restraint, membrane and gravel finish the job, then we walk the site with you before we leave, and come back if anything settles.
1 week
Typical gravel driveway, start to finish
15+
Years in groundworks and landscaping
35 miles
Working radius from our Bournemouth base
Fixed price
Itemised and agreed before work starts
Gravel, Block Paving Or Tarmac
Three driveway surfaces we install regularly, compared honestly. What suits a period cottage is not always right for a busy family drive.
| Gravel | Block Paving | Tarmac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Loose stone finish, softer and more traditional | Formal, uniform pattern, wide colour choice | Plain, dark, modern |
| Drainage | Water passes through the surface itself when laid correctly | Falls set into the paving, water runs to a drain or channel | Falls set into the surface, sealed and impermeable |
| Upkeep | An occasional rake back and top-up, and weeds need managing | Very low, occasional re-sanding of the joints | Very low, occasional crack sealing |
| Best suited to | Period properties and drives where a softer look is wanted | Family drives wanting a defined pattern | A hard-wearing, low-fuss everyday surface |
Swipe to see every column
What Is Included As Standard
Every gravel driveway we lay carries the same specification.
Full Dig-Out
The old surface, roots and spoil are removed and taken away, not left on site.
Geotextile Membrane
Laid before the sub-base to stop stones working down into the soil and weeds working up.
Compacted Sub-Base
Stone laid to depth and compacted in layers so the surface does not rut or sink.
Edge Restraint And Falls
A fitted edge to hold the line, and falls built in so water leaves the drive.
Pricing
Gravel Driveway Cost
Priced after a look at the ground
A gravel drive laid properly still needs the dig-out, the sub-base and the edge restraint, so the cost follows the same things a block drive does. Area, how much comes out, access for the machine, and whether the ground needs drainage before any stone goes down. We quote it in writing after a visit.
- What moves it: area, dig-out depth, edging run and access
- Written and itemised before work starts
- No obligation to book
How A Gravel Driveway Job Runs
The same sequence for a small driveway or a full rebuild.
Visit And Measure Up
We look at access, the existing surface, drainage and ground conditions, and talk through gravel type and edging.
Fixed, Itemised Quote
A written quote with no hidden extras, so the price does not move once work starts.
Dig-Out, Muck Away And Sub-Base
The old surface comes out, spoil is removed, and the sub-base goes in compacted to depth with falls set for drainage.
Edging, Gravel And Walk-Round
Edge restraint and membrane go in, gravel is laid and levelled, then we walk the finished drive with you. Most standard driveways are finished inside a week.
Gravel Driveways We Have Laid
A spread of gravel driveways across Bournemouth and Poole, not the same job shown four times.
Reviews From Across Bournemouth And Poole
These reviews cover the full range of groundworks and landscaping work we carry out across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset, not gravel driveways alone.
Grace Sibley
Jacc and his team did a full patio renovation for us inclusive of sorting out some significant drainage problems. Jacc and his team have been professional through out and provided a high quality service even through some significantly challenging weather. I cannot fault them at all. Jacc and Jordan went above and beyond for us and despite it being 37 degrees carried on grafting to get us a usable patio before our sons 1st birthday. The work was efficient, they kept the place tidy with waste removal being organised within 48 hours of it being produced I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Four Ground for your upcoming landscape/ground works project.
Asa Parker
I'm very happy with the work Jacc and this team have done. They removed the old driveway and previous concrete pads, before levelling and laying a new larger reinforced concrete slab and block paving driveway. Jacc was very helpful throughout.
Chris Lynch
We used Jacc and his team to lay the foundations and over site for a single story extension. After getting plenty of quotes he was very competitive and his enthusiasm and communication was exceptional. Our plan is to have Jacc back to complete our patio area and ground drainage - he's trustworthy, reliable and has a fantastic attitude - something that we've realised is really hard to come by in the building trade. Thanks so much Jacc and team!
A.G Reeks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly & Honest Excellent service from start to finish. The drainage work was explained clearly, priced fairly, and completed efficiently. The lads were polite, hardworking, and respectful of the property. It's refreshing to deal with a company you can trust. Would definitely use again.
Rachel
We are so pleased with all the work we have had done - our back garden was a total mess, but the guys completely transformed it with a brilliant new concrete area and some lovely planters. They even sorted out and tidied our front drive with a temporary fix, which has given the whole house a massive face-lift. The whole team were so friendly and down-to-earth. Big shout-out to Jacc as well, who was always around for a chat whenever we had any questions. Honestly couldn't recommend them enough if you need a landscaping company for gardens or driveways.
jeff sullivan
After being let down at the last minute by another landscaper, Jacc was recommended to me. I messaged and received a prompt reply. Jacc visited to give a quote and start date. He arrived when expected to start on a new patio, whilst he was working, I asked for a quote for new concrete fence posts and panels, again I was happy with the quote and it could be done at the same time, result... Its now all completed, I'm impressed with the new patio and fence, jacc was professional and takes pride in his work, his easy to get on with and very approachable. Highly recommended, and thanks again Jacc 👍
A Recent Gravel Driveway Project
A closer look at driveway work we have taken from dig-out to finish.
The Questions Worth Asking Before You Book
What people usually want settled before a gravel driveway goes ahead.
Will the dig-out make a mess of the rest of the garden?
A dig-out is messy for a couple of days. We sheet the path and any lawn nearby and sweep down every evening, so the mess does not spread past the drive itself.
Will the gravel spread onto the lawn or the road?
Edge restraint is fitted around the whole area before the gravel goes down, so the stones stay inside the line rather than working loose onto the grass or the pavement.
Will it puddle or flood like the last one?
Falls are set into the sub-base and the layer beneath is permeable, so water moves through the surface rather than sitting on top of it.
What A Failing Gravel Driveway Actually Means
What you can see, and what is usually causing it underneath.
The gravel is thinning out in the middle of the drive
What it actually isUsually a driveway laid straight onto soil or a thin base, so the stones work down into the ground under the weight of a car rather than staying on top of it.
What it needsWe dig out, fit a geotextile membrane and a compacted sub-base, then relay the gravel so it has something solid to sit on.
Weeds coming through between the stones
What it actually isNo membrane was laid beneath the gravel, so weeds root straight into the soil underneath.
What it needsA geotextile membrane laid before the sub-base stops weeds rooting up through the surface.
Ruts appearing where cars turn or park
What it actually isThe sub-base under the gravel was not compacted to depth, so it moves under load instead of carrying it.
What it needsStone compacted in layers to the right depth takes the weight, so the surface on top stays put.
Gravel Driveway Cost, Resin Bound Gravel And Local Ground Conditions
What drives gravel driveway cost is rarely the stone itself. The bigger costs are what comes out before the gravel goes in: removing an old surface, muck away, and building a sub-base deep enough to carry a car without rutting. A driveway going straight onto an existing hardstanding costs less to prepare than one being dug out from scratch, which is why every gravel driveway is priced after a visit rather than from a standard rate.
A resin bound gravel driveway is a different product: stone bonded into a solid, level surface rather than left loose. We do not currently install resin bound surfaces. A loose gravel driveway, laid on a proper sub-base with edge restraint and drainage built in, gives a similar look at a different price point and a different maintenance pattern. It needs an occasional rake and top-up, where resin does not.
Ground conditions around Bournemouth and Poole vary from street to street. Some gardens sit on sandy soil that drains quickly, others have a layer of clay or made-up ground that holds water, so what a gravel driveway needs underneath is not the same on every road. That is the reason for a site visit before any price is given: the sub-base depth and drainage are set for the ground that is actually there, not assumed from the postcode.
Gravel Driveway Questions
What people usually ask before booking a gravel driveway.
How much does a gravel driveway cost?
It depends on the size of the drive, what is being dug out, access for machinery and how much drainage work is needed, so every gravel driveway is priced after a visit rather than a figure that would not survive contact with the ground.
Do you do resin bound gravel driveways?
No, we do not currently install resin bound surfaces. What we install is loose gravel laid to a proper spec: geotextile membrane, compacted sub-base, edge restraint and drainage, so it does not migrate, rut or need topping up every year.
How long does a gravel driveway take to lay?
Most standard driveways are finished inside a week, confirmed at the site visit once we know what is coming out and what is going in.
Will the gravel move around or need topping up?
Not if it is laid on a proper sub-base with edge restraint. Loose gravel that shifts around is usually a sign it was tipped straight onto soil without either.
Do I need planning permission for a gravel driveway?
A permeable surface like gravel usually avoids the planning permission that applies to sealed driveways, though the detail varies by property and council, so it is worth checking with us or the local planning department before work starts.
Are you on Checkatrade and Google?
Yes. We are an approved Checkatrade member and hold Google Guaranteed status. Behind that are over 15 years in groundworks and landscaping and the trade cards to go with it: CSCS, Street Works, SSSTS and NVQ Level 2.
Looking For A Different Driveway Surface?
Every driveway surface we install, in one place.
01Block Paving
A formal, patterned finish in a wide range of colours, for drives that want a defined look.
Learn more
02Tarmac Driveways
A plain, hard-wearing, low-maintenance surface for a straightforward everyday drive.
Learn more
03Concrete Driveways
A solid, poured surface for drives that need to take heavy or frequent vehicle weight.
Learn more
Gravel Driveways Across Bournemouth And Poole
Areas we lay gravel driveways in regularly.
Poole
One of our two core areas, with driveways ranging from tight period plots to wide modern drives.
Poole coverageChristchurch
Regular driveway and groundworks jobs across Christchurch, from harbourside streets to newer estates.
Christchurch coverageFerndown
A steady flow of driveway work here, six miles out from the yard.
Ferndown coverageWimborne Minster
Older properties and rural plots where a gravel finish suits the setting.
Wimborne Minster coverageGet a free quote
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk? Call Four Groundworks & Landscaping on 07886 075828
Gravel drives we have finished recently
Edging, membrane and the depth of stone are what stop a gravel drive spreading across the pavement. These go up on our Instagram as each one finishes.
See more on Instagram