Paths & Steps in Marston Moretaine

The ground around Marston Moretaine can be heavy and slow draining, which shows up quickly in garden paths. A path laid on a thin layer of sand over clay tends to dip where people walk most and hold water in the low spots. The fix is a deeper, well compacted sub-base, sometimes with a geotextile layer, so the load spreads and the surface stays even.

Many homes here have a mix of older properties and newer estates, and the paths we build most often link the back door to a side gate, the bins, and a shed at the end of the garden. On heavier ground, those routes also need to shed water, so we build in a gentle fall and, where needed, a gravel margin or a channel to carry rain away.

Where a garden steps up or down, outdoor steps must be set on solid foundations. Heavy ground can move a little through the seasons, so we take each step down to firm material and bed it properly. Every riser is kept the same height so the flight feels natural to walk.

Side passages can be the trickiest part. With walls on both sides and little sun, they stay damp, and water can pool against the house. We keep the finished level below the damp proof course and make sure the fall takes water to a drain rather than towards the brickwork.

If you are planning a longer path to a garden office or workshop, think about how you will use it in winter. A route that drains well and has some lighting along it will feel safer and stay usable all year.

Edges need extra care on this kind of soil. A path edging set only in soil can be pushed outwards as clay swells and shrinks with the seasons, so we haunch each edging unit in concrete. That keeps the line straight and stops the surface spreading at the sides.

Timing helps too. Digging out heavy ground is far easier in a drier spell, when the spoil is lighter to move and the base can be compacted properly. We will suggest a sensible window and keep you informed if the weather changes the plan.