Decorative Aggregates, Winchester

CWM Aggregates Ltd supplies decorative aggregates across Winchester for driveways, garden paths, borders, rockeries and other outdoor projects. Materials can be ordered by homeowners, landscapers and contractors, and delivery is available to Winchester and surrounding areas including Kings Worthy, Twyford, Colden Common and Sparsholt. Our yard is based at Knowle Lane in Fair Oak, a short drive south of the city.

Decorative Stone and Gravel Available for Winchester Projects

Our decorative range covers the finishes most commonly used on Hampshire properties, from period cottages in the villages around the city to newer housing on the edge of Winchester.

• Gravel and chippings – used on driveways, paths and borders, and available in different sizes depending on where the material will be laid.
• Slate chippings – supplied in blue, plum and green, which give a flatter, layered finish that works well on borders and modern planting schemes.
• Cobbles and pebbles – larger, rounded stones suited to water features, edging and decorative accents rather than areas that take regular foot traffic.
• Golden gravel and flint – warmer, more traditional colours that tend to sit well against brick and stone properties.

If you are unsure which material suits your project, the team can talk through the options based on the area you are covering and the finish you want.

Choosing Between Angular and Rounded Stone

The main difference between angular and rounded decorative stone is how it behaves once it is laid. Angular chippings have broken faces that lock together underfoot, which helps them stay in place on driveways and paths. Rounded pebbles and gravel move more easily under tyres and shoes, so they are usually better kept to borders, beds and decorative features where they are not walked or driven over.

Stone size matters for the same reason. Smaller 10mm gravel is more comfortable to walk on and less likely to spill onto adjoining paving, while 20mm gravel is less prone to catching in tyre treads and is the more common choice for driveways.

Working Out How Much You Need

The quantity of decorative aggregate required depends on the area being covered and the depth you intend to lay. As a general guide, decorative gravel is laid deeper on driveways than on borders, because a thin covering will move under vehicle weight and expose the surface beneath.

You can use the aggregates calculator on this page to work out an approximate volume from the width, length and depth of your area. It is worth allowing a small margin on top of the calculated figure, as gravel settles once it is walked on or compacted. The team can also check your measurements before you order.

Preparing the Ground Before the Stone Arrives

Decorative aggregates last longer and stay tidier when they are laid over a prepared base. Most driveways need a compacted sub-base beneath the decorative layer to spread vehicle weight and prevent rutting, and a permeable membrane underneath the stone helps limit weed growth and stops the gravel working down into the soil.

For borders and beds, the preparation is simpler, though a membrane is still useful. Edging of some kind, whether timber, metal or brick, keeps loose stone contained and reduces the amount that migrates onto lawns and paths. We also supply the sub-base materials, sharp sand and building products needed for this stage, so groundwork and decorative materials can be ordered together.

Delivery to Winchester and the Surrounding Villages

Decorative aggregates can be delivered loose in tipper or grab lorries, or supplied in bags for smaller quantities. Loose deliveries suit larger driveways and landscaping jobs, while bagged material is easier to handle where access is limited or the stone needs to be moved by hand.

Before booking a delivery into Winchester, it helps to check a few practical points:

• Whether the lorry can reach the property, particularly on narrower lanes in the villages and on terraced streets closer to the city centre
• Where the material can be tipped, and whether that spot is clear of parked cars, overhanging branches and low cables
• Any parking restrictions or permit requirements on the road outside
• Whether the tipping point is on a hard surface, as loose stone tipped onto a lawn is harder to clear

If access is tight, let the team know when you order so a suitable vehicle and quantity can be arranged.

Trade and Contractor Orders

Landscapers, groundworkers and builders working in and around Winchester can order decorative and construction materials from the same yard, which reduces the number of separate suppliers involved on a job. Grab and tipper hire is also available where waste needs removing from site at the same time as materials are brought in. Trade accounts are available for regular customers.

Order Decorative Aggregates in Winchester

Call 023 8069 6482 or contact the team for current prices, available materials and delivery dates in Winchester. If you have measurements to hand, we can confirm the quantity you are likely to need before you place the order.

Decorative Aggregates in Winchester: FAQs

Which decorative aggregate works best on a driveway?

Angular gravel or chippings around 20mm in size are the usual choice for driveways, because the stones knit together under vehicle weight and are less likely to lodge in tyre treads. The material needs a properly compacted sub-base beneath it to stay level over time.

Can decorative aggregates be delivered to properties in central Winchester?

Deliveries can be made into the city, though access is the main consideration on narrower residential streets and where parking is restricted. Telling us about access when you order allows a suitable vehicle or bagged option to be arranged.

How deep should decorative gravel be laid?

Gravel is laid deeper on driveways than on garden borders, as a shallow layer will rut and expose the membrane once vehicles drive over it. The team can advise on a suitable depth for your surface, and the calculator will convert that depth into an approximate volume.

Do I need a membrane under decorative stone?

A permeable membrane is generally worth laying beneath decorative aggregates. It reduces weed growth and keeps the stone from sinking into the soil, which helps the finish stay even for longer.

Can I collect decorative aggregates instead of arranging delivery?

Collection from the yard at Knowle Lane in Fair Oak is possible for smaller quantities, which suits customers in Winchester who only need a bag or two. Contact the team first to check availability and opening times.

Is decorative stone suitable for a garden path that gets a lot of use?

Smaller angular chippings are more comfortable to walk on and stay in place better than rounded pebbles, which tend to shift underfoot. Edging along the sides of the path will also keep the stone where it is meant to be.

Our other services and products in Winchester