Paving for a Victorian Garden/House. Where do I start?

[truenorth]

Hello again everyone,

I'm looking to take up the rather nasty pattern imprinted concrete monstrosity that takes up the majority of the front garden on my c1850 house, and am trying to replace with something more suitable.

The garden still need to be paved somehow, as this will then frame a small, natural cottage style garden.

Can anyone point me in the direction to see what sort of materials should be used, what sort of colours are relevant and if creating a pattern with the paving is appropriate.

Many thanks as always.

TN

 

[Nemesis]

What is the house material? Best not to stray too far from that...

 

[truenorth]

stone, pretty generic reply I know. A dirty sandy colour.

TN

 

[Nemesis]

I'd keep it simple and matching stone ... a bit of gravel is another possibility?

York Gate uses gravel and some stone setts to make patterns, very inspirational and could be copied on a smaller scale.

But nothing too busy is my view...

http://www.perennial.org.uk/york.html

 

[stickybeak]

.

 

[Nemesis]

A cottage garden would more likely be planted up with the family pig sty and cabbages I suspect, Allingham and all possibly romanticised a bit!

However:
http://www.thecgs.org.uk/


But to 'frame' a garden I'd stick to stone paths (mine has gaps in between) or gravel if cash is a consideration and nothing busy.

 

[biffvernon]

http://www.pavingexpert.com/

 

[Nemesis]

There's a great deal on that site which isn't very appropriate though IMHO...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg2/flat/module3/path_basics1.shtml

Source materials as locally as possible too. Having stuff sent from half way round the world might not be a great idea.

 

[plumbers mate]

If you have a coal fire - use the cinders. They used to make a lovely crunchy sound in my grand parents' garden. (someone once called it "poor man's gravel")

 

[Nemesis]

Yes - very traditional for miners' cottages!

 

[truenorth]

Thanks biff,

your link has led me to a ‘paving expert’ who’s recommended someone he knows, who’s asked me to call... to cut a long story short, I’ve now met a chap that’s helped produce some cracking gardens, all with a very sympathetic eye.

The heavy machinery arrives a week on Tuesday!

Cheers again.

TN

 

[Nemesis]

Hopefully not with multi coloured stone shipped halfway around the world?

(Or indeed in fancy patterns that distract from everything else...)

Sad though isn't it that the concrete which the purveyors of the stuff say will mean you never have to maintain the drive again will go probably for hardcore and you wonder how much it cost to install. And wish it hadn't been.

In my local town a small alleyway which had original setts and was suitably aged and charming looking had them covered over with this ersatz stuff. The owner was over the moon - so much so she was in the local press saying how tidy it now looks and how she felt it was now a credit to the town.

Hmmmm. Not sure it 'conserved and enhanced' the conservation area.