Driveway Cobbles

Give driveways the timeless character of antique cobbles with the ease and reliability of engineered cobblestone setts. Our Pavestone Mix and granite setts recreate a weathered, time-earned finish while offering the strength, consistency, and quick-lay benefits landscapers need on UK projects.

Trade benefits: heavy-duty options for driveways, varied sizes for borders/motifs, calibrated units for fast laying, and trade packs with free samples.

Categories

Cobbles Setts, Edging

Block Paving

Herringbone Cobbles

Why spec driveway cobbles?

  • Authentic appearance: moulded from aged cobbles for natural texture and tonal variation.
  • Engineered durability: concrete setts manufactured to withstand vehicle loads and UK weather.
  • Design flexibility: single tones for uniform drives or blended mixes for a traditional, natural look.
  • Low maintenance: sealed units resist staining; easy to sweep and pressure-clean.

Key product types & finishes

  • Concrete cobble setts (Pavestone Mix): economical, durable, and available in mixed tones.
  • Granite setts: premium, heavy-duty, excellent for high-traffic driveways and decorative borders; available in silver-grey and black.
  • Finishes: tumbled/aged (authentic antique look), sawn/clean (modern finish), riven/textured (anti-slip).

Typical sizes & trade specs

Always confirm exact SKU specs (thickness, tolerance, m² per pack) with your supplier before ordering.

  • Common unit sizes: 50×50 mm, 100×100 mm, 100×200 mm (setts and cobbles are sold as individual units or prepacked patterns).

  • Typical thickness (engineered setts): 40–60 mm for driveways (heavier for granite).

  • Pack information to show on product pages: pieces per pack, m² per pack, pack weight, calibrated tolerance (±mm).


Groundwork & installation guidance (practical for landscapers)

  • Sub-base: For driveways use a minimum 150 mm compacted Type 1 (crushed stone) sub-base — increase depth for heavier vehicles.

  • Bedding & laying: Lay setts on a compacted bed of 10–30 mm grit sand or mortar, depending on the recommended method for your chosen product. For true driveways consider full mortar bedding or concrete haunching at edges.

  • Jointing: Use kiln-dried sand for traditional installations. For stronger, weed-resistant joints, use polymeric sand or resin jointing. For high-traffic or gradient driveways, use mortar or resin bonding for added strength.

  • Edge restraints: Install strong edge restraints (concrete kerbs or haunching) to prevent movement under load.

  • Compaction: After laying, compact with a plate compactor over a protective mat to bed units without chipping faces (use a rubber mat or board).

  • Drainage & falls: Ensure falls of at least 1:80 for surface water run-off and avoid pooling.


Design guidance & tips

  1. Borders & motifs: Use granite or sandstone setts for contrast and crisp edges.
  2. Mixing colours: blend packs on-site before laying to avoid banding and to achieve natural variation.
  3. Pattern options: stretcher bond, herringbone (excellent for load distribution), fan patterns for period properties. Herringbone (preferably 45° or 90°) improves interlock for vehicular loads.

Maintenance & longevity

  1. Sweep regularly and remove weeds from joints.
  2. Pressure-wash occasionally to remove ingrained dirt — avoid excessive pressure near edges.
  3. Replenish joint sand or resin as needed.
  4. With correct installation and base preparation, driveway setts can last for decades — granite setts offer the longest lifetime with minimal wear.

Quick technical answers (PAA / Featured snippet style)

What thickness do driveway cobbles need?
Most engineered concrete setts for driveways are 40–60 mm thick; granite setts are typically heavier. Always follow supplier thickness and base guidance for vehicular use.

How deep should the base be for a driveway?
A minimum 150 mm compacted Type 1 sub-base is recommended for private driveways; increase depth for heavier vehicles and commercial use.

Are cobblestone setts low maintenance?
Yes — they are low maintenance when properly installed. Regular sweeping, occasional pressure-washing and replenishing joint material keeps the surface performing and looking good.


FAQs

Q: Can I use cobble setts on a sloped driveway?
A: Yes — but ensure adequate edge restraint, strong jointing (mortar or resin) and appropriate sub-base depth. Steeper slopes may require drainage checks and tougher joint systems.

Q: Do cobbles handle heavy vehicles?
A: When specified and installed correctly (suitable thickness and reinforced base), both Sandstone and granite setts can withstand normal vehicle loading. For heavy-duty use consult the technical datasheet.

Q: How do I avoid colour banding?
A: Blend units from different packs across the area during laying rather than using single packs per zone. Pre-mix packs to achieve natural variation.