Creating gravel/stepping stone path

[michael12345]

I want to try and attempt to create a simple gravel path by removing the grass area adjacent to the road as per the picture.
As a relative casual DIY'er, is there anything specific I should be aware of being next to the road? Would I need a border or is this not really necessary?
Was thinking of digging out the grass to a suitable depth and then laying & compacting a layer of gravel, then weed membrane, followed by a few stepping stones surrounded by the gravel. Does this sound about right?

Apologies I'm not an expert with this!

Many Thanks

 

[Odds]

Dig down a spade length to sub-soil; flatten, apply a sand substrate layered over with fine gravel. Compact that layer and place a weed membrane over the top, leaving a couple of inches over the edge before adding another layer of sand/grit, compacting as before then adding your stepping stones an inch higher than the kerb, with decorative stones around them, making sure they're an inch lower than the kerb to prevent them spilling on to the pavement.

*make sure you leave the service plate free for future inspection.

 

[michael12345]

Many thanks for your advice. Would you recommend cementing the stepping stones in place so they are solid with minimal chance of them shifting?
I'd be looking to place 3 or 4 in the section of grass as per the picture.
Also regarding the 2 service plates, I assume digging up the grass/soil around them and replacing with gravel won't pose any issues?

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

 

[stevie888]

Fabric down first, crushed concrete or type 1 next, bed your slabs on mortar and then infill. Depth of gravel wants to be about 2x stone size, Crushed stone might look nicer

 

[Notch7]

gravel will end up creeping over the drive

I would use self binding gravel, add some decorate small chippings if you want it to look more appealing

Cotswold Self Binding Gravel

<p>Cotswold self binding path is a limestone aggregate that ranges from 10mm down to a dust. It provides a natural effect but with a firmer finish than gravel. Similar products have different names like Gold Path Gravel or Hoggin Footpath Gravel. The self binding path gravel is normally laid on...

www.gravelshed.com

 

[Odds]

Many thanks for your advice. Would you recommend cementing the stepping stones in place so they are solid with minimal chance of them shifting?
I'd be looking to place 3 or 4 in the section of grass as per the picture.
Also regarding the 2 service plates, I assume digging up the grass/soil around them and replacing with gravel won't pose any issues?

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

On such a small patch cementing in place shouldn't be necessary, and i wouldn't put membrane down first as pressure from sand/gravel will push it into the subsoil. Carefully digging around the plates shouldn't be a problem - i use a big old blade i made for such a job, but a trowel will do just as well.

 

[michael12345]

Ok, don't think cementing would be really necessary then. I've read so many 'guides' on how to do this process I think I've royally confused myself but think if I keep it simple it should be ok!

Basically I'm fed up of stepping out the car onto muddy grass hence why I thought replacing this strip with gravel would be far cleaner snd better!

If you were me would you be doing this or something different?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

keep it simple

Does a patch of gravel really need stepping stones? I guess if you're wearing stilettos it might be problematic otherwise.
You could start by just plonking a couple of stepping stones on the grass and see how you go. It's not like it's a high-traffic area that needs meticulous prep.

 

[scbk]

Basically I'm fed up of stepping out the car onto muddy grass hence why I thought replacing this strip with gravel would be far cleaner snd better!

If you were me would you be doing this or something different?

Are we looking at your driveway, or a road on a housing scheme etc?
Park the car further from the kerb and walk on the block paving? Park the car facing the other direction, so drivers door isn't over the grass?
Put down a row of paving slabs, with no gravel?

 

[michael12345]

Sorry I should have made it clearer but that's the road (not my driveway) next to the front of my house. The area gets quite muddy in the winter but thinking about it don't think I'll bother with stepping stones & will just keep it simple with some decorative stones/gravel.

 

[Odds]

A stone or two to step on wouldn't be a bad idea. They'd help settle the surrounding stones in place and ensure they wouldn't shift and spill on to the pavement when stepped upon. You can get 'em with a decorative design too.

 

[robinbanks]

For a real quick fix, if you park the other way round and not so as to block your path, you aren't stepping out onto the mud