An attractive and economical ground cover

By Ben Parrot – Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist

Classification:

Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate

Geological name(s):

Carboniferous limestone

Other Name(s):

Mendip stone, Mendip stone chippings, Mendip grey chippings

Overview

Decorative aggregates like Mendip chippings are an attractive and economical ground cover that can quickly upgrade outdoor spaces whilst performing many practical tasks to reduce maintenance. The stone is primarily grey, with flecks of coral and quartz veins, which give the chippings a unique look that also has a slight sparkle.

This encyclopedia entry offers a comprehensive understanding of the key specifications, advantages, and multifaceted uses of Mendip chippings. This page will guide you to resources about design fundamentals, a trove of inspirational ideas, and instructions for DIY projects that utilise this versatile material.

Specifications

Size Range

10-40mm (0.4 – 1.6″)

20mm Mendip grey chippings, Mendip stone chipping 20mm

Fall Safety

Unsuitable

Price

Economical

Durability

High

Fish Friendly

Eco-Friendly

Yes

Degradability

Non-degradable

Alkaline

DIY-Friendly

Yes

Benefits

Mendip chippings are a hard-wearing decorative aggregate with a clean, contemporary look. Its dark grey hue and colour variations contrast well against any lighter landscaping elements and lush foliage. The superior compaction properties also make it ideal for high-traffic areas such as driveways and walkways. They provide a neutral backdrop that complements vibrant and subdued planting schemes. However, as an alkaline agent, they can harm plants that thrive in pH-neutral conditions and are unsuitable for acidic soil gardens and planted areas like beds or borders.

Mendip grey chippings are also very budget-friendly, meaning that you can upgrade your outdoor spaces with a visually striking, low-maintenance, and highly versatile feature without breaking the bank.

Inhibits weeds
Improves drainage
Hard-wearing
Eco-friendly, sustainable

Low-maintenance
Moisture retention
Versatile all-rounder
pH alkaline

Quick space transformation
Unsafe for aquatic life
Pipe beddings
Easy to lay

Applications

Mendip chippings are a versatile option for various applications. They can be used to create functional and appealing driveways, pathways, and patios. These chippings are also popularly used to provide contrast in rock gardens and as a base for water features because of their visually-pleasing texture and neutral color. However, it is important to note that they are not suitable for aquatic life. Mendip grey chippings are also commonly used as a construction aggregate for pipe bedding, surrounds, and ready-mix concrete.

The 40mm Mendip type 1 chippings are used for sub-base and concrete applications, as well as for budget, unsealed road surfaces and car parks.

In the following section, we list many of the common Mendip chippings uses, although it is not an exhaustive list. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article is available from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic.

Informational & Inspirational Articles

DIY-Friendly How-To Guides

Need to work out how many stone chippings your project needs? Try our free gravel calculator.

Other Applications

Some other excellent applications for Mendip chippings include:

Base for terrace, patios or outdoor seating areas
Sub base layers

Unsuitable For

The following list represents the kinds of applications that Mendip chippings are not suitable for:

1Aquascaping due to the alkaline effect on water pH posing harm to aquatic life.
2High moisture areas like pond linings due to alkaline nature.
3 As an alkaline agent, they are unsuitable for acidic soil gardens, and as a general rule, they are not suitable for use as a ground cover around plants and trees unless they are suited to alkaline soils.
4Some experts say that limestone chippings are unsuitable for french drains because they deteriorate and pack down like a sub base.
5 Play surfaces due to the unforgiving nature of the gravel in the event of a fall.

Maintenance

Mendip chippings are generally low maintenance, especially when a weed control fabric is installed underneath to suppress weeds, with most work limited to the occasional removal of debris. Occasional power washing is advisable to maintain the original colour and prevent build up. Natural quarry materials also may have dust, which should be hosed off with water at the time of installation.

For areas with heavy footfall, such as paths or footpaths, replenishment of chippings may be required over time to maintain depth and coverage. For more on how to clean limestone chippings, read our article: how to clean garden stones.

Purchasing Tips

Consider the size and quantity needed for your project when purchasing Mendip chippings. Where available, it is cost-effective to request a sample to assess the stone’s colour and quality against your design requirements. Also, consider the size you’ll need; for instance, 20mm Mendip grey chippings are typically used for driveways, while smaller 10mm grey gravel is better suited to footpaths, where available.

Using our gravel calculator to get an unbiased estimate of quantity, and an accurate price, for your project needs is one of the best and easiest ways to get the right amount – all you need is a few measurements of the space. Ordering a Mendip chippings bulk bag is often more cost-effective than smaller quantities. Also, always ensure you consider the delivery aspects, especially the vehicle access to the site.

FAQs

What is 10mm limestone used for?

10mm limestone gravel is typically suited for paths, decorative borders, and as a top layer for driveways due to its smaller size, which provides a more compact surface. It’s also used for sub base, lime soakaway and in concrete.

What are 20mm Mendip chippings used for?

20mm Mendip chippings are commonly used for driveways, landscaping borders, and patios due to their large size, which provides better drainage and a more stable surface.

How much does a bulk bag of limestone cover?

A bulk bag of limestone typically covers about 22 square metres (236 sq ft) at a depth of 30mm (1.2″).

What is 10mm limestone?

10mm grey limestone chippings are small-sized angular gravel used for various decorative and practical landscaping and garden design applications, such as pathways and driveways.

What colour are limestone chippings?

Limestone chippings are generally available in a range of greys, from light dove grey to darker shades, and sometimes in buff or cream hues.

There are many other varieties of stone chippings available for your project. Check out them out!