A Yorkie Flint Stone in Your Garden
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Calcareous Flint
Other Name(s):
Yorkshire Cream, Yorkshire flint, Yorkshire stones, Yorkshire aggregates, cream garden stones, york cream gravel, Cotters gold gravel, beige gravel
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Yorkshire cream gravel, also referred to as Cotters gold gravel, are cream decorative stones recognised as an economical and hard-wearing decorative aggregate. Yorkshire gold gravel is renowned for the unique colour variations and pale hues that help make it a popular choice for outdoor landscaping project designs.
This comprehensive encyclopaedia listing about Yorkshire cream gravel, a hardscaping and construction aggregate. It details the product's specifications, accompanied by photographs, and outlines its benefits, applications, and incompatibilities as a landscaping material. Additionally, this entry serves as a gateway to a wealth of DIY resources, with a list of comparable alternatives, articles offering design inspiration and fundamental principles, and a collection of straightforward, step-by-step instructions for constructing your own hardscaping features.
Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flint | 10-20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Neutral |
Material
Flint gravel
Colour
Pale cream with light brown hues
Shape
Rounded to angular
Size Range
10-20mm pink granite (approx 0.08 to 0.79")
20mm Yorkshire cream gravel, Yorkshire Cream Gravel 20mm
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play surfaces
Price
Mid
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
Yes
Eco-friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Neutral
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates like Yorkshire cream gravel are excellent for decorative purposes, creating eye-catching contrasts and textures for gardens and landscapes. They offer practical benefits like moisture retention, weed suppression, and improved drainage. Their diverse colours and textures add a natural, elegant touch to any space.
Yorkshire cream gravel creates a great, contemporary, and bright look with a light mixture of pale cream, golden browns, light grey, and a hint of yellow, bringing a soft, natural look to gardens and paths. Its angular shape provides excellent drainage and stays in place, making it ideal for driveways and pathways. Its neutral colour palette complements a wide range of design styles, from rustic to contemporary.
Applications
Yorkshire cream gravel is versatile, suitable for pathways, driveways, garden borders, and as a top dressing for planters. Its light colour brightens shaded areas and contrasts beautifully with dark or green foliage. It is suitable for aquatic life, making it useful in aquascaping, aquariums and water features with fish, such as ponds.
In the following section, we list many common Yorkshire cream gravel uses, although it is not exhaustive. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Inspiration and Informational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for Yorkshire cream gravel include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that Yorkshire cream gravel are not suitable for:
- 1Areas with fine plantings: If you have creepers or low-growing plants in your garden gravel can make it harder for these plants to thrive, as it may interfere with their root systems as they try to grow.
- 2Play surfaces
- 3Erosion control: On steep slopes or areas with significant inclines, the loose nature of the gravel can make it prone to movement which can be problematic on slopes.
Similar Alternatives to Yorkshire Cream Gravel
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to Yorkshire cream gravel. They may offer you a more suitable variation on the primary colour, a more economical option, or a close substitute for cases where the base material may be unsuitable for the project you are creating, e.g. limestone is not fish-friendly, where slate is.
Name | Colours | Material | Size | Shape | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
buff, cream | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | |||
pink, blue, grey | Blend | 6-20mm (0.4-2") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
pale yellow | 5-20mm (0.2-0.8") | angular | UK, USA | |||
buff | Limestone | 20mm (0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
golden, brown | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | rounded | UK, USA | |||
white | Marble | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU |
Under £80
£80-£120
£120-£150
£150-£200
£200-£300
£300+
Maintenance
Yorkshire cream gravel are generally low maintenance, especially when a heavy duty membrane is installed underneath to suppress weeds, with most work limited to raking and the occasional removal of debris. Occasional power washing is advisable to maintain the original colour and prevent algae or moss buildup. 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 gravel may be required over time to maintain depth and coverage. For more on how to clean gravel, read our article: how to clean garden stones.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing Yorkshire cream gravel, consider the size and quantity necessary for your project. 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, Yorkshire cream gravel 20mm is typically used for driveways, while smaller 10mm Yorkshire cream gravel is better suited to footpaths.
Using our gravel calculator to get an unbiased estimate for your project needs is one of the best and easiest ways to get the right amount without the risk of shortfalls or over-spending - all you need is a few measurements of the space. Ordering in bulk bag or loose load form is often more cost-effective than smaller quantities. Also, always ensure you consider the delivery aspects, especially the vehicle access to the site.
FAQs
Can you use Cotswold stone on driveways?
With its angular shape and durability, Cotswold stone is suitable for driveways.
What size are Cotswold chippings?
Cotswold chippings typically range from 10-20mm (0.4-0.8 inches).
What stone is Cotswold buff?
Cotswold Buff is a type of limestone with a warm, buff-yellow hue.
