Two Stories of How We Have Helped Customers

Whatever your landscaping or garden design aspirations, budget and practical needs, you’ll find everything you could need and wish for at Rivar Sand and Gravel’s premises in Tadley, Hare Hatch, Newbury and Windlesham.

Think of us as a one stop shop for your commercial or domestic project; from turf and topsoil to sand and gravel and an array of paving slabs opportunities, our friendly team will help you fall back in love with your exterior space.

Two customers who have let their imaginations run free and achieved exceptional landscaping results are Richard and Claire.

Richard’s Story:

Richard had bought a new build property for himself, his wife and two small children. Despite the attention to detail at the front of his property which provided a stylish gravel driveway, the blank canvas of a garden that he found on arrival, just a patch of grass and a path, fell short of his visions. He decided to create a personalised space suitable for entertaining the adults and to keep the little ones amused on long summer days. The modest budget had to work hard for him.

The entertaining space was monochrome, sleek and had the “wow factor.” The furniture chosen was minimalistic; the dining table seated six people. Beneath this, he opted for Mustang black slip, stain, frost, watermark and fade resistant porcelain paving slabs of 600mm X 600mm. The path was re-laid using the same material.

Four sleepers were positioned at the corners of the dining space from which a canopy hung.A few feet away from the dining space was an informal cushioned seating area with a fire pit at the centre with a 10mm White Dolomite gravel surround. The planting was architectural and of a muted palate, a weathered statue stood majestically against the wall adding to the overall sophistication of the “grown-up” area.

For the children, Richard knew that grass must feature but he found the quality of the existing turf poor so came to Rivar Sand and Gravel to resolve this too; topsoil and turf were installed with ease and with the knowledge that the topsoil would encourage a healthy lawn.

He also created a fairy-tale forest area with a treehouse which the children quickly claimed as their second home. With fairy door panels in the tree trunk, a forest floor of the highest quality landscaping bark and twinkling lights by the toadstool seats, the effect was enchanting. A covered sandpit with child-safe non-toxic play sand completed their space. Bikes and other outdoor toys were concealed behind an attractive fence panel.

Claire’s story:

Recently, it became a high priority for Claire to install a discreet concrete ramp so that her parents, who were becoming less able to handle the steps to her front door, could have easy access when they visited.

This done, she decided to tackle the rest of the exterior and make it less demanding on her time. For added grip underfoot she laid the slightly angular buff-yellow 20-5mm South Cerney Gravel which is both attractive and durable. The gravel covered the pathway beside the house which led to the garden and flowed along the winding garden paths.

Claire loved to read and sip a cool drink under the sun, not to weed, rake and top up gravel so she installed Core Path and Core Drive which we strongly recommend; these products hold gravel in robust and almost invisible pods on paths and driveways, at a wonderfully affordable price.

As an empty-nester Claire did not need to factor in children’s sports and activities so she chose to replace what had been the kid’s den with Indian Sandstone paving slabs in warming Modak Rose; a 2.8 metre diameter sandstone circle feature was laid to capture the eye.

She added two long raised beds, using hardwood sleepers, alpines and shrubs. More of the South Cerney Gravel was used as mulch over the soil in these and over her existing flowerbeds. Less weeding required. Perfect.

Her small square pond was given a fresh look with a clean and the installation of timber effect paving slabs in equally subtle and welcoming shades.

Across her existing lawn, to which she used new topsoil and turf patches in damaged spots, she added Modak paving slab stepping stones in irregular shapes.

The new look exterior was sublime, accessible and low maintenance.

Rivar Sand and Gravel want you to make your landscaping visions a reality, so why not call in and have a chat with us today. Let the magic happen!