To create a real sense of destination, the approach to a house-however long is absolutely critical, especially when the time comes to sell. As a result, the choice of surface for your driveway requires thought and, under certain circumstances, some not inconsiderable investment. ‘Getting the details right here gives potential buyers confidence that what they’re about to see is well managed,’ believes Philip Eddell of Savills’ country-house consultancy. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer: an appropriate surface for a drive in a London suburb will differ greatly from one that works for a country house. The developers of Updown Court, a 24-bedroom mansion in Surrey that languished on the market for years with a £70 million price tag, are thought to have spent several million pounds on a heated marble driveway.
Gravel For uncomplicated country-house drives, most agree that gravel makes the right impression. Although it can be tiresome, and messy, and requires replenishing every few years, it’s ‘infinitely preferable to jet-black Tarmac, which can be inappropriately municipal,’ observed architect Ptolemy Dean (Country Life, April 26, 2006). The key is to use a good sub-base and choose the right kind of gravel. ‘It’s no good intro-ducing the sort of riverbed pea shingle suitable for driveways in the Thames Valley into the Cotswolds, where crushed limestone was traditionally used, or in Scotland, where crushed granite chippings are the norm,’ advises Mr Dean. ‘As ever, the key is to look carefully at local traditions and to respond accordingly.’ In areas where weather conditions are more extreme, it might be wise to create drainage ditches on the side of your gravel driveway. Read more at http://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/country-houses-for-sale-and-property-news/best-surfaces-for-driveways-11951#O3dx6ioxi3k8sT22.99
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