Planning a new patio in Harrogate: what you need to know

A new patio is one of the best ways to get more out of your garden, but a good one is mostly about what you can't see: the digging, the levels and the base underneath. Here's what to think about when planning a patio in Harrogate, Ripon and the surrounding villages, with photos from one of our recent jobs.

The finished patio: two levels, stone steps up to the house and sleeper-edged beds.

1. Choose the right stone

Indian sandstone is the most popular choice for patios around here. It's hard-wearing, comes in warm buff, grey and multi-coloured blends, and its riven (textured) surface gives good grip in wet weather. Porcelain is another option if you want a cleaner, more modern look and very low maintenance. If your house is built from local stone, a sandstone that picks up the same colours usually looks best.

2. Get the levels and drainage right

A patio should never be completely flat. It needs a gentle fall away from the house so rainwater runs off rather than pooling or soaking towards your walls, and the finished surface should sit below the damp-proof course of the house. Many Harrogate gardens are on heavy clay, so drainage is something we plan for on every job.

3. The base is what makes it last

The ground is dug out, then a layer of crushed stone sub-base is laid and compacted with a plate compactor. The slabs then go down on a full mortar bed, not just a few dabs, so they don't rock, crack or sink later. Skipping this stage is the main reason cheap patios fail within a few years.

Building the stone retaining wall and steps on a compacted sub-base.

4. Sloping garden? Use levels

If your garden slopes, a retaining wall and a couple of steps can turn awkward ground into two usable areas, like the upper and lower patio on this job. Timber sleepers are a neat, affordable way to edge raised beds alongside the paving.

5. Do you need planning permission?

Most back-garden patios at ground level don't need planning permission in England. It can be different if you're raising the patio well above ground level, if your home is listed or in a conservation area, or if you're paving over a front garden (larger areas need to be permeable or drain onto a lawn or border). If in doubt, check with Harrogate's planning team before work starts.

6. Best time of year

Patios can be laid most of the year, but we avoid laying mortar in frost. Spring and autumn are popular, so it's worth booking early if you want it finished for summer.

Before and after

Before: the old paving and walling lifted, ready to start.

After: the finished two-level patio.

Thinking about a new patio? GardenCare lays patios, steps, retaining walls and fencing across Harrogate, Ripon and the surrounding villages. Call 07555 289859 for a free, no-obligation quote.