Cobblestone types we install
Granite setts
The most durable option. Charcoal grey, silver grey, or Chinese black. Cuts and splits naturally, ages to a weathered patina. £200–£280/m².
Sandstone setts
Warmer colouring — buff, honey, rust. Softer underfoot, more grip. Slightly less durable than granite but will still outlive anyone reading this. £180–£240/m².
Reclaimed cobbles
Pulled from demolished 19th-century streets. Already weathered, character-rich, zero two alike. £220–£300/m². Limited availability.
Porphyry setts
Italian quartz-rich stone. Deep reds, purples, charcoals. Premium option for statement homes. £260–£350/m².
Installation — this is a specialist job
- 200mm excavation to firm ground.
- 150mm MOT Type 1 sub-base, compacted.
- 100mm concrete slab — cobblestone needs rigid bedding.
- 50mm mortar bed — setts pressed in individually.
- Mortar pointing of every joint — no kiln-dried sand for cobblestone.
- Optional sealing — usually skipped for period properties to allow natural ageing.
Patterns
- Fan pattern — European cobbled-square classic. Complex to lay, stunning result.
- Running bond — simpler, traditional, most cost-effective.
- Herringbone — rare in cobblestone, striking where used.
- Random / crazy — medieval look, irregular setts.
Cobblestone is for:
Period properties · Conservation areas · Heritage-listed homes · Country houses · Any home where "looking new" is actually wrong
What cobblestone really costs over 50 years
Block paving at £100/m² lasts 25 years then needs refreshing (£40–£60/m² to lift, clean, rejoint). Over 50 years you're at £140–£160/m² total.
Cobblestone at £250/m² needs almost nothing over 50 years. £250/m² total. Per year, cobblestone is cheaper. It just requires a bigger cheque upfront.