About the Project

This block paving driveway project in Farnham involved replacing an old tarmac drive and side path with a more attractive, practical and long-lasting finish.

MNB Designs had previously worked on the rear garden at the same property, so this project was also a welcome return for a repeat client. The existing driveway was beginning to look tired, with faded tarmac, old oil marks and edges that were starting to fail.

The brief was to improve the front of the property with new block paving, a limestone path, better drainage and fresh planting to replace an overgrown conifer hedge.

What We Did

MNB Designs removed the old tarmac driveway and replaced it with tumbled block paving in three sizes. This created a more natural laying pattern and a softer finish that suited the character of the property better than the previous tarmac surface.

The driveway was also widened at the front to make the space more practical. As part of this, the small front wall was rebuilt, replacing a tired boundary detail with something more fitting for the upgraded driveway.

A limestone path was added to improve the side access, with a sentimental old drain lid carefully saved, cut back in and worked into the new path. This was a small detail, but an important one for the client.

A driveway drain was installed next to the house because the fall of the drive directed water back towards the property. This helped protect the house and ensured the new driveway was not only better looking, but properly considered from a drainage point of view.

What We Did

The project also included changes to the planting around the driveway.

A large, dark Leylandii hedge was removed and replaced with Griselinia hedging, giving the front garden a fresher evergreen boundary without the heavy feel of the old conifers.

The planting choices were made with the wider conditions in mind, including known honey fungus in the area. MNB Designs did not find signs of honey fungus on this property during the works, but the replacement planting was still considered carefully.

The old lawned area was also refreshed with new border planting, including Euonymus ‘Blade Runner’, adding colour, texture and structure to the front garden.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenges

The front drive needed a better finish, improved drainage and softer planting while respecting existing client details.

Old tarmac was faded, stained and failing at the edges

Driveway fall directed water back towards the house

Existing Leylandii hedge felt dark and overgrown

Front boundary wall needed rebuilding

Sentimental drain lid needed saving and reusing

Solutions

We replaced the tired driveway with block paving, added drainage and refreshed the front garden with new planting.

Installed three-size tumbled block paving

Added a driveway drain beside the house

Rebuilt the small front boundary wall

Cut the original drain lid back into the limestone path

Replaced Leylandii with Griselinia hedging

The Results

The finished driveway gives the front of the Farnham property a cleaner, smarter and more practical entrance.

The tumbled block paving feels more in keeping with the building, while the limestone path, rebuilt wall and new planting help soften the overall look. Improved drainage also means the project was not just cosmetic, but properly planned around the needs of the property.

For MNB Designs, this was also a strong example of repeat client trust. After previously completing work in the rear garden, the team returned to improve the front of the home with the same attention to detail.