All of the best garden path ideas combine style and function, and whether you're looking to carve a route from one end of the garden to another or provide a walkway around a focal point, there are various ways to tick both boxes.
Garden paths can lend a hand to many of our favourite garden ideas, enabling access to centrepieces and zoning areas of outdoor space. Many landscaping ideas rely on beautiful paths to connect different areas of your garden.
'Garden paths are a key element of any outdoor space, providing a practical and aesthetic link between different areas of your garden,' says Georgina Read, director at Paving Superstore. 'In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in creating modern garden paths that are both functional and visually striking.'
From stepping stones to wood and gravel, we've compiled a list of standout garden path ideas with tips from the experts.
Garden path ideas
Garden paths aren't just functional – they can also provide long-term value. 'Well-designed paths can enhance the overall look of your garden, potentially increasing property value,' says Holly Jones, sales and marketing manager at Garden Street.
Whether it's a route to your front door, a walkway that meanders around your back garden, or a destination path that leads to a particular spot, our garden path ideas are here to help you enhance your outdoor space.
1. Add stepping stones
If lawn makes up a large area of your garden, consider laying stepping stones. Not only do they look stylish, but they'll also carve out a clear path and keep your grass from being trampled on.
When it comes to choosing which stepping stones will suit your garden, there are a couple of factors to consider. 'Opt for durable materials such as natural stone, slate, or concrete that can withstand the UK's varied weather conditions,' advises Holly from Garden Street. 'Choose stones that are large enough to comfortably step on, with a surface that isn’t too slippery when wet.
'Match the stones to your garden’s aesthetic – rustic stones for a cottage garden, and sleek pavers for a modern look.'
2. Go for gravel on a budget
Gravel is a more cost-effective option if you're looking for garden path ideas on a budget.
Available in a wide range of colours and materials, gravel will suit any outdoor space. Plus, it's an easy way to create paths that zone areas of the garden. 'The contrasts not only add visual interest but also create distinct areas for relaxation, dining and plantings,' says Murray Michel, gardening maintenance and decking expert at Clear Amber.
Plus, the sound it makes underfoot is rather satisfying, and also offers security, as you'll always hear approaching visitors.
3. Frame with ground cover plants
Ground cover plants make great natural garden edging ideas and can be used in tandem with your garden path ideas.
Not only is there a whole list of the best ground cover plants that prevent weeds to choose from, but there's also a wide variety of colours and textures to suit every space. You might opt for the vibrant foliage of heucheras for year-round interest, or go floral with lesser periwinkle and hardy geraniums.
Plus, choosing fragrant plants like creeping thyme from Amazon can transform your garden paths into a sensory area.
4. Line with planters
If you want to edge your garden path, consider using planters for added visual appeal.
'Place planters symmetrically along the path edges to create a balanced and formal look,' suggests Holly from Garden Street. 'Use a mix of heights, shapes, and colours in planters to add visual interest and depth to the path's edges. Change plants seasonally to keep the path vibrant and attractive year-round.'
Plus, if you're on a budget, there are a range of upcycled planter ideas to choose from.
5. Pave your path
In this multi-level plot, paving stabs are used to create both paths and wider seating areas for a modern, cohesive look. It's one of many patio ideas that works well with a garden path.
'Limestone or sandstone are stylish yet affordable path options for most gardens, and porcelain is available at very competitive prices,' says Georgina from Paving Superstore. 'If you have a little more wiggle room in your budget, why not opt for beautiful sawn sandstone or large format paving in porcelain to make your garden feel even more high-end.'
6. Interrupt your route with a water feature
Whether you have a small pond or a classic fountain, water feature ideas can add a touch of tranquillity to your space.
Here, a pretty brick path leads up to a charming water feature, which can be framed by larger stone slabs, before the path resumes again. This creates continuity while breaking up areas into smaller pockets of interest. It's especially effective in making a larger garden feel cosier and more magical.
7. Step up to slate
Slate is an effortlessly chic material choice for your garden path, and works just as well in urban, rural or coastal locations. Its silvery tones are modern yet rustic and look great with greenery and grey or blue paintwork.
See our garden fence ideas for more inspired pathway pairings.
8. Set slabs in gravel for an inexpensive, modern look
If you already have gravel paths but want to change up the look, consider adding paving slabs.
'Paving slabs are a great way to make your garden look more luxurious,' says Georgina from Paving Superstore. However, they can be expensive, which is why she has a neat trick for those on a budget. 'To save money on laying a slabbed path, use slabs intermittently with a complementary coloured pea gravel to fill the remaining areas.'
9. Mimic a river bed
Sloped gardens can present challenges where paths are concerned, particularly when it comes to creating a very natural-looking walkway. So, look to nature for a little help. In this garden, the owner has created the feel of a riverbed using rocks of of different sizes. Use large, flat slabs as safe steps on one side of your 'bank'.
10. Use reclaimed red brick
Reclaimed house bricks make a characterful garden path, and are good way to ensure your walkway coordinates with the exterior of your home. They are also a relatively affordable option, available second-hand at low prices. We've found them on eBay for 80p a brick, but you may be able to get them for less on sites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
11. Draw the eye with an arch
A winding path can make a small, one-level plot feel much more exciting. Use extra features, like this woven archway, to draw the eye up and onwards through the garden journey.
To make this feature even more beautiful, learn how to train wisteria along the arch, or try out other fast-growing climbing plants for speedy results.
12. Create a cottage garden feel with cobbles
A traditional, pale, cobble-stone effect pathway like this one looks charming in a country cottage-style garden. Tall, wild flowers overspilling onto the path will surround you with the scents and sounds of nature and give your garden an enchanting feel.
13. Go back to nature with wood
A wooden path is a subtle way of adding a rustic style to your garden. These stepping stones have been surrounded by wood chips to fill in the gaps and add to the organic feel.
14. Deck a route through
Another way to landscape your garden on a budget is to use a mix of decking boards and gravel or pebbles to form a wide path. This method is super versatile, and can cover a multitude of sins, from uneven terrain to an ugly concrete base.
15. Lay bricks that meander to your door
While it's not a yellow brick road that leads to the kingdom of Oz, this winding red brick path is just as charming. It adds a lovely whimsical feel to country front garden ideas. The subtle orange tones create a statement while blending in with the brickwork of the house.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to lay a garden path?
In terms of material, gravel is one of the cheapest ways to lay a garden path. 'Gravel paths are affordable and easy to install so make a great cost-effective option,' says Holly from Garden Street.
'Wood chips or bark are also inexpensive and environmentally friendly, great for informal garden paths and providing a natural look.'
'It's also possible to saving on garden landscaping costs and build a garden path for next to nothing if you are willing to a bit cheeky,' says Ideal Home Contributor Amy Cutmore. 'I managed to spend less than £10, yet now have a beautiful walkway in my front garden.'
'My first step was to pop a message on my local village Facebook group, asking if anyone had any old house bricks going spare. I was thrilled – and taken aback – by the positive response, and collected hundreds of free bricks from locals eager to ditch them.'
'Granted, lots of them were covered in dirt and paint, but after a good hose down with a pressure washer, they looked great – not perfect, but rustic, exactly the look we were going for. I then dug out a route for the path, laid some ground cover sheeting to stop any weeds from growing up (our only major outlay), and put the sharp sand on top.'
'Even the sand was donated by a local builder, who had it left over from a project. He was driving by, saw what we were doing and dropped it off on the spot!
'I arranged the bricks in a pattern, filling the gaps between with the old gravel that had previously covered the entire front garden. We now have a pretty lawn, and an even prettier path!'
How deep should a garden path be?
The correct depth of a garden path will depend on the material you're using. 'For gravel paths, a depth of 7.5-10cm is typically recommended,' says Holly from Garden Street. 'For paving stones, dig to a depth of around 15-20cm to accommodate the sub-base, sand and paving slabs.
'Concrete paths usually require a depth of 10-15cm for the concrete itself, plus a similar depth for the sub-base.
'If you're thinking about laying bark or wood chip paths, go for a depth of around 5-7.5cm for a comfortable walking surface.'
Which garden path ideas will you be using in your outdoor space?
