Request a Callback

    How to Use Natural Stone in your Garden Design

    When it comes to garden transformations, selecting the right materials for a natural stone garden design can elevate your outdoor space. Whether you’re designing an inviting terrace, a rustic pathway, or an eye-catching water feature, natural stone provides unmatched beauty, durability and versatility. In this guide, we’ll explore various creative ways to incorporate natural stone into your landscaping project and how Holley Hextall can help bring your design ideas to life.

    Why Natural Stone is the Perfect Choice for Your Garden

    Natural stone is not only durable but also incredibly versatile, making it a preferred choice for homeowners and designers looking to enhance their outdoor space. It blends seamlessly with any style of garden. Whether you’re aiming for a modern minimalist look or a traditional English garden. By incorporating natural stone into your landscape, you’re making an investment in both beauty and functionality. Let’s dive into some of the most creative ways to use natural stone to transform your garden.


    Creative Features Using Natural Stone in Gardens

    Natural stone is more than just a building material; it’s a design tool that can transform your garden into a visually stunning and functional outdoor space. For instance, here are some inspired ways to incorporate natural stone into your garden landscaping:

    Create a Focal Point with Feature Stone Walls

    Feature walls made from bespoke Yorkstone can transform any garden into a sophisticated, well-organised space. Use stone walls to create retaining structures, raised flower beds, or terraced garden levels. This not only enhances the structure of your landscape but also provides a stunning, textured contrast to your greenery. The soft tones of Yorkstone ensure your garden exudes charm and elegance.

    natural stone garden design
    natural stone garden design

    Decorative Garden Borders

    Outline your flower beds or pathways with tumbled setts like Yorkstone Tudor Tumbled Setts, which are ideal for defining garden spaces while adding a rustic, traditional aesthetic. These stones naturally weather over time, ensuring your borders grow more beautiful with age.

    natural stone garden design

    Designing Stunning Natural Stone Pathways

    A natural stone pathway is more than just a functional element – it’s an opportunity to create a seamless journey through your outdoor space. By using stones like Yorkstone or Clara Sandstone, you can craft a pathway that blends into the natural environment, guiding you and your guests through the most beautiful parts of your garden.

    Building Functional Yet Elegant Garden Walkways

    Yorkstone flagstones and tumbled setts are perfect for garden walkways that need to be both stable and visually appealing. These stones are incredibly durable and weather-resistant, ensuring that your garden pathway remains beautiful and functional for years to come. Their subtle hues and textures can complement the greenery around them, creating a harmonious outdoor experience.

    Clara sandstone paving in garden pathway

    Seamlessly Integrate Natural Stone into Your Garden Design

    When designing your garden pathways, it’s essential to select stones that echo the local geology and blend naturally with the environment. At Holley Hextall, we recommend neutral stones like Clara Sandstone or Yorkstone to ensure your walkways are visually appealing and long-lasting. By incorporating natural stone, you create a timeless connection between the built and natural environments.


    Elegant Paving with Natural Stone for Terraces

    A natural stone terrace is the epitome of outdoor luxury. Not only does it provide a sophisticated, long-lasting surface for entertaining, but it also enhances the overall aesthetics of your garden. Clara Sandstone and Sawn Yorkstone Paving are both durable and elegant, making them ideal for creating a terrace that will stand the test of time.

    Clara sandstone paving in garden terrace
    Yorkstone flagstones in garden terrace

    Laying Patterns for Your Stone Terrace

    Different laying patterns can dramatically change the look and feel of your stone terrace. Consider creative patterns such as herringbone, basketweave, or a more random layout using tumbled setts. These patterns allow you to personalise your outdoor space, ensuring your terrace matches your unique style while maintaining functionality.

    Clara setts driveway

    Stone Water Features for a Luxurious Outdoor Space

    Few things are as captivating as the sound and sight of water paired with natural stone in your garden design. Whether you’re creating a serene fountain or a rustic pond, natural stone adds texture and depth to your landscaping. Stones like Yorkstone and Clara Sandstone lend themselves beautifully to water features, blending durability with organic charm.

    Garden Fountains with Bespoke Natural Stone

    Fountains made from hand-carved bespoke Yorkstone can serve as striking focal points in your garden. The natural texture and colour variations of Yorkstone enhance the flow and sparkle of water, creating a visually stunning feature that stands out in any garden.

    Line Your Garden Ponds with Natural Stone

    For a more rugged, organic look, consider lining your garden pond with natural stone. Yorkstone or Clara Sandstone creates a natural edge that mimics the look of a pond formed in nature, making your water feature blend seamlessly into its surroundings.


    Using Natural Stone in Outdoor Kitchens

    outdoor kitchen

    Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular in luxury garden design and natural stone is the perfect material for this outdoor space. The durability and natural beauty of stone countertops, benches, and tables make them a great choice for creating a functional and stylish entertaining area. Stones like Yorkstone and Clara Sandstone are weather-resistant, ensuring your outdoor kitchen stays beautiful year-round.


    Holley Hextall’s Bespoke Natural Stone Services

    At Holley Hextall, we pride ourselves on offering bespoke natural stone services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Whether you’re looking for bespoke stone steps, garden benches, or wall copings, our team is here to bring your vision to life with expert craftsmanship and premium materials. Let us help you create an outdoor space that’s both functional and breathtaking.

    Holley Hextall bespoke stone services

    Ready to Transform Your Garden with Natural Stone?

    Whether you’re building pathways, stone feature walls, or decorative features like water features, stone can enhance both the aesthetic and functionality of your space. For design inspiration, explore expert resources like Gardeners’ World for tips on garden design or Houzz’s garden section to discover a variety of ideas. You can also visit The RHS for guidance on plant and stone combinations or Better Homes & Gardens for creative landscape designs and stone feature ideas. From beautiful stone patios to modern relaxing gardens, natural stone offers endless possibilities, making it a versatile and lasting choice for any garden style.

    Whether you’re looking for inspiration or ready to begin your garden transformation, Holley Hextall is here to help. Explore our range of natural stone products and get in touch with our team to start planning your next project today!

    Stay Connected

    Follow us on social media and visit the website for the latest updates, offers and news. 

    Holley Hextall Natural Stone Suppliers

    50 Years of Quality, Craftsmanship, and Trust

    Read more..

    Maintaining natural stone

    Natural Stone Maintenance: What Are the Best Practices?

    Natural stone is the foundation of many landscape projects. Whether it’s a pathway, wall, or paving, natural stone forms the structure, guides the eyes, and makes a lasting statement. Considering its importance, understanding natural stone care and natural stone maintenance is crucial. There’s a common misconception that natural stone is difficult to maintain. And actually, … Read more
    Read More Natural Stone Maintenance: What Are the Best Practices?

    50 Years: The MD’s Perspective on our journey

    From our humble beginnings in Wiltshire, starting as Holley Hextall & Associates, we’ve grown and thrived in the natural stone industry. Over the past five decades, we’ve proudly supplied private customers, landscapers, garden designers, country house architects, and commercial projects with the finest natural stone, earning accolades and building lasting relationships. A heartfelt thank you … Read more
    Read More 50 Years: The MD’s Perspective on our journey