UK’s top 5 block paving designs revealed: find the perfect style for your home & boost property value

The strongest, most reliable driveway paving pattern is herringbone using 50 mm concrete blocks, but the best block paving designs depend on your home’s style: Brindle Herringbone suits red-brick suburbs, Charcoal ‘Tegula’ works for modern barns, Sandstone setts elevate Bath stone homes, Clay brick herringbone respects period terraces, and Light Grey porcelain delivers a minimalist look. Expect better kerb appeal and, in many cases, a measurable uplift in value.

Why block paving is still the UK’s favourite driveway design

Block paving gives you something most surfaces can’t: structural interlock for vehicles, a vast range of colours and textures, and easy, localised repairs if a block gets damaged. Choose the right paving pattern and block thickness, and you’ll enjoy a driveway that looks smart, lasts decades, and is simple to maintain. Done properly, a new driveway can add meaningful value to a home.

“We find homeowners are often surprised how much the right paving pattern changes the whole look of a property,” says Ben Sperring, Surfacing and Civils Manager at Driveways Plus. “A well-laid block driveway isn’t just about durability—it’s the first impression people get when they pull up to your home.”

How to choose the right block paving pattern, colour, and block type

Use this quick framework to match your driveway design to your property and lifestyle.

• Pattern for strength: For driveways, pick herringbone at 90° or 45° for superior interlock under braking and turning. It is the industry standard for vehicle areas.
  
• Block thickness: Domestic driveways should use 50 mm blocks as a minimum; consider 60 mm if you run an SUV, van, or caravan.
  
• Format & size: The 200 × 100 × 50 mm rectangle is the UK’s workhorse paver because its 2:1 ratio suits herringbone interlock.
  
• Material choice: Concrete is the versatile, value-led standard; clay brings timeless colour; natural stone setts add prestige; porcelain delivers ultra-low maintenance and a contemporary look.
  
• Colour strategy: Greys feel modern and hide marks; multi-tone Brindle blends complement red brick and mask day‑to‑day dirt. Frame with a charcoal edge for a crisp, “finished” look.
  

Pro tip: Pattern first, colour second. Get the structure right, then fine‑tune the aesthetics.

The UK’s top 5 block paving combinations (with local fit for Bristol, Bath, and the Cotswolds)

Each option includes the best use cases, regional fit, and what to pair it with for maximum impact.

1) Brindle herringbone with a charcoal border (concrete blocks)

• Why it works: The 90° herringbone pattern provides maximum interlock, resisting the twisting forces from wheels. The Brindle mix of red and charcoal hides tyre marks and everyday dirt. A charcoal edge frames the paved area and boosts kerb appeal.
  
• Best for: 1970s–2000s red‑brick semis and detached homes across Bristol and South Wales. It ties the driveway to the brickwork for a harmonised look.
  
• Spec to use: 200 × 100 × 50 mm concrete blocks, 90° herringbone, double-row charcoal border.
  
• Good to know: Consider a permeable version if you want a SuDS‑friendly build.

Design note: Add a simple garden path in the same Brindle block laid in stretcher bond to contrast the driveway’s zigzag pattern and add visual interest.

2) Charcoal ‘Tegula’ (tumbled) in a mixed-size random pattern

• Why it works: Tumbled “aged” blocks give instant character without feeling faux; Charcoal keeps it sharp and modern while hiding stains. Mixed sizes create an easy, random pattern that suits curves.
  
• Best for: Modern barn conversions and rural properties in the Cotswolds and Thames Valley; also upgrades period homes in Bristol and Bath without clashing.
  
• Spec to use: Trio packs in three sizes, lay as random course, 50–60 mm thickness depending on vehicle loads.
  
• Good to know: Ask about permeable ‘Hydropave’ Tegula if drainage is a concern.

Design note: Use a lighter silver haze border or a natural stone kerb to soften transitions to planting.

3) Natural sandstone setts (buff or ‘Raj Green’) in random courses

• Why it works: Natural stone setts deliver premium texture and colour variation that ages beautifully, perfect for Bath stone properties and Cotswold cottages. The random layout avoids long joint lines and feels authentic.
  
• Best for: Heritage homes and statement frontages where you want that “bespoke, crafted” look.
  
• Spec to use: Hand-cut or calibrated setts; 100–200 mm formats; pair with sawn stone or granite edges for definition.
  
• Good to know: Natural stone tends to be heavier on budget; a tumbled concrete sett can deliver a similar look for less.

Design note: Consider a paving circle or fan feature near the driveway entrance for a formal touch.

4) Clay brick pavers in a 45° herringbone

• Why it works: Clay’s colour runs all the way through the paver, so it stays rich for decades. 45° herringbone adds movement and looks superb on Victorian terraces in Bristol.
  
• Best for: Period properties where authenticity matters and you want that crisp, traditional brick aesthetic.
  
• Spec to use: 200 × 100 × 50–60 mm clay pavers; 45° herringbone with a soldier-course border to lock edges.
  
• Good to know: Clay is typically pricier than concrete, but the colour fastness is unrivalled.

Design note: Echo your garden paving with the same clay in basketweave on a patio to create continuity between drive and outdoor space.

5) Light grey porcelain in stretcher bond (large format)

• Why it works: Porcelain is ultra‑dense and virtually non‑porous, so it shrugs off stains and frost. Large format, light grey slabs deliver that minimalist, modern driveway vibe for new builds.
  
• Best for: Contemporary homes with white or grey render and aluminium windows in Bristol’s suburbs and the Thames Valley.
  
• Spec to use: 900 × 600 mm driveway‑rated porcelain on a suitable build-up; stretcher bond with tight joints; verify slip resistance and loading class.
  
• Good to know: Keep lines straight and geometry clean; this style rewards precision.

Design note: Pair with a charcoal edge for definition and to protect slab edges where vehicles turn.

Explore block paving driveways »

Case study: Clifton family home transformation

A homeowner in Clifton, Bristol, recently replaced their tired concrete driveway with a Brindle herringbone design bordered in charcoal. The property, a 1980s red-brick detached. immediately felt refreshed, and the uniform pattern tied seamlessly into the existing architecture. The project was completed within five days, including full sub-base reconstruction and permeable drainage. “The difference was night and day,” says the homeowner. “It feels like a new house from the kerb.”

Quick comparison table: materials, costs, and maintenance

Indicative supply-and-install ranges for typical domestic projects; site conditions vary.

Source synthesis from our research and manufacturer data.

Engineering that protects your investment

• Sub‑base: For most domestic drives, allow 150 mm compacted Type 1. Increase on weaker ground.
  
• Laying pattern: Herringbone is the default for driveways because it maximises interlock under vehicle loads.
  
• Block thickness: Use 50 mm minimum; upgrade to 60 mm for heavier vehicles or frequent deliveries.
  
• Edges: Strong, well‑haunched edge restraints stop lateral spread, especially if you choose stretcher bond for patios or paths.
  
• Drainage: Choose a compliant solution: permeable block paving or channels to a soakaway within your boundary.
  
• Sealants: Sealing helps lock in jointing sand, repel oil stains, and curb weed growth. Re‑apply every two to five years.

See our new driveway process »

Local design guidance for Bristol, Bath, and the Cotswolds

• Bristol: Red‑brick terraces and 20th‑century semis love Brindle herringbone or clay at 45°. For new‑builds, consider grey block paving or porcelain with a charcoal edge.
  
• Bath: For Bath stone frontages, play up the natural warmth with buff sandstone setts or tumbled Charcoal ‘Tegula’ with a natural stone kerb.
  
• Cotswolds: Rustic properties suit random patterns in tumbled blocks or natural stone; modern barns pop with Charcoal ‘Tegula’ and clean landscaping lines.

Browse our local projects »

FAQs: block paving designs and driveway ideas

External resources

Planning Portal — Planning Permission for Front Garden Paving
Official government resource explaining when planning permission is required for driveways. Essential authority on the 5m² threshold and permeable material exemptions

British Standards Institution (BSI) — BS 7533-101 Design Standard
Guidance on the current British Standard BS 7533-101 (updated August 2021), which is essential for all modular paving designs in the UK.

British Geological Survey (BGS) — Sustainable Drainage Systems
Academic and government-backed resource explaining SuDS philosophy and effectiveness.

Key takeaways

• Pick herringbone and 50–60 mm blocks for any driveway that sees real vehicle use.
  
• Match colour to your architecture: Brindle for red‑brick, greys for modern builds, stone for heritage.
  
• Use strong edge restraints and the right sub‑base to avoid movement.
  
• Consider permeable options for SuDS compliance and cleaner detailing.
  
• Add a charcoal border to make any design feel sharp and intentional.
  

Ready to transform your driveway?

A short, friendly chat with a specialist is the quickest way to narrow choices and design something that fits your home perfectly.

Book your free bespoke design consultation with Driveways Plus. We’ll map options to your budget, create a clear specification, and show you how the right block paving pattern can lift your home’s kerb appeal.

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