14 Mar

How to build steps with sleepers

Sleeper paths are great for all weathers, natural and look great in any garden. Our experts explain how to build steps from sleepers.

If your garden is on multiple levels, steps are the best way to bridge the terrain. If you’re looking to create a path with some steps, sleepers can be a great material to use: read on to find out how.

Step 1. Mark the sit and plan

Start by using a builder’s line and pegs, fixing a parallel rectangle of where you’d like to build the steps from. Work out how many treads and risers you need; you’ll need to measure vertical and horizontal heights and distances of your flight of steps, so mark the back of the tread and hold one end of a long spirit level to the top of the peg.

You will need to divide the vertical height by your riser height and use the tread-riser combinations chart to find the tread length you need.

Step 2. Strip turf, mark treads and dig

Use a spade to strip away the turf from your marked-out area. Use lines to mark out the back of the treads, setting back extra space so you have enough room to work. Shape out the steps with a spade.

Dig a trench for the first sleeper. Drive in pegs levelled with a spirit level to mark the surface of your footing.

Step 3. Concrete the footing and build steps

The footing of your steps doesn’t have to be made of concrete but adding concrete to this part will mean that you have increased strength and density. Concrete the footing and add the sleepers up the path; you can add gravel to the steps if you’d like too if you have longer steps and gaps between each one.

To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!

More general

25 Oct
How to build the perfect gravel garden
A gravel garden is an excellent low maintenance option that is relatively easy to prepare and design. Follow these guiding steps and you’ll have the perfect gravel garden in no time! How to prepare the ground for a gravel garden Before you think about laying any gravel, you’re going to need to prepare the ground correctly: Remove all plants, including weeds, from the area that your gravel garden will take up. If you want to keep any of the plants you remove, make sure that you don’t sever their roots and place them in planting pots for temporary storage whilst you finish your gravel garden.   Add manure or compost in order to improve the fertility of the soil. Dig around 10cm deep using a rake or till in order to mix the compost and soil together. If you encounter any large stones, set them aside – you might want to incorporate them as a decorative stones in your gravel garden!   Dig and install a border to separate your gravel garden from the rest of your lawn. You should look to dig around 10-15cm deep and install your edging so that it’s level with or just above the ground - this will help with drainage. Please note that this step is only necessary for dense soil types, such as clay.   Install a weed membrane. Simply measure the area required and cut the weed membrane to size, leaving around 7.5cm overlap on each edge of your gravel garden. You should then weigh the edges of the membrane down using rocks or landscaping staples. How to create your gravel garden Choose the garden gravel you want to use. Check out your local gravel suppliers to select the type of gravel you want to use for your gravel garden. Please note that around 40kg of 20mm gravel will cover one square metre at 2 inches deep. If your gravel garden is unevenly shaped, then measure a square around it and save leftover gravel for filling in any holes that appear later in the year.   Place your plants in the desired positions. Once you’ve grouped your plants into the desired locations on your gravel garden, cut individual squares into the membrane large enough for each plants' roots once the flaps are folded back. Then, place the plants into their allotted section and fold the flaps back over the top of the soil before watering generously.   Lay the gravel. Before you begin spreading your gravel, make sure that you place your focal points first, such as any large rocks or pots, wherever you want them. After these have been placed, you can commence spreading the garden gravel evenly over the membrane using a rake. Follow these steps and you'll be left with the perfect gravel garden to show off to your friends and family. We are your leading local gravel suppliers in Dorset. Browse our range of products online, available for delivery and collection, or contact our team today with any enquiries on 01258 857465.
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30 Nov
Why you should consider driveway gravel
Your driveway is the first thing that a guest will encounter when approaching your home, which is why you want it to look good. Installing driveway gravel is a great cost-effective way to leave an impression and has a host of other benefits too. Attractive Driveway gravel looks more natural compared to alternatives such as tarmac and brick, which can run the risk of looking industrial. Driveway gravel holds a rural charm which can add a lot of character to both countryside and city homes. The addition of driveway gravel seems to compliment nature rather than suffocate it. We supply a broad range of driveway gravel in a range of colours and sizes, which means that chances are you’ll find the right gravel to compliment your home exterior in our store.   Cost-effective Driveway gravel is the most pocket-friendly option for filling driveways around. Not only is the installation of driveway gravel quick and cheap, it will also save you money in the long run, as maintenance costs are incredibly low. Unlike tarmac or brick, driveway gravel will not crack, and outside of rarely filling in holes with more low-cost gravel, it will last forever. Weather Resistant Other driveway options, like concrete and tarmac, react negatively to dramatic changes in temperature like frost, heavy rain and intense sunlight. Severe weather will often cause them to crack, especially when they cover a large surface area and they will end up fading in colour over time. This is why driveway gravel is a fantastic option, as it is pretty much impervious to the weather and requires no extra drainage assistance. All in all, driveway gravel is a fantastic option when it comes to laying your driveway that should not be overlooked. To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!
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12 Jun
How to create a low-maintenance garden
Are you getting tired of moving the lawn and weeding? Are you looking for a more low-maintenance garden this summer? There are many of us who love to idle away the hours tending to our gardens, but there are also many of us who dread the onset of summer, as our gardens require a lot of maintenance. Typically, the most dreaded garden tasks tend to be mowing the lawn and weeding, which needs to be done on a weekly basis over the summer. If you are looking to curtail your time in the garden, why not consider creating a low-maintenance gravel garden? If the thought of weeding fills you with dread, then why not consider replacing your earth borders with gravel for an attractive but easy maintenance garden. To create a gravel garden, you need to: Clear the designated area Remove the existing planting from your borders or from the designated area. If you want to keep some or all the plants, then place them to one side. The Edge You will be looking to place your gravel where the lawn borders meet your current planting space. Here, you will need to add an edge, such as an monoblock mowing strip. This will provide you with a nice rounded curve which will compliment your gravel layout. Preparing your borders Once your edging has been done, you can then prepare your borders. Start by digging over the borders to introduce air into the soil which will make it easier to work with. Take this as an opportunity to improve the health of your soil. If your soil is looking quite heavy, then you can look to add some peat free compost which will help break it up a bit. You might want to add a granular fertiliser too at this stage. Don’t forget to rake through the soil so that it is spread evenly to avoid any bumps in the gravel. Laying membrane Further to preparing your borders, you can now start to lay out your membrane, in most instances, you can utilise weed membrane which is a fabric woven matting which essentially blocks out light to weeds and will keep the soil separated from the gravel. The membrane also allows water to pass through the woven material and into the soil. Border planting You can now take the plants that you wish to include in your new gravel garden and place them in your position of choice. You will find that it is best to plant in pockets of gravel where you can create small islands of plants surrounded by gravel. Here, you can also plant through the membrane, simply cut a cross in the membrane which is large enough to accommodate the plant and place the plant in the soil. Once the plant is immersed in the membrane, fold back the edges of the membrane so that it seals around the plant. Lay down the gravel Now you can start dressing the membrane with gravel, you can opt for either small piece of gravel or larger pieces of gravel. At MB Wilkes, we have a wide range of gravel and shingle that are suitable for gardens, walkways and driveways. You may want to consider 2-6mm shingle gravel which is a light golden flint shingle gravel or go a little larger with 10mm ravel which is approved by the National Trust. MB Wilkes provides gravel and shingle up to 40mm. Get decorative Once your gravel is in place, you can look to accessorise your new gravel layout with garden ornaments. You can also look to add texture by incorporating different textures and colours to add interest. Whether you go for an all-over gravel garden, or you just incorporate some gravel to parts of your garden, this will certainly reduce the maintenance of your garden, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the summer!   To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle & gravel and driveway materials, contact our team today on 01258 857465 or take a look at our special offers!
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Most Recent Stories

18 Aug
5 Types of Aggregate and Their Uses
Aggregate is one of those materials most people have used without thinking too hard about what it actually is. Whether it's gravel on a driveway, sand in a concrete mix, or chippings around a planted border, it's the backbone of more projects than most people realise. The problem is that aggregate covers a lot of ground, and picking the wrong type can mean poor drainage, a mix that doesn't set, or a finish that looks wrong. At MB Wilkes, we've been supplying aggregates from our Dorset quarry for over 60 years. In this blog, we showcase five of the most used types, so you can decide which one is right for your project. And you can explore many more options on our website. Five Aggregates Worth Knowing About Each of the aggregates below has its own set of properties and best-fit applications, so here's a practical breakdown to help you choose the right material for your project. Slate Slate is one of the most versatile aggregates we stock, equally at home as a decorative mulch around planted borders and as a practical drainage material. Its angular shape allows water to pass through freely, which makes it a sensible choice anywhere you need both good drainage and a clean, attractive finish. We supply slate in three colours and two sizes, so there's a combination to suit most projects: Black Slate 20mm and 40mm Blue Slate 20mm and 40mm Plum Slate 40mm Sand Technically classified as a fine aggregate, sand behaves differently to coarser materials but is no less essential to a well-executed project. It is commonly used as a bedding material for paving and block paving, as well as in concrete mixes and render. Sharp sand and building sand serve different purposes, so the right type will depend on your application. If you're not sure which grade suits your project, our team can point you in the right direction. Limestone Limestone is a versatile aggregate used in a variety of construction and landscaping applications. It is commonly used as a sub-base material for driveways and pathways, as well as in drainage projects. Its durability and availability in different grades make it a practical choice for both residential and commercial projects. Granite Chippings Granite chippings are one of the toughest aggregates available, making them a strong choice for driveways and areas that take regular heavy traffic. The material compacts well and holds its shape under load, which means it tends to stay put rather than migrating to the edges over time. Granite also comes in a variety of shades, from grey to pink, so the practical benefits don't have to come at the expense of appearance. All In Ballast All In Ballast is a mixed aggregate containing a blend of sand and gravel in varying particle sizes. It is most commonly used in concrete mixes, where the combination of fine and coarse material helps produce a strong, workable mix. It also works well as a general fill and is a cost-effective option for groundwork and construction projects where a precise, single-grade aggregate isn't required. Why Choose MB Wilkes for Your Aggregates? We've been supplying sand, gravel and aggregates from our quarry in Dorset for over 60 years. That means the materials we sell are ones we know inside out, not products we've simply added to a catalogue. As a family-run business, we take our reputation seriously, and that shows in the quality of what we supply and the service that comes with it. We offer competitive prices, supply to trade and domestic customers across Poole, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset area, and we're happy to talk through your project before you order. Get in Touch To find out more about the range of products we offer, from building materials and decorative stones to shingle and gravel and driveway materials, get in touch with our team today on 01258 857465 or fill our online contact form. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/blog/article/5-types-of-aggregate-and-its-uses#/" }, "headline": "5 Types of Aggregate and Their Uses", "description": "Aggregate is one of those materials most people have used without thinking too hard about what it actually is. Whether it's gravel on a driveway, sand in a concrete mix, or chippings around a planted border, it's the backbone of more projects than most people realise.", "image": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/files/thumbs/5b2b193b-fff0-4566-a2b4-c289b138dc2c_w650_h400.jpg?1787069702", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "MB Wilkes", "url": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "" } }, "datePublished": "2026-08-18", "dateModified": "2026-08-18" }
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4 Jun
MB Wilkes sponsor local Lytchett Matravers Summer Festival
Lytchett Matravers Summer Festival is an annual event that aims to bring the local community together around fun, food and music. It is held on the Recreation Ground at the centre of Lytchett Matravers on Saturday 20th June from 2pm – 10pm For MB Wilkes, sponsoring the festival is a great way to give something back to the community and enjoying a fun day out. What’s on at the Festival Line-Up: 2.00pm - 2.30pm– Host's Welcome Performance 2:30pm – 2.45pm Aqualights Pom & Twirl 2:45pm – 3.00pm – Host Interval Performance 3.00pm – 4.00pm – Children’s Entertainment with Amy 4.00pm – 5.30pm – Lytchett’s Got Talent 5:30pm – 6.00pm – Performance from new talent - Maddi Hardwick 6.00pm – Raffle 6:15pm – 7:45pm – Danny T Acoustic 8.00pm – 10.00pm – Skamagedon Dance Band The festival has always been a great community day. Entry is free and you can take a look at the event page for more information or Facebook page about what to expect on the day! Bring your family, bring your friends, and don’t miss it — it’s set to be a summer highlight for the whole community! MB Wilkes – Local, Family-Run Business At MB Wilkes, we love being a part of the local community, and as a family-run quarry we're always looking for ways to get involved in events across Dorset. Our business centres around supplying aggregates and building materials throughout the county, supplying gravel, sand, stones and topsoil across different industries. To hire our services, or find out more about what we do, give us a call on 01258 857465 or send us a message via our contact form. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/blog/article/mb-wilkes-sponsor-local-lytchett-matravers-festival#/" }, "headline": "MB Wilkes sponsor local Lytchett Matravers Summer Festival", "description": "Lytchett Matravers Summer Festival is an annual event that aims to bring the local community together around fun, food and music.", "image": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/files/thumbs/8c3f7bac-d3de-4eb1-bb7e-ee70c08d918f_w650_h400.png?1780561139", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "MB Wilkes", "url": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/#/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "" } }, "datePublished": "2025-06-17", "dateModified": "2026-06-04" }
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29 May
MB Wilkes sponsors this year's Corfe Mullen Carnival
We're proud to announce that once again, MB Wilkes are sponsors of the main arena at this year's Corfe Mullen Carnival! Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, for a day of fun and thrills at Corfe Mullen Carnival! First held in 1967, the Corfe Mullen Carnival is an excitement-packed day out with something for all the family to enjoy. We’re proud to announce that MB Wilkes are the Main Arena sponsors at this year's event! Mark your calendars for Saturday June 13th 2025, as the carnival extravaganza takes centre stage in Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground. The festivities kick off with a lively street procession from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Once you arrive at the event grounds, prepare to be captivated by an array of stands, competitions, and live performances starting at 1 pm. You especially won't want to miss the spectacular dog show. But there's more to the Corfe Mullen Carnival than just a day of fun. This year proceeds are helping local beneficiaries, the 2nd Corfe Mullen Scout Group and Corfe Mullen United Juniors Football Club. We hope everyone has an amazing time at the Carnival this year. Looking forward to seeing you all there! { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/blog/article/mb-wilkes-sponsors-this-year-s-corfe-mullen-carnival#/" }, "headline": "MB Wilkes sponsors this year's Corfe Mullen Carnival", "description": "We’re proud to announce that once again, MB Wilkes are sponsors of the main arena at this year's Corfe Mullen Carnival!", "image": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/files/thumbs/bce62730-8514-48fe-b461-16c07409b573_w650_h400.jpg?1747138647", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "MB Wilkes", "url": "https://www.mbwilkes.com/#/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "" } }, "datePublished": "2025-05-13", "dateModified": "2026-05-29" }
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Family-Owned BusinessFamily-run business supplying quality aggregates for over 60 years.
Family-Owned Business
Family-run business supplying quality aggregates for over 60 years.
Trusted Team of Experts Our expert team of trusted experts is ready to help with all your needs.
Trusted Team of Experts
Our expert team of trusted experts is ready to help with all your needs.
Fully Equipped Fleet We provide fast local delivery with tipper trucks and grab lorries.
Fully Equipped Fleet
We provide fast local delivery with tipper trucks and grab lorries.
Superb Range of Aggregates Small load aggregate collections available directly from our quarry.
Superb Range of Aggregates
Small load aggregate collections available directly from our quarry.

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