Soil Types & Ground Conditions in Godalming

Main Soil Profiles Around Godalming

While every garden is unique, we commonly encounter the following broad types:

1. Heavy Clay Soils

Found frequently in:

• Witley
• Milford
• Hambledon fringes
• Parts of Farncombe and lower-lying plots

Characteristics:

• Holds water for long periods.
• Becomes sticky and plastic when wet.
• Cracks when dry.
• Prone to shrink–swell movement.

Implications for landscaping:

• Sub-bases must be deeper and properly compacted.
• Drainage is critical to avoid standing water.
• Retaining walls need good drainage behind them.
• Tree roots interacting with clay can cause heave or settlement.

2. Sandy & Free-Draining Soils

More common towards:

• Charterhouse
• Hurtmore
• Certain slopes around Busbridge and the Surrey Hills edge

Characteristics:

• Drains quickly.
• Can feel dry and loose.
• Lower risk of waterlogging.

Implications for landscaping:

• Sub-bases still need proper compaction but are less prone to heave.
• Soakaways usually perform better here than in heavy clay.
• Lawn and planting areas may need additional organic matter to hold moisture.

3. Mixed or Made Ground

Found behind older houses, extended plots or where gardens have been reworked repeatedly — especially in central Godalming, Farncombe and Busbridge.

Characteristics:

• Combination of clay, brick, rubble, old sub-bases and imported soil.
• Inconsistent bearing strength.
• Unpredictable drainage performance.

Implications:

• Often requires deeper excavation to reach stable strata.
• Localised soft spots may need extra consolidation or replacement.
• We rarely rely on made ground for supporting walls or patios.

4. Topsoil & Garden Loam

The upper layer of most gardens, often improved over time by planting and gardening.

Important points:

• Topsoil is not suitable as a base for patios or driveways.
• It compresses and moves too much under load.
• Should usually be removed beneath hard landscaping areas.

How Soil Type Affects Patios & Driveways

Before laying any patio or driveway, we assess the ground conditions because:

• Clay requires deeper, stronger sub-base and better drainage.
• Sand requires proper compaction and edge restraint to avoid spreading.
• Mixed ground often requires localised excavation and replacement.

You can read more on construction standards in our guides:
Patio Installation in Godalming and Driveway Construction Standards in Godalming.

Soil & Drainage Interaction

Soil and drainage are inseparable. For example:

• Clay + no drainage = persistent boggy areas, patio movement and saturated sub-bases.
• Sand + poor detailing = rapid runoff and erosion around steps and paths.
• Made ground + inadequate compaction = long-term settlement and dips.

That’s why we often pair new hard landscaping with tailored drainage solutions, as outlined in our Garden Drainage & Groundworks in Godalming guide.

How We Assess Ground Conditions on Site

During a site visit, we will usually:

• Excavate a test area to inspect subsoil.
• Check how quickly water infiltrates a small test hole.
• Look for signs of past movement, such as cracked paving or leaning walls.
• Note nearby large trees and their root zones.
• Consider topography — where water naturally wants to flow.

Trees, Roots & Clay Movement

Godalming and its villages are rich with mature oaks, beeches, conifers and ornamental trees.

On clay soils, trees can:

• Extract moisture, causing shrinkage and settlement.
• Lift certain sections where roots push upwards.
• Influence how water flows through the garden.

For structural or long-term issues, we may recommend independent arboricultural or structural advice, especially where house foundations or high retaining walls are involved. Our page on tree roots, clay movement & landscaping in Godalming goes into this in more detail.

Designing with Soil in Mind

Once we understand your soil type, we can make better design decisions, such as:

• Choosing appropriate sub-base thicknesses.
• Selecting a suitable drainage strategy.
• Positioning patios and seating areas on the most stable parts of the garden.
• Using raised beds or terracing to manage problem zones.
• Improving planting soil where lawns struggle due to waterlogging or drought.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can clay soil support a porcelain patio?

Yes, provided the sub-base, falls and drainage are designed correctly. Many of our best-performing patios in Godalming sit on clay — they just need the right build-up.

Do you always remove all the existing soil?

No. We remove topsoil and any unstable or unsuitable material beneath hard landscaping. Where the subsoil is firm and appropriate, we build directly onto it with the correct sub-base.

Can you improve my soil for planting?

Yes, through the addition of organic matter, soil conditioners and graded topsoil, particularly in heavy clay or very sandy gardens.

Which areas do you cover?

Godalming, Milford, Farncombe, Witley, Busbridge, Charterhouse, Hurtmore, Hambledon, Chiddingfold and the surrounding Surrey Hills villages.

Planning a Project on Challenging Ground?

If your garden in Godalming or the surrounding area suffers from poor drainage, movement or awkward soil conditions, we can help design a solution that works with your ground, not against it.

Book a Ground Assessment

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