Soil Types in Haslemere & How They Affect Construction

Why Soil Type Matters

Soil affects almost every aspect of garden construction, including:

• Foundation depths and sub-base design for patios and driveways
• Drainage performance and suitability for soakaways
• Likelihood of movement, settlement or heave
• Longevity of paving, paths, walls and garden structures

Ignoring soil conditions is one of the most common causes of failing landscaping work, especially when combined with poor drainage or under-sized retaining structures.

Common Soil Types Found in Haslemere

1. Greensand & Sandy Soils

Much of Haslemere, Shottermill and parts of Hindhead are underlain by greensand and sandy subsoils.

• Free-draining and relatively stable when compacted correctly
• Excellent for soakaways and sub-surface drainage systems
• Can dry out quickly in summer and lose bearing if over-excavated

While sandy soils drain well, they still require proper compaction and a well-designed sub-base for patios and driveways to prevent settlement.

2. Loam & Garden Topsoil

Many established gardens in Grayswood, Marley and Kingsley Green sit on loam-rich soils above deeper subsoils.

• Good balance between drainage and moisture retention
• Ideal for planting, lawns and borders
• Often overlies weaker or more variable subsoil beneath

Topsoil is never suitable as a foundation and must always be stripped off before construction begins — especially under patios, driveways and full garden redesigns.

3. Clay Pockets

Clay soils appear intermittently across the area, particularly in low-lying ground or back-filled plots.

• Expands when wet and contracts when dry (shrink–swell behaviour)
• Prone to movement, cracking and differential settlement
• Requires enhanced drainage and thicker, more robust sub-bases

Patios, driveways or walls built over clay without addressing its behaviour are far more likely to move over time and feature in our paving subsidence and longevity case studies.

4. Made Ground & Fill

Older properties and sites with historic landscaping or extensions often sit on “made-up” ground.

• Unpredictable loading capacity and variable compaction
• May include rubble, roots, buried turf or very soft material
• Needs careful excavation, testing and replacement with engineered fill

Where significant made ground is discovered, we may adjust designs, increase sub-base depths or recommend alternative construction methods.

Impact on Common Garden Projects

Patios & Paving

• Sandy and greensand soils still need a properly compacted MOT Type 1 or similar sub-base
• Clay and made ground often require thicker bases and well-controlled drainage
• Incorrect preparation leads to rocking slabs, ponding and premature movement

Our detailed patio installation guide explains how soil type influences dig depths, sub-base design and joint performance.

Driveways

• Vehicle loading makes soil assessment critical for long-term performance
• Clay or fill ground may need reinforcement layers, deeper bases or cellular systems
• Permeable driveway systems can work extremely well on free-draining greensand soils

Retaining Walls

• Soil pressure increases dramatically when saturated, especially in clay
• Free-draining backfill and engineered drainage are essential behind walls
• Wall design must reflect soil weight, slope angle and groundwater behaviour

For more detail on safe design, see retaining wall rules & safety in Haslemere.

Drainage Systems

• Sandy soils suit soakaways and French drains, when sized correctly
• Clay may require piped drainage to suitable outfalls or storage crates
• Mixed conditions often need hybrid solutions designed on a plot-by-plot basis

Our garden drainage & groundworks guide shows how soil assessments feed into practical solutions on real projects.

How We Assess Soil on Site

Before any construction work in Haslemere, we typically assess:

• Soil type at excavation depth (not just surface topsoil)
• Presence of water, perched tables or soft layers
• Evidence of previous movement, cracking or historic subsidence
• Load requirements for patios, driveways, walls and garden buildings

On more complex schemes — particularly steep plots or full garden rebuilds — we may recommend additional investigations before finalising levels and structures.

Areas We Cover

Haslemere · Shottermill · Hindhead · Grayswood · Camelsdale · Hammer · Marley · Fernhurst · Linchmere · Kingsley Green · Surrey/Sussex borders

Concerned About Ground Conditions?

If you are planning a new patio, driveway, retaining wall or full garden rebuild, understanding the soil upfront can prevent costly problems later and extend the life of the finished work.

Request a Site Assessment

Soil Types in Haslemere – Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need to remove topsoil before laying a patio or driveway?

Yes. Topsoil is designed for plants, not for carrying structural loads. Leaving it in place under patios, driveways or retaining walls is one of the quickest ways to end up with movement, settlement and cracking.

Are greensand and sandy soils always good for construction?

They are usually more forgiving than clay, but they still need correct excavation depths, compaction and drainage detailing. Over-excavation or poor compaction in sand can cause just as many issues as building on clay.

Can you build reliable retaining walls on clay in Haslemere?

Yes, but wall design, drainage and backfill need more care. On clay, we pay particular attention to water pressure, wall height and the way terraces link into overall garden level changes so that everything works as a single, stable system.

How do I know if my garden has “made ground” or fill?

Telltale signs include sudden changes in soil type with depth, rubble or brick fragments, buried turf layers, or areas that feel spongy underfoot. During excavation we’ll always flag any made ground we find and adjust the design or specification where necessary.

Haslemere Landscaping Knowledge Hub

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