I am installing a back gate to my property and want to put in a small path (approx 30ft long) but not sure what design. I was thinking of pebbles or bark but it needs to last a long time and stand up to small children. I would prefer to get away from stepping stones or paving slabs. Inspiration is needed!

I'd steer clear of the bark option, you'll have to keep topping it up every so often. Your thoughts of pebbles might be a better option. Though you never said whether they would be loose (use small ones) or embedded pebbles (larger ones) in a bed of concrete. Hope this helps.

how about a block paving path which you could add different coloured bricks to form patterns

Bark chippings are a no-no. I tried this and the cats 'used' it. Slate chippings?

Block paviors look nice, but what about concrete with small gravel rollered in? I'm sure I saw this on Groundforce a couple of times and thought it looked good and practical, hardwearing and long lasting.

I agree with Terita slate chippings are great and come in so many different colours I have them up both sides of my path and between my paving slabs (plumb) also in the area were my dustbin is I did lay ground cover sheeting first and apart from the very occasional weed are almost maintenance free.

Don't use bark chippings they look ugly after awhile - I have them and the kids scuff them everywhere. Also they need topping up every year. If the path is going to be straight what about wood. Either decking blocks or wooden slabs - oh you said no stepping stones though - sorry.

What about - if you are good at DIY - concrete with cobbles stuck into it - looks quite effective when Alan and Tommy do it on Ground Force. Let us know what you decide. Tracey

I think a concrete path with items embedded in it is a good idea - you could go on the scrounge at your local salvage yard for items to embed into it... things like roofing tiles - cut into half and then laid finished edge up... slate, pebbles, shells, coloured marbles, the bottoms of wine bottles. If you are artistic - you could have lines interweaving all the way down - like DNA strands which will then leave areas to fill in.

Far better than a boring plain concrete path.

Hope this helps

Angela

P.S. Towards the end of the month I am going on a pebble mosaic course - and I have big plans for my front garden/yard as it is all laid to paving which I can beautify...