Close-up of a new tarmac driveway meeting its block paved edging

Tarmac Driveways & Surfacing in Godalming

  • 30+ YearsLaying drives & patios
  • £1 million InsuredPublic liability cover
  • 4.85/5 Rating150+ TrustATrader reviews
  • Free Site VisitWritten, no-obligation quote

Tarmac That Handles Hills, Bends & Long Approaches

With its hills, bends and long country approaches, the area around Godalming suits tarmac. It is laid as one continuous surface, follows the shape of the ground and gives a smooth, quiet drive that is quick to install.

A tarmac drive is only as good as what sits underneath it. We strip out the old surface, remove any soft spots, then build a compacted stone base before laying and rolling the tarmac hot. The finished surface is set to falls so rainwater runs to a lawn, border or drain instead of towards the house.

Most customers add a block paved border. It holds the edges, stops them crumbling over time and gives the drive a crisp, finished outline — red or grey edging against black tarmac is a classic combination.

Why homeowners choose tarmac

  • Good value over larger areas and long approaches
  • Follows curves and slopes smoothly
  • Quick to lay, so less disruption
  • Tidy, uniform look with a block border

Want a more decorative finish? Explore block paving in Godalming, or if your current tarmac is simply worn, see driveway resurfacing.

New tarmac driveway following the slope alongside a detached house with brick edging

What’s included

Tarmac Work We Carry Out

New tarmac drives

Full installations: excavation, a compacted stone base and hot-laid tarmac rolled to a firm finish.

Resurfacing

A fresh wearing course over a sound existing base to bring a tired drive back to life.

Block paved borders

Red, grey or charcoal block edging to frame the tarmac and hold the edges firm.

Sloping & curved drives

Levels and falls planned so water drains away from the house on hillier plots.

Private lanes & shared drives

Longer access roads and drives shared between neighbouring homes.

Aprons & crossovers

Neat tarmac aprons where the drive meets the road, with any dropped kerb approved separately.

Local projects

Photos from jobs completed by our own team.

Our process

From First Call to Finished Drive

Five clear stages, so you always know what’s happening next and when.

  1. Talk it through

    Ring us or request a callback. We’ll ask a few questions about the space and what you have in mind.

  2. Measure & quote

    A free visit to measure up, check levels and access, and show you material options, then a written quote.

  3. Dig out & base

    The old surface comes up, spoil is taken away, and a compacted sub-base is built to suit the ground.

  4. Lay & edge

    Blocks, slabs or tarmac go down with edging, drainage and any borders or features you’ve chosen.

  5. Tidy & handover

    Joints finished, the site cleared and swept, and a walk-round with you before we leave.

Good to know

Tarmac Driveways Questions

Is tarmac a good choice for a sloping driveway?

Often, yes. Tarmac forms one continuous surface, which suits long or curving approaches up a hill, and it can be laid to shape around bends and changes in level. The key is a well-compacted base and a plan for surface water, so it runs into a drain rather than down the drive towards the house or garage.

Does a tarmac drive have to be black?

Black is standard for tarmac. The simplest way to add colour and definition is a contrasting block paved border — red or grey edging is a popular choice around Godalming and frames the tarmac neatly.

What is the difference between tarmac and asphalt?

In the UK the two words are used almost interchangeably. Modern driveway “tarmac” is asphalt: stone aggregate bound with bitumen, laid hot and rolled. The name comes from the older tar-bound tarmacadam it replaced.

Why does new tarmac scuff or mark?

Freshly laid tarmac is slightly soft and takes a while to fully harden, particularly in warm weather. For the first few weeks, avoid turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary and keep sharp loads such as jacks, bike stands or skips off it.

Where we work

Local to Godalming & the Waverley Villages

Working from Milford, we lay and repair driveways, patios and paths in Godalming, Farncombe and the villages all around them.

  • Farncombe
  • Busbridge
  • Charterhouse
  • Milford
  • Witley
  • Elstead
  • Hambledon
  • Chiddingfold
  • Shackleford
  • Bramley
  • Hascombe
  • Haslemere
View every area we cover

Ready to Start Your Driveway?

Call the team in Milford or request a callback and we’ll arrange a free visit to your property.