Limestone paving - how does it wear?

[anewstartin2026]

Hello - I’m deciding on some paving for a small patio and I quite like the look of tumbled limestone but the landscaper says that in his experience, it doesn’t wear nicely and often ends up looking like concrete paving after a year or two. I’m after a traditional look - something like York stone but don’t have a York stone budget! So wondering if anyone has laid limestone and can let me know your experience.

Now also looking at Indian sandstone but not that keen on the very patchwork/multicolored effect it often seems to have. It’s quite often too yellow/too brown/too red as well. I just want a sort of light warm grey-ish sort of colour really. Obviously expecting a bit of natural variation but ideally not a strong patchwork effect!

Thanks for any thoughts.

Your gardener is right about limestone. It is porous, and subject to erosion quite quickly. Quarrying for limestone also has a negative environmental impact.

When MIL needed a new patio I drove her to a large builder's merchants and we had a look round there until we found something she liked within budget. Maybe try doing that? Also - take a bottle of water with you so you can check what the colour of the slabs look like when wet. I saw that tip on here once.

Next door have Indian limestone, it looks scruffy and no amount of pressure washing has improved it.

Don’t get Indian sandstone, whatever you do. It looks shit in no time and is impossible to clean thoroughly.