Rubber Grass Mats UK | Complete Buying Guide 2025

If you're looking for rubber grass mats UK — whether for a horse gateway, garden path, event parking area, or caravan pitch — this guide covers everything you need to make the right choice. We'll walk you through types, thicknesses, uses, costs, installation, and the key differences between rubber and plastic alternatives. Rubberco supplies heavy-duty rubber grass mats with free UK delivery.

What Are Rubber Grass Mats?

Rubber grass mats are solid, load-bearing mats manufactured from recycled rubber — typically sourced from end-of-life vehicle tyres. They are placed on top of grass or soil to create a stable, non-slip surface that protects the ground beneath from damage caused by vehicles, horses, foot traffic, and heavy equipment.

They come in two main material forms:

• Recycled rubber mats: Made from 100% crumb rubber compacted and bonded under heat and pressure. Eco-friendly, UV-stable, and extremely durable. The most common type used in the UK for equestrian and outdoor applications.
• Virgin rubber mats: Made from new (unrecycled) rubber compound. Higher manufacturing cost but consistent composition — sometimes used in specialist applications where material purity matters.

How Rubber Grass Mats Differ from Plastic Ground Reinforcement Grids

This is one of the most common questions we receive. Plastic ground reinforcement grids (made from HDPE or polypropylene) are open grids designed to be buried in soil and have grass grow through them — creating a permanent grass-reinforcement system. They are not designed to be removed.

Rubber grass mats, by contrast, are solid surface mats that sit on top of the ground. They are designed for temporary, semi-permanent, or seasonal use — and can be lifted and relocated at any time. Their primary advantage over plastic grids is anti-slip performance, superior load ratings, and suitability for horse and livestock access.

The 6 Best Uses for Rubber Grass Mats in the UK

1. Horse Gateways and Paddock Entrances (Most Popular Use)

Horse gateways are notoriously difficult to manage in the UK's wet climate. The combination of hoof pressure, horse box tyres, and persistent rainfall turns even well-drained gateways into quagmires by November. Rubber grass mats provide an immediate, tool-free solution — laid directly over the muddy ground to create a solid, non-slip surface that horses can cross safely year-round.

For horse gateways, we recommend a minimum of 20mm thickness, and 23mm+ for heavy horses, Warmbloods, or routes with regular horse box traffic. See our stable mats range for additional equestrian ground protection options.

2. Garden Pathways and Stepping Stones

Rubber grass mats create attractive, functional garden paths without any digging or groundwork. Simply lay 500mm × 500mm mats on your lawn to create a pathway to the shed, summerhouse, or greenhouse. The mats can be lifted at the end of the season — or repositioned as your garden changes — and the grass will recover fully within a few weeks.

3. Temporary Event Parking on Grass

Outdoor weddings, music festivals, agricultural shows, charity events, and corporate away-days all need temporary access routes and parking areas on grass. Rubber grass mats deploy quickly, handle cars, vans, and light vehicles, and lift cleanly afterwards — leaving the venue's grass intact rather than rutted and destroyed. A key advantage over HDPE plastic grids for events is that rubber mats don't shift or separate under vehicle loads.

4. Caravan and Motorhome Pitches

A rubber grass mat laid under caravan wheels and levelling supports prevents pitch damage, stops the vehicle sinking into soft ground, and provides a stable, level base. Many caravan and motorhome owners keep a set of 910mm × 910mm mats specifically for soft pitch use.

5. Playground Access and Safety Paths

Schools, nurseries, and public parks use rubber grass mats to create safe, all-weather pathways around outdoor play areas. Rubber's natural shock-absorbing properties reduce trip and fall risks, and the non-slip surface performs equally well in wet and icy conditions. Rubber is also compliant with safety surfacing standards for children's outdoor areas.

6. Garden Shed and Summerhouse Bases

Rubber grass mats make an excellent temporary base for garden structures. Lay a grid of interlocking mats as a moisture-resistant, level base for a shed, summerhouse, or greenhouse. The permeability of the rubber allows drainage, preventing standing water and rot — while the solid surface provides a stable foundation.

Rubber Grass Mat Thickness Guide

Rule of thumb: If you're unsure, go one thickness up from what you think you need. A heavier mat performs better in muddy conditions, distributes load more effectively, and has a longer working life under repeated vehicle loads.

Rubber vs Plastic Grass Protection — Which is Better?

The right answer depends on your specific use case. Here's a full comparison:

Choose rubber when: You need anti-slip performance, horse/livestock access, seasonal or temporary use, or repeated relocation. Choose plastic when: You want a permanent in-ground grass reinforcement system and cost is the primary driver.

How Much Do Rubber Grass Mats Cost?

Rubber grass mat prices in the UK typically range from £12–£35 per m² depending on thickness, mat size, and supplier. Key factors affecting price:

• Thickness: 10mm mats cost less per m² than 20mm+ mats due to material weight.
• Mat size: Larger format mats (910mm × 910mm) are often better value per m² than smaller mats.
• Quantity: Pallet quantities usually attract lower per-unit pricing.
• Quality: Price reflects rubber density, bonding quality, and load certification. Cheap mats may delaminate or flex excessively under vehicle loads.

At Rubberco, we include free UK delivery on all orders, which is significant for heavy rubber products where freight cost can otherwise add considerably to the total.

How to Install Rubber Grass Mats

1. Ground preparation: For temporary use on good ground, no preparation is needed. For muddy gateways or heavily rutted areas, fill the worst depressions with aggregate, crushed stone, or sharp sand to create a roughly level base. This prevents the mats from bridging deep ruts and flexing excessively.
2. Level the surface: Use the back of a rake or a screed board to roughly level the prepared area. Perfect levelness is not required — rubber mats have some flex that accommodates minor undulations.
3. Lay the first mat: Start at the entry point (the busiest end of the area). Place the first mat and check it sits flat. Adjust the ground underneath if a corner is lifting.
4. Interlock subsequent mats: Push each new mat's interlocking edges into the previous mat firmly. Work row by row, staggering the joints like brickwork for maximum stability. No tools or fixings required.
5. Edge and trim: At perimeter edges or around obstacles, mark and cut mats with a sharp utility knife (for lighter mats) or a jigsaw/angle grinder (for heavier 20mm+ mats). Trim pieces interlock with full mats — no waste.

Horse Gateway Rubber Mats — Special Considerations

Horse gateway mud is a specific and serious problem in the UK equestrian world. The British Horse Society (BHS) and welfare organisations consistently highlight gateway management as a critical factor in horse health — wet, muddy gateways cause mud fever, leg infections, and injuries from slipping.

Key considerations for equestrian use:

• Minimum 20mm thickness: For any gateway used by horses or horse vehicles, 20mm is the minimum recommended thickness. 23mm is preferred for regular horse box traffic or heavy horses (500kg+).
• Solid surface — no open grid: Unlike HDPE plastic grids, rubber grass mats have no openings that could catch a hoof. This is a critical safety advantage in equestrian settings.
• Anti-slip in all conditions: Rubber remains grippy in frost, rain, and mud. Horses are confident crossing rubber mat surfaces where they would be hesitant on wet concrete or plastic.
• Drainage underneath: Lay mats on a well-drained base where possible. If the gateway has a drainage problem, address this first (install a French drain or aggregate base) before laying mats — mats on a waterlogged base will sink into the mud over time.
• Coverage area: A standard 3m gateway needs approximately 3m wide × 4–5m deep coverage to protect the full standing and turning area. That's 12–15m² — roughly 16–20 × 910mm mats.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Rubber grass mats are low maintenance by nature, but a few simple practices will maximise their lifespan:

• Cleaning: Spray with a pressure washer or garden hose to remove mud and debris. Rubber does not harbour bacteria or mould in the way some materials do, but regular cleaning keeps the surface grippy and the drainage holes clear.
• Winter care: No special winter care is required. Rubber stays flexible in temperatures well below freezing. Ice on the surface can be removed with a stiff broom — avoid metal scrapers which can damage the rubber surface.
• Lifting and moving: Individual mats can be lifted by hand (15mm 910×910mm mats weigh approximately 8.5kg). Disconnect the interlocking edges by pulling adjacent mats apart — no tools needed. For large areas, a pallet truck makes moving stacked mats easy.
• Storage: Stack flat and keep out of direct sunlight for extended periods if possible. Recycled rubber is UV-stable but prolonged direct exposure will cause some surface fade over years.
• Lifespan: With normal use, expect 10–15 years from quality rubber grass mats. Signs of end-of-life include surface delamination, crumbling edges, or loss of flexibility. Most users replace individual damaged mats rather than entire installations.

Frequently Asked Questions