Can cement be laid over gravel?

Bello87

This might be a silly question, but can I put cement straight over gravel? 
Our garden was a mess when we moved in. We're doing everything we can to get it looking half decent. 
There's a section right outside our window that's gravelled. 
The gravel is about 6-8" deep at least all over and this goes right across the garden. 
On the section right below the window, could I just lay cement down or would that all need to be taken up as well? That gravel outside the window is about 6+" deep as well. 
We've filled half a tonne bag and it's not made a dent. Under the gravel is mud mixed with more gravel and massive rocks and trash. 
So far when digging, we've found random chunks of metal, a shoe, a bike wheel, car bits and various sized broken bricks and a cable at the far side that leads to a virgin box that isn't used and was buried and darenot attached to the house, but I don't dare remove that cable! 

I hate having gravel because the local kids keep grabbing hand fulls and  throwing it all over the street or at windows and I have to sweep it up off the street. 

twopenny

Is that the gravel in the picture? It looks more like peashingle.

If it's that deep I wouldn't have thought so. Cement to bind that depth of gravel which would give you an even bigger problem later on. Also until you know whats underneath you could be giving yourself other problems.

Could you lay pavers over it? you could rake it level, put a weed supressent membrane (cheap stuff/small rolls from hardware shop), a layer of sand and paving slabs or block pavers. That would be quicker soloution and possible to change it later.

But it does make me feel better about the stuff I'm digging out of my new place. 

Bello87

The size of the gravel is different. Most is around the size of peas, some is bigger. By the looks it's just a mixture. There's some slate stuff in there as well. 
Slabs would be the only other option I think. Hopefully they'll be easy to lay. I am not very DIY inclined! 

Alfrescodave

I think I would cover the shingle with a sand/cement mix (4:1) making sure that it mixed with the shingle to a depth of approx 25cm, then water it and allow to set. Similarly to filling between paving slabs.  Then lay membrane/paving slabs on top.