Valley Mill Gifts-Hand Made in Wales

Valley Mill have been manufacturing and supplying 100 per cent Welsh made products for well over a decade.

I’ve worked with them a few times over the years and their level of friendliness, efficiency and quality just keeps getting better.

It all started in 2007 with director and creator Kevin Thomas after purchasing a laser engraving machine and utilising two bedrooms at home as a workshop to handcraft Welsh slate products. After developing a range of beautiful home and giftware, Kevin started attending markets and shows on the weekend in Hay-on-Wye, Abergavenny and Monmouth, whilst still working as a full-time manufacturing engineer.
After committing to the business full time in 2009, the next step was to build two sheds in his garden to house the workshop. This gave Kevin the ability to keep up with the high demand for his products, begin posting products out all across the country, and invest in the machinery needed to handcraft Welsh slate house signs.

With the expansion of Kevin’s manufacturing facilities, he was finally able to take on his first employee and open his first full-time stall in Neath Market.

After outgrowing the garden workshop, Valley Mill moved into their first commercial premises enabling them to take on more employees and develop two brand new product ranges- 100% natural soap and handmade soy wax candles. They also opened their first high-street store in Neath and became stockists of other Welsh-made products, including Welsh woollen blankets, handmade ceramics and more.

This year, the Valley Mill workforce moved to larger premises in Llansamlet, Swansea with a retail store and a 900 square metre workshop for all their manufacturing operations.
The website is clear and simple, displaying their beautiful items for sale.

I was very lucky to receive a Welsh slate cheese board which I was so excited to use.

I think the black, shiny slate looks lovely with delicious cheeses and it is the perfect time of year to use one.*

Made from high quality 6mm thick rustic Welsh slate cheese board, hand cut into this unique natural product and deep engraved with the word ‘CAWS’ – which is Welsh for ‘Cheese’ or there is a Cheese option too if the Welsh language is not your thing.

The cheese board is fitted with protective pads on the underside which is great if you have a table which marks easily.

I was also sent a beautiful Holly Berry Tin Candle to create my own very festive atmosphere with the scent of Christmas tress and Holly- without the needles. The tin is really pretty and the smell is divine. It also has a 30 hour burn time.

I was sent these products for the purpose of this review but Valley Mill are such a lovely company to work with and I highly recommend them for gifts for any occasion.

They currently have 10 per cent off everything until December 19th. Just use the code DECEMBERGIFT10 at the checkout.

*I don’t ever need an excuse to either eat cheese or whip out a cheeseboard.