Mother Distracted
A Family Lifestyle Blog In Wales

Review: Beautiful Welsh Slate Clocks From Valley Mill

PR Sample

We have discovered that we don’t have enough clocks.  This is largely because getting the kids out of the door in the morning is a challenge of herculean proportions.  Frankly, my nerves are frazzled and the kids need reminding at least once every ten minutes that playing with the cat or watching Captain Underpants does not count as ‘getting ready’. No, more visual reminders are what they need!

So it is entirely appropriate that our newest clock is a beautiful Welsh slate clock from Valley Mill.  Valley Mill uses only slate quarried from Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales.  (If you’re up that way, incidentally, a visit to a slate mine is well worth the trip).

The slate is sent to Valley Mill’s workshop in Crynant where it is hand cut, engraved, oiled and then fashioned into a wide range of lovely homeware items and gifts. They also offer handcrafted Welsh slate house signs, trophies, memorials and wedding signage.

They also make a lovely range of Valley Mill soaps, candles and wax melts I’m particularly fond of.

Welsh Slate Clocks

Mine is the deep engraved Welsh Slate Clock made from high-quality 6mm thick Welsh slate with deep engraved numbers.

The Welsh slate is hand-cut to give a rustic chipped edge and a unique finish – no two clocks will be exactly the same.

It comes complete with Quartz clock workings and packaged in a gift box.

The clock is of 300mm diameter and needs just one AA battery (not supplied).

Being made from slate, it is a heavy piece so bear in mind that you will have to use a strong nail to secure it.  But I love the weathered feel and the touch of Welshness that it adds – very appropriate since we are a three quarters Welsh household.  I’m English but having lived here since 1969 I think I might be an honorary Welsh woman now.

Mine is one of a range of Valley Mill Welsh slate clocks featuring Welsh dragons, the lyrics of Calon Lan and even one with the numbers in Welsh words to help little ones (and bigger ones) improve their Welsh.

What I particularly love is that you can discover who made your clock.  This one was designed by Kevin Thomas who has been designing his range of handmade products for over 10 years. His products include Welsh slate and Welsh Oak homeware but also home fragrance and natural soaps.

For a small extra charge, you can even personalise your clock with text and artwork.  Just add your required text and image under the ‘Personalise Your Product’ tab.

Their slate house signs are pretty special too, or how about a beautiful Welsh slate cheeseboard or some placemats and coasters?

There are loads of really special and unique gifts so you can give something a little more out of the ordinary this Christmas.

Take a look at their site at www.valleymill.co.uk.  Valley Mill has stores in Neath and Swansea and you’ll find their gifts in lots of tourist gift shops such as the one at Caerphilly Castle.

You’ll find them on Facebook @valleymillhomeware and Twitter @valleymillshop.

You may also enjoy:

Share:

110 Comments

  1. Christopher Read
    4 October, 2019 / 11:27 pm

    I like the memo board with the days printed on it 🙂

  2. Lia Burns
    4 October, 2019 / 10:48 pm

    I love the Melin Tregwynt broadstripe oatmeal welsh blanket it looks so cosy and beautiful x

  3. Jenny Barker
    4 October, 2019 / 10:07 pm

    love welsh slate heart photo frame :0)

  4. Patricia Avery
    4 October, 2019 / 9:17 pm

    I love the heart clock and the slate Christmas decorations

  5. Tracey Hallmark
    4 October, 2019 / 8:51 pm

    I love the slate quadruple photo frame a few of our family photos in our home town in Wales would look fab in it

  6. A.E. Adkins
    4 October, 2019 / 8:40 pm

    Love the slate sign, 300 X 400 X 20MM, would help our deliveries – we currently have no house number outside our house

  7. Kim Neville
    4 October, 2019 / 7:23 pm

    I like the WELSH SLATE ‘AND SO OUR ADVENTURE BEGINS’ SIGN

  8. Naomi Williams
    4 October, 2019 / 5:09 pm

    Welsh Slate House Sign

  9. Yvonne Dimbleby
    4 October, 2019 / 4:20 pm

    The Welsh Slate cheese board – Round Caws looks lovely

  10. Stef Acaster
    4 October, 2019 / 3:47 pm

    I like the slate cheese board

  11. Rachell Lynch
    4 October, 2019 / 3:40 pm

    the welsh slate cheese board cheese wedge

  12. Rachel Craig
    4 October, 2019 / 3:21 pm

    I commented on blog :- How to Instill an Attitude of Gratitude in Children.

  13. Rachel Craig
    4 October, 2019 / 2:44 pm

    Welsh Slate House Sign, allows clear and accurate information for postal staff, delivery of goods and services. Can be personalised.

  14. Rachel Craig
    4 October, 2019 / 2:39 pm

    Welsh Slate House Sign. Would be Wonderful as a home warming / house warming gift.

  15. Ruth Wollerton
    4 October, 2019 / 1:52 pm

    The Slate heart photo frame is sooo gorgeous xxx

  16. Denise walton
    4 October, 2019 / 12:56 pm

    I love the heart shaped cheese board

  17. Geri Gregg
    4 October, 2019 / 12:32 pm

    Ooo so much choice but I love the memo boards

  18. paula cheadle
    4 October, 2019 / 11:53 am

    Love the slate cheese board, would go lovely with my slate plates

  19. Sian Buckingham
    4 October, 2019 / 11:30 am

    There are so many lovely products! The memo boards are my favourite!

  20. Justine Crowe
    4 October, 2019 / 10:17 am

    I adore the heart shaped photo frames

  21. Dawn Samples
    4 October, 2019 / 9:59 am

    The personalised t-shirts are a great idea x

  22. Sophie Roberts
    4 October, 2019 / 7:47 am

    The welsh cheese board is my next favourite!

  23. Natalie Gillham
    4 October, 2019 / 5:06 am

    I love the PHOTOGRAPH ENGRAVINGs.

  24. Ann Skamarauskas
    3 October, 2019 / 10:51 pm

    the cheese knife

  25. Sylvia Paul
    3 October, 2019 / 10:11 pm

    I really like the MINI HAEMATITE HEARTS xx

  26. Mel Pennie
    3 October, 2019 / 6:44 pm

    WELSH SLATE TRIPLE PHOTO FRAME – LANDSCAPE – I have three pets (1 dog and 2 cats) and would love to have their pictures in something as beautiful as this frame!

  27. donna l jones
    3 October, 2019 / 2:54 pm

    Welsh slate cheese boards are nice

  28. Ian Yates
    3 October, 2019 / 2:44 pm

    The Welsh Slate wine rack.

  29. Anneka Davies
    3 October, 2019 / 9:20 am

    I love the welsh slate clock with Roman numerals

  30. Helen Best
    3 October, 2019 / 7:42 am

    I love the Welsh Cheese board xx

  31. Carly Belsey
    3 October, 2019 / 4:05 am

    I love the Dipped Turquoise Vase. There are some lovely items on the website

  32. Sheri Darby
    2 October, 2019 / 9:23 pm

    I love the TYTHEGSTON LARGE JUG

  33. Theresa Hailey
    2 October, 2019 / 8:43 pm

    I love the memo board, soap dish and frames. All things I’ve never seen in slate before. The Welsh slate is beautiful.

  34. Christine Lockley
    2 October, 2019 / 8:01 pm

    I love the “Welsh Slate cheese board – Round Caws”

  35. Anthea Holloway
    2 October, 2019 / 6:40 pm

    I love the Welsh slate house signs.

  36. Twirlywhirly
    2 October, 2019 / 5:50 pm

    Had to put in an order as so many wonderful things & now I’m loving the heart engraving, slate is amazing the door plaques are so stylish gorgeous

  37. Susan Pointon
    2 October, 2019 / 10:55 am

    Such gorgeous items, and unique too! I’m glad I’ve come across your blog, it’s opening me up to designers I never even knew of before.

  38. Troy Easton
    1 October, 2019 / 9:06 pm

    I like the NATURAL ROSEMARY & LIME SOAP sounds nice.

  39. Michelle Lewis-Robertson
    1 October, 2019 / 12:45 pm

    I absolutely loved the wooden wick candles

  40. Marie Rungapadiachy
    30 September, 2019 / 4:40 pm

    I love the 6 x Square Welsh Slate Coasters. They are natural and beautiful.

  41. Louise
    30 September, 2019 / 4:19 pm

    The trays are gorgeous.

  42. James Travis
    30 September, 2019 / 3:10 pm

    I like the Tythegston Salad Bowl

  43. Christine Caple
    29 September, 2019 / 10:25 pm

    I love the Welsh slate house signs.

  44. Stephanie Coals
    29 September, 2019 / 11:44 am

    Really like the slate memo boards, they look really unique!

  45. Joyce W
    28 September, 2019 / 9:24 pm

    The photograph engraving is amazing!

  46. Alison Johnson
    26 September, 2019 / 10:26 pm

    I love the Rectangular Welsh Slate Placemats as they look really beautiful.

  47. Adrian Price
    26 September, 2019 / 8:30 pm

    i love the house signs

  48. Carly Belsey
    26 September, 2019 / 7:45 pm

    My nan is Welsh and I would love to gift to her the Welsh slate clock – Dragon with Roman Numerals – she would adore this. An idea for Christmas

  49. Janis Mcalinden
    26 September, 2019 / 6:26 pm

    Love the coasters and place mats

  50. Danielle Spencer
    24 September, 2019 / 2:01 pm

    Love the look of the candles. Especially the sound of the mixed berries candle.

  51. Lorna Ledger
    23 September, 2019 / 7:34 pm

    TYTHEGSTON SALAD BOWL – so very gorgeous!

  52. MANDY DOHERTY
    22 September, 2019 / 7:07 pm

    The slate cheeseboard wedge and the wooden wick candles

  53. Jessica Powell
    22 September, 2019 / 6:00 pm

    I love the Welsh Dragon coaster set. 🙂

  54. Jazz Fulcher
    22 September, 2019 / 2:40 pm

    I love the swimming pool jewellery by ronin

  55. CLAIRE WOODS
    22 September, 2019 / 9:48 am

    BLOSSOM BRACELET

  56. Suzanne Gaulton
    21 September, 2019 / 7:38 am

    I love the personalised candles

  57. Mark R
    19 September, 2019 / 8:35 pm

    I like the Welsh Slate Cheese Board Wedge

  58. Liam Bishop
    19 September, 2019 / 11:06 am

    I really like their placemats, I think they would be great for a nice dinner set!

  59. john prendergast
    18 September, 2019 / 9:57 pm

    The 4 Hole Welsh Slate Wine Rack

  60. cheryl hadfield
    17 September, 2019 / 10:14 pm

    I really like Welsh slate cheese boards

  61. Ruth Harwood
    17 September, 2019 / 8:11 am

    The JONES THE BONES MUSCLE AND JOINT OIL would come in useful for my knees and the stiffness there! xx

  62. Pam Smith
    17 September, 2019 / 7:45 am

    The Round Caws Cheese Board is fabulous

  63. Julie Ward
    16 September, 2019 / 10:10 pm

    The bath bombs

  64. Jo F
    16 September, 2019 / 9:54 pm

    Love the Welsh slate cheese boards

  65. H
    16 September, 2019 / 8:59 pm

    Lovely clock. Welsh slate is so lovely for any home.

  66. charlotte isobelle
    16 September, 2019 / 3:52 pm

    I love all the clocks but the slate photo frames are gorgeous!

  67. TRACY JAMES
    16 September, 2019 / 2:24 pm

    i really love the welsh slate heart photo frame

  68. Laura Loo
    16 September, 2019 / 11:58 am

    I love the Welsh Slate Cheese Boards, Can’t decide which one I like most

  69. Jo Glasspool
    16 September, 2019 / 11:07 am

    I love the EBSWORTH TEA POT, would look great in my kitchen.

  70. Sarah Bailey
    16 September, 2019 / 12:56 am

    There is something lovely about items made from slate. I personally really like the slate table runner.

  71. Ellen Stafford
    15 September, 2019 / 11:49 pm

    I love the wood wick candles.

  72. Julia Kerr
    15 September, 2019 / 11:18 pm

    I REALLY love the blossom bracelet

  73. Rebecca Nisbet
    15 September, 2019 / 10:49 pm

    I like the heart shaped welsh slate coasters

  74. Hayley Colburn
    15 September, 2019 / 10:41 pm

    I really like the coasters and placemats

  75. Ritchie Dee
    15 September, 2019 / 10:25 pm

    Welsh Slate Heart Photo Frame

  76. Charlotte H
    15 September, 2019 / 9:42 pm

    I love the heart shape coasters

  77. MichelleD
    15 September, 2019 / 8:31 pm

    Love the Welsh slate tray!

  78. Andrea Fletcher
    15 September, 2019 / 7:17 pm

    I like the St. David’s Cross Silver Welsh Blanket.

  79. Susan Smith
    15 September, 2019 / 7:04 pm

    The Welsh Slate Cheese Board – Cheese wedge

  80. Jennifer Toal
    15 September, 2019 / 6:09 pm

    I love this rustic living ⏰

  81. Judith Lightfoot
    15 September, 2019 / 4:29 pm

    What a stunning clock

  82. Siobhan Graham
    15 September, 2019 / 4:29 pm

    What a fantastic prize…good luck everyone

  83. melanie stirling
    15 September, 2019 / 3:54 pm

    I love the Welsh blankets but there are so many lovely colours it’s hard to choose! I think I would go for the Ripple Dusky pink.

  84. Tanya
    15 September, 2019 / 3:35 pm

    the welsh cake candle

  85. Sarah Cooper
    15 September, 2019 / 3:06 pm

    The personalised candles

  86. Jane Willis
    15 September, 2019 / 10:36 am

    I love unusual pottery and the TYTHEGSTON SALAD BOWL looks stunning, just the kind of piece I’d love to add to my collection

  87. Leanne Hansell
    15 September, 2019 / 4:18 am

    My favourite item is the Welsh cake candle.

  88. fiona waterworth
    14 September, 2019 / 9:17 pm

    My husband would love the WELSH SLATE CHEESE BOARD – WEDGE, he loves his various cheeses

  89. Helen Thurston
    14 September, 2019 / 3:59 pm

    I love the house signs in particular

  90. Susan B
    14 September, 2019 / 3:49 pm

    Love the INK & YELLOW WELSH WOOLLEN SCARF. The colours are really appealing.

  91. Susan B
    14 September, 2019 / 3:46 pm

    The WELSH SLATE MEMO BOARD – LARGE LANDSCAPE looks cool and would be really useful in our house.

  92. Sandra Fortune
    14 September, 2019 / 2:57 pm

    I love the engraved photographs

  93. Donna Loxton
    14 September, 2019 / 2:33 pm

    My favourite item is the welsh cake candle, I would love to try that out!

  94. Annabel Greaves
    14 September, 2019 / 2:20 pm

    I really love the look of the nice candles

  95. clair downham
    14 September, 2019 / 2:15 pm

    love the slate trays

  96. Margaret Clarkson
    14 September, 2019 / 2:02 pm

    WELSH SLATE HEART PHOTO FRAME

  97. Iain maciver
    14 September, 2019 / 1:58 pm

    love the Welsh slate cheese board-

  98. Margaret Gallagher
    14 September, 2019 / 1:02 pm

    Their scented candlez are do fragrant – already recommend to all

  99. Kelly Wheelhouse
    14 September, 2019 / 12:52 pm

    I love the slate house signs!

  100. Ursula Hunt
    14 September, 2019 / 9:35 am

    I love the ROUND 4 PRONG SET SOLITAIRE DIAMOND PENDANT NECKLACE

  101. Ursula Hunt,
    14 September, 2019 / 9:32 am

    I love the Welsh slate cheese board- cheese mouse, perfect useful product

  102. Priscilla Stubbs
    14 September, 2019 / 9:10 am

    I love the Welsh Slate Heart Photo Frame

  103. Katie Skeoch
    14 September, 2019 / 9:07 am

    Has to be the amazing cheese boards! Id love an engraved one for the house

  104. Susie Wilkinson
    14 September, 2019 / 9:02 am

    As a big cheese lover I found the Welsh Slate cheese board – Cheese Mouse great!

  105. donna skelton
    14 September, 2019 / 8:02 am

    Fruity bath bombs

  106. Solange
    14 September, 2019 / 6:13 am

    I love the Ripple Dusky Pink Welsh Blanket.

  107. Tracy Nixon
    14 September, 2019 / 3:48 am

    I also love their ALPACA MUSTARD WELSH BLANKET

  108. MARIA ROGERS
    13 September, 2019 / 10:51 pm

    I love Welsh Slate, I have a gorgeous sheep blackboard in it! My fav product is the heart shaped photo engraving, so unique! Love it!

  109. Jessica Jacob
    13 September, 2019 / 9:40 pm

    This is gorgeous, I love when natural materials are used in functional pieces x