In the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, in the picturesque village of Devil’s Bridge, award-winning chocolatier Sarah Bunton has been producing delicious Welsh chocolates and fudge in her workshop since 2009.
Across the famous Devil's Bridge and waterfalls, Sarah's shop is a hive of chocolate activity where you can see chocolates being carefully crafted through a purpose-built window.
With Easter fast approaching, what better time to shop local by visiting an artisan chocolate shop in Wales and stocking up on Welsh chocolate treats for the whole family. To get the latest What's On newsletters from WalesOnline, click here
You might recognise Sarah's chocolates as she regularly sells them and gives demonstrations at Christmas markets and festivals throughout Wales and her chocolate is also stocked in several stores.
In the six years since the company was established, it has gone from strength to strength, winning eight Great Taste Awards as well as a coveted Gold and Silver True Taste award that underlines the quality of the chocolates that Sarah produces.
As well as selling her chocolates online, Sarah enjoys working out of the shop in Devil's Bridge. She said: “I love being based at the cabin, meeting my loyal customers from far and wide and witnessing their delight for my chocolate."
Using the finest ingredients, Sarah has spent many years skilfully hand-making beautiful chocolates and fudge which combine classic flavours with her own special touches to create delicious results.
Originally Sarah, who is from Aberystwyth, funded her way through her studies at Wrexham Glyndwr University by hiring out a chocolate fountain for weddings and parties.
Sarah explained: “Back in 2008 while looking on the internet for a chocolate train mould, I came across chocolate-making courses that inspired me to start creating my own artisan chocolates.
"At the time, my parents had a cafe and gift shop opposite the Vale of Rheidol Railway Station at Devil’s Bridge, and from above the cafe, I started making my chocolate creations."
Sarah successfully launched her own company after learning the art of chocolate making and now sells her hand-made luxury chocolate creations across Wales and even in international destinations like Japan.
Sarah and her growing team create a wide range of filled chocolates and truffles, seasonal gift lines, bars and novelty items. These include indulgent selections of filled chocolates, many containing lush Welsh specialities such as Merlyn Liqueur or Welsh honey.
The chocolate team also creates bespoke items for cafes, hotels and restaurants, such as hot chocolate stirrers, wedding favours and bedroom chocolates.
As well as luxurious fudge, boxed chocolates and bars, they also sell slabs of chocolate with both English and Welsh messages written on them such as ‘Pasg Hapus’, 'Happy Easter' and 'Penblwydd Priodas'.
Their Chocolate Selection Box features handmade white and dark Belgian chocolate discs studded with a combination of fruit and nuts, including almonds, cranberries and golden raisins.
A popular item is their decadent hot chocolate stirrers that can be bought individually or in a presentation box combining their two most popular hot chocolate stirrer flavours- fudge and marshmallow.
Visitors to Sarah's shop can watch her and the team making chocolates and fudge being made right before their eyes, through a window in the store that peers into the chocolate workshop.
Sarah's chocolate is available to buy straight from the shop, or you can buy online. Her chocolate is also available in stores across Wales and beyond and can also be found in restaurants and cafes.
