About

About Herd & Elder

Handmade Goat Milk Soap | Grown, Made & Crafted in the Rossendale Valley

We’re a young family who unintentionally started a smallholding on a forgotten patch of hillside here in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. This land had been neglected for years — overgrown with reeds, choked with moss, and used for fly-tipping. But at its heart stood an ailing Elder tree, leaning and covered in lichen. We saw it not as a problem, but as a chance to heal — for the land, and for ourselves.

Driven by a desire for a simpler, healthier way of living, we set out to grow, rear, and make our own food and products. What began as a personal project quickly became a passion — and eventually, a business rooted in regeneration, sustainability, and traditional craft.

Regenerating the Land, Naturally

We began with the basics: pigs and hens to help turn the soil, herbal pasture mixes to restore native grasses, and edible hedgerows to shelter the land and support biodiversity. We used compost, rotational grazing, and permaculture principles to bring life back into the soil — slowly, patiently, season by season.

By late 2019, we welcomed our first goats. These gentle creatures now graze the hillside and hedgerows we planted and help maintain the land while producing the beautiful, nutrient-rich milk that forms the base of our handmade goat milk soap and natural skincare.

The Elder tree, once sickly, has made a full recovery. In spring it gives us flowers, in autumn berries — and it gives us our name: Herd & Elder, a symbol of healing and regrowth.

Handmade Goat Milk Soap, Inspired by Nature

Our soaps are made in small batches using the traditional cold process method. We combine our fresh goat milk with natural oils, clays, botanicals, and essential oils — and nothing else. Every bar is palm oil free, plastic free, and free from harsh detergents like SLS.

We make each product by hand with care and intention, guided by the rhythms of the seasons and the needs of our land. The result is a collection of eco-friendly, sustainable skincare that’s kind to your skin and gentle on the planet.

At Herd & Elder, we believe in working with nature, not against it, embracing sustainability at every step. We value self-reliance, producing what we can right here on our land. Our craftsmanship focuses on doing things slowly, properly, and beautifully, ensuring quality in every product. We are committed to low waste and low impact, using recyclable packaging and conscious materials to care for both your skin and the planet.

These values extend beyond the soap studio. Claire, co-founder of Herd & Elder and the maker behind The Mountain and Me, creates sustainable bamboo jewellery inspired by nature and minimalist design. Together, we’re building a life rooted in intention — from the soil to the soap dish.

Join the Herd

While Herd & Elder is still young, we’re built on strong foundations: traditional methods, regenerative values, and a growing community of customers who care about what they use on their skin — and where it comes from.

We invite you to follow our journey, meet the goats, and see what’s happening on the land over on our Instagram.