Silver Cross Valencia Cot Bed review: a premium cot bed with timeless style and lasting quality

Price on writing: £419 | Buy now from Amazon

How we tested the Silver Cross Valencia Cot Bed

Holly tested the Silver Cross Valencia cot bed for six weeks with her son, who was nine months old at the start of testing and 10.5 months old by the end.

During that time, the cot bed was used every day and night as part of his normal sleep routine, giving Holly a good understanding of how it performed in real family life. As well as assessing comfort and sleep quality, she evaluated everything from assembly and adjustability to build quality, durability and overall ease of use.

Once testing was complete, Holly scored the Valencia cot bed across eight key areas: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, assembly, comfort and adjustability. It achieved an impressive overall score of 93 out of 100, which equates to a five-star rating.

The cot bed performed particularly strongly in performance, quality and durability, ease of use, safety and comfort, achieving full marks in each category. These scores reflect Holly's experience of a cot bed that felt exceptionally sturdy, well-made and comfortable for her son throughout the testing period.

Our tester's son had plenty of space to move around

What's in the box?

Everything needed to assemble the Silver Cross Valencia cot bed is included in the box, with the exception of the mattress, which is sold separately.

Inside the packaging you'll find:

• Cot bed frame parts

• Mattress base (not the same as the mattress sold separately)

• Side rails

• End panels

• Fixings and screws

• Assembly tools

• Instruction manual

Holly found that all the components were clearly packaged and easy to identify during assembly. As she explains, "All parts of the cot bed were in the packaging (screws, base, sides, end panels and tools for screws) as well as instructions. The mattress came separately."

It's worth noting that you'll need to purchase a compatible 140cm x 70cm mattress separately. Holly tested the cot bed with the Silver Cross TrueFit™ Reversible Pocket Spring Cot Bed Mattress, which is designed specifically to fit Silver Cross cot beds.

How easy is it to assemble?

Holly found the Silver Cross Valencia cot bed relatively straightforward to put together, particularly compared with some larger pieces of nursery furniture that can take hours to assemble.

The cot arrives flat-packed and requires self-assembly, but Holly and her partner had it built quickly. She says, "We found it pretty easy to assemble. It took the two of us about 20 minutes to do it."

Assembly wasn't completely without its challenges, though. Holly explains, "The only tricky bit was getting some of the screws in as these were very close to the bars so there wasn't much space to rotate your hand, but it was still totally manageable."

Despite this, the overall experience was positive. Holly appreciated how quickly the cot came together, adding, "Convenience is everything with a baby!" Silver Cross also includes all the fixings, tools and instructions required for assembly in the box, so there's no need to buy any additional equipment before getting started.

How does the Silver Cross Valencia Cot Bed look?

Holly was immediately impressed by the Valencia cot bed’s appearance, describing it as a cot bed that looks every bit as premium as its price tag suggests.

Available in a single white finish with natural ash accents, the Valencia cot bed has a clean, understated design that feels modern without being overly trend-led. The neutral colour palette makes it easy to incorporate into a wide range of nursery styles, whether you're creating a contemporary space or something more traditional.

Despite being a full-size cot bed, Holly felt the Valencia didn't take up as much visual space as she expected. She says, "It's a fairly standard cot bed size I'd say (140cm x 70cm). It looks compact as the end panels and side rails are not particularly thick." Its relatively slim frame also meant it didn’t take up too much space, with Holly adding, "It fits neatly into the corner of our baby's room."

The Silver Cross Valencia range also includes matching nursery furniture, including a dresser and wardrobe, for a coordinated look.

Does the Silver Cross Valencia Cot Bed come with accessories?

No. The Valencia cot bed is sold as a standalone piece of furniture, so it doesn't come with any additional accessories included in the box. You'll also need to purchase a compatible mattress separately.

However, if you're looking to create a coordinated nursery, Silver Cross offers matching furniture within the Valencia range, including the Silver Cross Valenica dresser and the Silver Cross Valencia Wardrobe.

Is the Silver Cross Valencia Cot Bed adjustable?

Yes, the Valencia cot bed has three mattress height positions, allowing it to adapt as your child grows from newborn through to toddlerhood. Holly didn't need to use the higher mattress positions during testing, explaining, "We've always had it on the lowest one as our son has been mobile since we've been using this cot and we don’t want him to climb out."

Like most cot beds, adjusting the mattress height isn't something you'll do regularly, but it does require a bit of dismantling when the time comes. As Holly explains, "You'd have to take out the mattress, use an allen key to unscrew the side rails from the end panels to get to the base, then unscrew the base and find the level you want before screwing everything back in." She estimates the process would take around 10 to 15 minutes.

The Valencia cot bed’s adjustability extends beyond the mattress heights, too. It can be converted from a cot bed into a toddler bed by removing the side rails when your child is ready for more independence. While Holly hasn't reached this stage yet, she felt the cot bed offered good longevity thanks to its adaptable design.

How comfortable is it?

Very. In fact, Holly says that comfort was never an issue during testing. She explains that her son seemed settled and happy sleeping in the Valencia cot bed during the day and at night. As she explains, "Our son has always seemed comfortable in it."

Holly also felt the roomy base gave him plenty of space to move around at night. She says, "It's very sturdy and spacious for the size he is now which is good as he likes to move a lot in his sleep and is able to without hitting the sides too often."

What’s the cot bed mattress like?

For testing, Holly used the Silver Cross TrueFit™ Reversible Pocket Spring Cot Bed Mattress, which is sold separately. She was impressed with how well it worked alongside the Valencia cot bed, explaining, "It really does fit the cot bed perfectly."

The reversible design was another feature she appreciated, particularly from a longevity perspective. As Holly says, "It's also great that it's reversible, i.e. has a firm side for babies and a softer side for toddlers - means we'll be able to use it for a long time." She also felt reassured by the firmness of the baby side, adding, "The firm side definitely feels suitably firm which gives us peace of mind."

Holly was equally positive about the removable mattress cover and waterproof panel, although she would have preferred more comprehensive protection. She explains, "I love that there's a mattress cover on there that can be removed to wash and that this has a waterproof area to it that can be moved based on where a child sleeps. However, I think it'd be even better if the whole cover was waterproof given our baby moves so much in his sleep!"

The Silver Cross TrueFit™ mattress collection gives you plenty of choice, with three high quality designs made for every budget. All Silver Cross mattresses are compatible with Silver Cross cot beds.

The Silver Cross Valencia cot bed converts into a toddler bed, helping it grow with your child beyond the cot stage.

How easily does it convert into a toddler bed?

As Holly's son was still too young for the toddler bed stage, she hadn't tested the conversion herself but expected it to be relatively straightforward. "I think it's a similar level of difficulty to just changing the levels and think it'd take a similar amount of time."

Holly says, "You'd take off the side rails then adjust the end panels to become headboards and footboards." She expected the process to involve "some unscrewing and screwing back together" rather than being completely tool-free.

Is the Silver Cross Valencia cot bed good value for money?

Yes, although Holly acknowledges the Valencia cot bed sits at the more premium end of the cot bed market, with an RRP of around £419. As she explains, "Though not cheap, given the quality, design and longevity, I do think it's good value."

Compared with more budget-friendly cot beds, you're paying more for the finish, materials and overall feel of the product. Holly felt the Valencia cot bed looked and felt like a premium piece of nursery furniture, which helped justify the higher price point.

It's worth noting that some competitors, such as the Ickle Bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed, include extras like an underbed storage drawer as standard. The Valencia cot bed takes a more streamlined approach, focusing on the cot bed itself rather than additional storage features.

Holly had few criticisms of the Valencia, noting: "The only downside is that it could be easier to adjust (though I don't see this as a big issue as you're not adjusting often) and as noted above, be great if the mattress could come with a waterproof cover!"

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children’s health and development.

She has contributed to a wide range of lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and has edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children’s development, wellbeing and safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids, as well as essential baby products for everyday family life, from baby monitors and sleep aids to feeding equipment like highchairs and nursery must-haves, alongside baby travel gear such as baby carriers, child bike seats and lightweight strollers.