Caehopkin developed in the late 1800's to house workers at the adjacent Abercrave and International Anthracite collieries. Some of the miners were Spanish and Portuguese workers who had been brought in to work underground.  Many of these lived in Brooklands Terrace, which led to its nickname of "Spanish Row", a name which is still used today. Some of the small two room cottages, typical of Spanish row, can be seen in the picture (top left) above. All are still occupied, although some are now used as holiday homes. 

The collieries on Caehopkin's doorstep are now gone and the countryside has reverted back to its original beauty. The miner's houses are still there however and it is a pretty village looking across the Swansea Valley to Abercrave.