Blaenavon is located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, with a significant portion of its UNESCO World Heritage Industrial Landscape falling within the park's boundaries, making it a gateway to both industrial history and natural beauty.
This combination gives Blaenavon a charm that sets it apart from some of the more commercialised areas of South Wales.
The Argus spoke to locals on Blaenavon High Street to see what they make of the area.
Blaenafon Cheddar Company really stood out to us as a unique and wonderful business.(Outside the shop) (Image: NQ)
Susan Fiander-Woodhouse, 64, runs the family cheese business Blaenafon Cheddar Company with her husband, Jerry, 62, and their daughter, Charlotte, 34.
Susan said: "We established the business in 2006. Everything is made in the dairy, so we have the dairy on one side and retail on the other.
"It's all handmade -- there are no artificial flavourings or preservatives -- and we use as many ingredients as we can from Wales, from the south to mid-Wales and up to North Wales. Working with local businesses is really important to us and it helps bring footfall through."
Owner Susan inside the Blaenafon Cheddar Company (Image: NQ)
The award-winning produce is also celebrity chef approved: "Our 1868, which is aged in the Lion Hotel, is gorgeous. We are international champions and Welsh champions with our Taffy apple cider and onion marmalade cheese. Gino D'Acampo said it was 'orgasmic cheese,' so if it's good enough for Gino, it's good enough for us."
Susan was full of praise for the Blaenavon area.
"There's a lot to do here, especially for the children," she said. "We've got the railway and the steam trains running Big Pit, and niche shops like the railway shop where model enthusiasts can get their bits and bobs. Crime is low, and it's a very safe community. There's a strong community spirit here, and we all look after each other."
Welsh General Store, run by Morgane and her partner, is a fantastic Welsh produce-centred business.
Speaking about the shop, she said: "We opened in March on St David's Day. Everything we sell reflects our ethos: Welsh first, with no processed products, and the quality is really good.
"Our fruit comes from Abergavenny, our coffee from the New Inn, and we stock 102 Welsh products -- the only exception being dog toys. We also have an alcohol license. We are open seven days a week, so there's always somewhere for people to go."
Commenting on the town, Morgane said: "We can see life being breathed back into the area. When we had an issue with our water, the councillors helped us by contacting the water board, and the community really kicked into action. There's no crime here, and everyone is supportive."
A strong sense of community spirit is something many locals felt defined the area.
Strong community spirit is something many locals felt defined the area.
This sentiment was echoed at the Honeybee Cwtch Café, run by Matt Harvey, who has recently moved to the area.
He said: "The community very much looks after itself and is supportive. Pontypool and Cwmbran seem to get more funding, but the future is looking bright, and councillors are keen to get more things happening in Blaenavon."
Popular with tourists Blaenavon continues to attract many different faces.
We also visited the popular chippy, Heritage Plaice Fish and Chips. Staff at the chip shop said: "We get more tourists in the summer -- people come during school holidays from Holland, France, Australia, Canada, the US, and other parts of Europe -- and they love our food. We are the only gluten-free food provider in the Valleys area."
It seems Blaenavon is getting notice further afield, with visitors complementing a strong community spirt that's helping to revive the high street.