Peninsula War - recommended places to visit?

[Explorer]

Does anyone know of a good guidebook to visiting Peninsular War battlefields/fortifications etc?

Or anyone with personal experience of riding down to see any of these in Spain or Portugal?

I am going there this summer and I guess much of it has changed beyond recognition but it would be good to see somewhere that still gave an impression of what it was like.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[MikeP]

I can't recommend a guide book that will deal with the Peninsula War but I did visit some of the places that my regiment fought during that campaign.

The main problem is the nature of the battles. Either they were in the open countryside or places like Cuidad Real, Badajoz or Valladolid. Sometimes places that have given their names to battles such as Albuhera, are not that near the battlefield.

You can find the places but there's very little to see of the actions (Valladolid is a particularly unpleasant modern town now).

I looked around in the early 90's and again in 2005. Apart from ticking off the names there wasn't much else to see.

 

[Invicta Moto]

I can't recommend a guide book that will deal with the Peninsula War but I did visit some of the places that my regiment fought during that campaign.

The main problem is the nature of the battles. Either they were in the open countryside or places like Cuidad Real, Badajoz or Valladolid. Sometimes places that have given their names to battles such as Albuhera, are not that near the battlefield.

You can find the places but there's very little to see of the actions (Valladolid is a particularly unpleasant modern town now).

I looked around in the early 90's and again in 2005. Apart from ticking off the names there wasn't much else to see.

Mike, I planned a trip a long time ago and the web wasn't what it is today, but had the same result as you have outlined, in the end I gave up and did the classic sites like Sergovia and Avila.

Sadly, even the Civil War places are hard to get a handle on and still an open sore if you ask the wrong person.

 

[MikeP]

Mike, I planned a trip a long time ago and the web wasn't what it is today, but had the same result as you have outlined, in the end I gave up and did the classic sites like Sergovia and Avila.

Sadly, even the Civil War places are hard to get a handle on and still an open sore if you ask the wrong person.

True, the Civil War is still a bit of a touchy subject in some areas.

Probably a better bet as a 'theme' for travelling in Spain is "The Reconquest." Spain must be the most fortified country in Europe and there are castles everywhere. Many are tiny little places perched on top of rocky outcrops and most are accessible for free.

As long as you keep to minor roads (much more suited to a GS anyway), you'll find the fortifications everywhere.

 

[Lord Snooty]

You could visit Ciudad Rodrigo - it is a fortified medieval town that featured in the Peninsula wars. It is a lovely place, we stayed in a hotel that was very close to the 11th century cathedral. You can walk around the perimeter of the fortified walls which are about 2km in length.

 

[Invicta Moto]

This is quite spectacular... and I mean that apolitically.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Valle_de_los_Caídos

 

[Explorer]

Thanks for the responses

Thanks to all who have input on this one. Not much to see seems to be the answer generally!

I have a copy of 'The Sharpe Companion' by Mark Adkin which gives pen and ink maps of some of the battlefields - I might try to use that to identify some of the ground.

I still think there must be something better given teh level of interest in this part of history. Perhaps I should be getting of my arse and searching Amazon etc for a decent guidebook!

 

[Invicta Moto]

Thanks to all who have input on this one. Not much to see seems to be the answer generally!

I have a copy of 'The Sharpe Companion' by Mark Adkin which gives pen and ink maps of some of the battlefields - I might try to use that to identify some of the ground.

I still think there must be something better given teh level of interest in this part of history. Perhaps I should be getting of my arse and searching Amazon etc for a decent guidebook!

Not such a bad idea. I have this book about Wellington and was about to buy this one. Although the review on Amazon isn't that helpful.

 

[Explorer]

Some Information of Interest

To anyone following this thread, I have now got off my arse a bit (only sort of lifted one cheek temporarily really)

Two websites I found of interest were:

www.british-cemetery-elvas.org http://www.british-cemetery-elvas.org which is the only British gravesite on the Peninsular.

www.peninsularwar.org http://peninsularwar.org which gives lot of hisotry and outline maps of the battles relating them to the modern road system.

Did not keep a record of it but the Royal Engineers Museum websiate had some pictures of Badajoz showing where the breaches were blown by the Sappers.

 

[Explorer]

More info (Invicta Moto NB)

This might be a good guide book according to some reviews:

Wellington at War in the Peninsula, 1808-1814: An Overview and a Guide
Robertson, Ian C. Wellington at War in the Peninsula, 1808-1814: An Overview and a Guide. Barnsley, UK: Leo Cooper/Pen & Sword Books, 2000. 352 pages. ISBN# 0850526604. Hardcover. £19.95. ISBN# 085052735X. Paperback. £14.95.

 

[Explorer]

To anyone interested, I bought this book and can let you know if it helps. Explorer.

 

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Peninsular war

Julian Paget has produced a book on the battle sites. Explains where to stand and evenm provides hotel information.

I will be 'doing' the 1809 campaign later this year on a Pan.

 

[Explorer]

Julian Paget has produced a book on the battle sites. Explains where to stand and evenm provides hotel information.

I will be 'doing' the 1809 campaign later this year on a Pan.

What is his book called?

 

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Wellingtons Peninsular War.

This covers the battlesites. The troop movements I am getting from 'Oman's' Peninsular War which is a bit heavy going - he died in 1946

 

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Peninsular war

I am now well into the 1808 troop movements. Any bikers interested in the trip?

 

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Peninsular war

Sorry 1809

 

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I will be visiting Ciudad Rodrigo on my tour later this year. Could have the name of the hotel?