Albuera: 200th Anniversary

The second part our tour to the Peninsular War battlefields has the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Albuera as its centrepiece. One of the bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War it is the stuff of legend where much British regimental tradition was born. In addition to Albuera we visit many of the cavalry actions in the south which are rarely visited. Included in these are Villargarcia – Le Marchant’s first action in the Peninsula – and two great controversial actions, Maguilla and Campo Mayor. Our tour itinerary may be changed according to local events. What is certain, however, is that we will be standing on ‘The Fatal Hill’ on 16 May, the 200th anniversary of Albuera. We will also attend the annual commemorative ceremony in the town.

Day 1. Fly London to Lisbon. Drive across the Tagus to Badajoz and check-in at the 5-star NH Casino hotel, overlooking the river Guadiana. Overnight stay.
Day 2. Breakfast. We explore Badajoz and consider the great siege of 1812. We visit the castle and the site of the breaches as where so much slaughter took place on that fateful night of 6 April 1812. We also visit Fort San Christobal, scene of the failed attack in June 1811. We then drive a few miles north to visit Campo Mayor and follow the controversial cavalry action of March 1811. Drive to Zafra and check-in at our 3-star hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 3. Breakfast. We drive south to visit some of the cavalry actions from 1811 and 1812, including Los Santos, Villagarcia, Usagre and Maguilla, the action which led Wellington to use his infamous ‘galloping at everything’ comment about his cavalry. Return to hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 4. Breakfast. Today we drive to Merida for a free day to enjoy the various Roman ruins that remain in the city today. Return to Zafra. Overnight.
Day 5. Breakfast. The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Albuera. We will take a look at the battlefield from the initial French positions before going up on to the main fighting area from where the story will be told of Zayas’s stand, Colborne’s plight at the hands of the Polish lancers and French hussars, the great infantry battle between Hoghton and Abercrombie and Girard and Gazan, and, finally, the advance of the Fusiliers which finally decided the battle in the Allies’ favour. It should be a quite memorable day. Return to hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 6. Breakfast. We make the journey back to Lisbon and the return flight to London.