The visitor centre at the The English Route Romangordo isn’t just a junk shop; it’s the headquarters that explain why Napoleon’s French army was defeated by the coalition (English, Spanish and Portuguese) in 1812 just a few kilometres from the town, in an area called New Place, a strategic point controlling access across the River Tagus.

You’ll see a video with the rousing speeches of none other than the British General Rowland Hill himself, information panels everywhere and a choreography of official uniforms which will make you experience the smell of gunpowder and the crunch of boots on the pasture.