Ware, Hertfordshire

Ware, Hertfordshire is a historic market town situated on the River Lea in the East of England. It lies within the East Hertfordshire district, approximately five miles northeast of the county town of Hertford. The town has a rich history rooted in its strategic position on the river and the ancient Ermine Street, evolving from a significant Roman settlement into a prosperous medieval centre for the malting and brewing industries.

History

The area around Ware shows evidence of prehistoric activity, but its recorded history begins with the Romans, who established a settlement known as *Ad Fines* on the important road of Ermine Street. Following the Norman Conquest, the town is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Ware flourished in the Middle Ages, becoming renowned for its Great Bed of Ware, an enormous bed mentioned by William Shakespeare in *Twelfth Night*. The town's prosperity was heavily tied to the River Lea and the Lee Navigation, which facilitated the transport of malt to London, making Ware a national centre for the malting trade by the 18th century. The arrival of the Great Eastern Railway in 1843 further connected the town to the capital. During the Second World War, Ware was home to a significant Royal Ordnance Factory and was impacted by the Luftwaffe.

Geography

Ware is located in the Lee Valley on the western bank of the navigable River Lea, which forms a boundary with the neighbouring town of Hertford. The town's landscape is characterised by the river valley and the surrounding undulating countryside of the Hertfordshire countryside. Key local waterways include the River Ash and the New River, an artificial watercourse completed in 1613 to supply London with fresh water, which runs through the town. The area forms part of the larger Lee Valley Regional Park, providing extensive green spaces and wildlife habitats.

Economy

Historically, Ware's economy was dominated by malting, brewing, and related river trade, with numerous maltings lining the Lee Navigation. While this industry has largely disappeared, the town's economy is now diverse. Major employers include the global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, which has a large research and manufacturing campus on the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory. Other significant sectors include light engineering, logistics, and retail, with the town centre serving as a key shopping hub for the surrounding area. The weekly market, granted a charter by Henry III, continues to operate.

Landmarks

Notable landmarks include the historic Ware Priory, a manor house on the site of a 14th-century Augustinian priory, and its associated gardens. The Great Bed of Ware, dating from circa 1590, is now housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The town features many listed buildings, such as the 16th-century Bluecoat House and the Clock Tower in the market square. Religious architecture includes the Anglican St Mary's Church, with its distinctive spire, and the Roman Catholic St Edmund of Canterbury, Ware. The Ware Museum details local history in a former coaching inn.

Transport

Ware is well-connected by road and rail. The town is bypassed by the A10 road, linking it to London and Cambridge. The Ware railway station is on the West Anglia Main Line, providing regular services to London Liverpool Street via Broxbourne and to Cambridge. Historically, the Lee Navigation was a vital transport artery, and the River Lea remains important for leisure boating. Local bus services, operated by companies like Arriva Shires & Essex, connect Ware to Hertford, Harlow, and other surrounding towns.

Education

Ware has several primary schools, including St Mary's Church of England Primary School and St Catherine's School. Secondary education is provided by the Chauncy School, a academy, and Presdales School, a girls' academy with a mixed sixth form. Further education and vocational training are available at the Hertford Regional College campus in nearby Broxbourne. The town is also within easy reach of the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.