The town of Ware in Hertfordshire lies in the Lea Valley some 20 miles north of the City of London. Before being bypassed by an impressive viaduct across the nearby King's Meads, the town was an important staging post on the road from London to King's Lynn in Norfolk. With a population of 20,000 it is one of the smaller towns north of London, in an area dominated by the new towns of Harlow, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield. However, unlike the nearby new towns, it has a history that can be traced back to the Romans. The aforementioned A10 follows the path of the Roman road known as Ermine Street from Bishopsgate to Lincoln, and there's substantial evidence of a Roman settlement at Ware.

Today, Ware is a growing town with a healthy high street and local amenities, such as Wodson Park sports centre, Southern Maltings arts centre and Ware Drill Hall. Most of the town's shops are in the high street, whilst more can be found in Amwell End, which links the river to the railway station. Notable retail businesses include electrical shop Lavers, which has occupied an outlet in a 1920s row of shops in Amwell End for some 50 years; The Book Nook, a narrow but enchanting bookshop halfway down the high street, and AJ's Pet Store. Like so many towns, hospitality has a big role to play in the high street. The Brewery Tap, Jacoby's and The Mexican [restaurant] occupy attractive buildings. Other popular nightspots include The Saracen's Head and The Waterside, both large pubs next to the river.

The River Lee is an important and attractive feature of the town, noted for its many gazebos along the waterfront. In fact the name Ware is believed to have come from the weirs on the river. Charting a course from Luton to London, the navigable river from Hertford to Bow was an important transport route for trade and industry from the 17th century onwards, with barges carrying agricultural produce into London, particularly barley.

Much of the Ware's history is on show as you walk around the town - the old maltings, many converted in to homes, the former priory and a nearby contrasting modern building named Fletcher's Lea, the cobbled alleyways that lead off the high street - there is much to admire on a short walk around Ware.

The High Street is dominated by small independent retailers along with a mix of hospitality - traditional pubs, contemporary bars and restaurants. Yu'll be hard pressed to find any national chain stores here. Two narrow streets run paralell to the high street - named East Street and West Street.

The west end of the high street turns north to become Baldock Street, which features a fine 16th century inn named The Old Bull Head. At the eastern end of the high street the road turns south, crossing the river in to Amwell End, whilst the road to London continues east.

Many alleys and yards can be found on the south side of the high street between the road and the river. Many of these would have been maltings or attached to coaching inns. Waggonways can be found in abundance along this stretch of the road.