Ware Museum

About the museum

Ware Museum began in 1986, when archaeological digs in and around the town produced the first finds and a small group of local people set up displays to show them. Its fortieth anniversary is being marked in 2026 with two exhibitions that look back at its early years and the decades that followed.

The museum occupies Priory Lodge on the High Street, beside the entrance to Ware Priory. It is an independent, accredited museum run as a charity (a charitable incorporated organisation). A board of ten local trustees oversees it, supported by a museum manager and a team of volunteers who steward the galleries and look after the collections.

The displays follow the story of Ware from prehistoric settlement to the present day. Ware grew up where the road north crosses the River Lea, and its history is shaped by that river crossing, by the malting trade and by brick making. The collections cover archaeology, geology, photographs and social, industrial and cultural history. Notable objects include a silver seal from the medieval alien Benedictine priory founded in 1081, the skeleton of a Roman woman nicknamed Flavia, a hand-pump railway trolley from the local Wickham engineering company, and a piece of the coverlet of the Great Bed of Ware, the giant Elizabethan bed that was bought by the V&A in the 1930s.

A recreated Second World War command centre and a small garden complete the visit. Entry is free, and the museum also serves as a tourist information point and runs a small gift shop.

Highlights

• Roman skeleton of a woman nicknamed Flavia
• Silver seal from the medieval Benedictine priory of Ware
• Piece of the coverlet from the Great Bed of Ware
• Second World War command centre with a typewriter and 1940s dressing up
• Hand-pump railway trolley made by the Wickham company

Permanent exhibitions

• Ware's galleries: Roman and medieval Ware – Four galleries trace the history of the town, with Roman remains, medieval objects and finds from local archaeological digs.
• Ware Command Centre – A recreated Second World War command centre where visitors can try on 1940s clothes and type on an old manual typewriter.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Ware Museum CIO (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free. The museum relies on donations and shop income, and visitors can give online or in person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main galleries are on the ground floor with step-free access throughout. The Second World War command centre is reached from inside the museum by a short flight of steps, or step-free through the museum garden. Display information is in large print, and a magnifying glass and a sheet magnifier can be borrowed. Assistance dogs are welcome and a bowl of water is provided. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Wodson Park Sports Centre. A detailed access guide is published on AccessAble.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Families are welcome. There is a play area for under-5s, a 1940s dressing-up box and a manual typewriter in the command centre, an archaeological dig for all ages, family activity leaflets with a museum trail and an aircraft-spotting challenge, and a medieval well to look into.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the High Street by the entrance to Ware Priory. By car it is about 5 minutes from the A10 and 20 minutes from the A1. what3words: cargo.glare.foal.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small gift shop with Ware souvenirs, local books, stationery and toys. The museum is also a tourist information point with brochures on local attractions. There are no bicycle racks, but bicycles can be left in the garden at the owner's risk.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit