Ware Next?

We need your help! To support Ware's bid to become #UKTownofCulture2028, we need to start collecting some data about the community and how it engages with culture in the town. To do this, we've created a quick and totally anonymous survey that we need as many people to complete as possible. To complete the survey, just click the link in our bio or in the comments below. A huge thanks in advance from us! 🙏🏻 A couple of quick notes: Some of the questions may seem a little personal, but they will help us build a picture of Ware's community as it is now. They are also all completely optional, so you don't have to answer anything you'd prefer not to. All the data collected will be completely anonymous and cannot be linked to any individuals. The data will only be held for the purposes of supporting our bid for UK Town of Culture and Ware Next CIC's work in supporting culture in the town. Our privacy policy can be found on our website: . #UKTownofCulture #Ware2028 #WareNext

Our website is live! Visit us at to find out all about our bid to become #UKTownofCulture2028. We've also got a great timeline of Ware's history - all 8,000+ years of it! You can also sign up to our mailing list and be the first to hear updates regarding our bid and our exciting plans for culture in the town. #UKTownofCulture #Ware2028 #WareNext

It may seem like a long way off but Christmas soon comes around again, and Christmas is when Ware really comes together! Whether it's the crowds of Dickensian Evening (in its 32nd year this year!), singing Christmas carols with the brass band in the Priory, having your photo taken with the Ware Bear, or just enjoying a cup of festive cheer at one of our town's many fine public houses, the festive season really brings the community together. Tell us your favourite thing about Christmas in Ware in the comments below. 📷 1 & 2: credit @tomrday #UKTownofCulture2028 ##Ware2028 #WareNext

We are absolutely thrilled to be featured on the front page of this week's Hertfordshire Mercury! 🥰 Word of our bid is getting out and we're so excited to share more with with you all in due course. Visit our website - warenext.org - and be sure to sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear our latest news, updates and ways you can take part.

Ware is a community defined by its location at the crossing of river and road, and the River Lea is deeply connected to our town's story - not least because it gets its name from the crossing point of the river. The name of the river itself comes to us from the ancient god Lugh and means 'shining' or 'bright'. On a sunny day in Ware, you can certainly see why! The river is one of the major sources of drinking water for London so, along with Ware's maltmaking history, you could say we've kept the city's thirst at bay for centuries (you're welcome, London 😛)! #UKTownofCulture2028 #Ware2028 #WareNext

Ware has lots of well-used and much-loved green spaces and among these is the King George Playing Field in Trinity. This vital open space is one of 471 such fields in the UK, all dedicated to the memory of King George V and protected as "open space used for the purpose of outdoor games, sports and pastimes." The eagle-eyed amongst you may even have spotted the heraldic plaques on either side of the main entrance on Queens Road 👀 Tell us your favourite green space in Ware in the comments below 👇🏻 📷 credit @tomrday #UKTownofCulture2028 #Ware2028 #WareNext

The golden hour is when Ware really shines and sometimes, just sometimes, you can be in the right spot at the right time to capture the town in all its glory 😍 📷 1-3: @tomrday 📷 4: Nicholas Cox #UKTownofCulture2028 #Ware2028 #WareNext

As soon as the sun comes out, half of Ware heads outside (we're positively continental 😉) And who can blame us when you've got views like this literally just outside the town?! #UKTownofCulture2028 #Ware2028 #WareNext

Not everything in Ware is quite as it seems: the 'town hall' is not a town hall and the Priory is not a priory! The latter is, in fact, the remains of a friary dating back to 1339. The friary was dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII and went on to become a private residence. It's now owned by the town and is the home of Ware Town Council. The Priory grounds are open to the public and are beautifully maintained for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. They are also home to Ware Priory Lido, the Priory play park, the skate park, and Ware Bowling Club. The Priory building itself, and the neighbouring Fletcher's Lea, also provide a fabulous venue for all number of events and activities, from the Council's own extensive programme of community events, to weddings, celebrations of life, parties, and our very own #UKTownofCulture2028 consultation! The Priory is the very heart of our town ❤️ 📷 credit @tomrday #UKTownofCulture #Ware2028 #WareNext

Place House Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Ware with parts of the building dating to the late 13th and early 14th centuries. It's also one of its best-kept secrets, being tucked down Bluecoat Yard, just off East Street. This historic venue now plays host to all manner of activities, including yoga, meditation, crafting, exhibitions, weddings, parties and more. The mediaeval-style garden is a gorgeous place to pause for a few moments, smell the lavender, and watch the bees dart about. You could almost convince yourself you've travelled back in time! #UKTownofCulture2028 #Ware2028 #WareNext

Ware's famous riverside gazebos, or 'Dutch summerhouses' were built in the 18th and early 19th century to offer weary travellers a calm spot to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the high street. Although many of the original gazebos were lost to disrepair, a successful campaign to restore the remaining ones means today we can all enjoy our own spot of calm as we walk (or boat) down the river Lea and admire these iconic structures. 📷 credit @sb_fasd #UKTownofCulture2028 #Ware2028 #WareNext

We're thrilled to announced that over 35 local businesses and creative professionals have expressed their support for Ware's bid to become #UKTownofCulture2028! Our bid envisages bringing together our whole community to celebrate everything that makes Ware such a special place to live, work, and play and we hope that the town's vibrant business community will play a big part in that. A massive thanks to the following for their support: & By Donna Reeves AG Surveying Artshed Arts Bespoke Pest Control Casa Lua Chestnut Vets Clock Cards Crates of Wool Dandelyons Darren Russell Photography Farécla French & Day Delicatessen Gadgets Inn George Parks Films HCM Music Academy Jigsaw Performing Arts Ware-Hertford Keith Ian Kimber Kreative Luke Newell Lyonette x Opal & Iris Mind Shop Ware Mr Simms Sweet Shop Nutz Tattoo Oaken & Bliss Results Fast Saffron Building Society Silver 54 SMart Spirit of Faith Artworks Studio Fly The Book Nook The Dog House The Dolphin Medical & Therapy Rooms Tony's Unity Vape Vape Jungle Ware Ware The Woman Went Ware To Work Withers Thomas Wood Bros Furniture #UKTownofCulture #Ware2028 #WareNext