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Other Buildings
The former are some of the main buildings of interest but Ware is a collection of buildings of historic interest, some of them not so easily recognisable as such in the present day. When in the High Street, look up sometime from the shop fronts where the first floor elevations and roofs will give an indication of former uses and importance of the buildings. Examples of other buildings include:
27-29 HIGH STREET - Now two Banks, Barclays and Lloyds, formerly The George Inn 1570 (Pepys, Defoe and Issac Walton all stayed there).
49-51 HIGH STREET - Site of the 15th century Bear Inn later the Falcon. Became the Falcon Foundry, run by Charles Wells in 1830s making fittings for the Maltings. Presently a stationers.
57 HIGH STREET - Once the Bull Inn which received up to 20 mail coaches each day and became the collecting point for mail. Until 1994 the Main Post Office.
61-63 HIGH STREET - This 15th century building was rebuilt in 1624 to include a Roman Catholic Chapel. It became the Royal Qak Inn after the restoration of Charles II in 1660. Until recently a chemists, now a gift and curio store.
65-67 HIGH STREET - 15th century Christopher Inn, one of the largest in Ware.
From 1760 to 1964 it was part of Harradence's Department Store. Now a furniture store.
70 HIGH STREET - Built by public subscription in 1827 as a Cornmarket, on the site of an earlier market hall. It became a shop in the l840s and was restored in 1985. Presently an Estate Agents.
75 HIGH STREET - Midland Bank - Site of former White Hart Inn, dating from 1426 or earlier.
87 HIGH STREET - Now the Library, formerly the Crown Inn 1539, thought once to have housed the Great Bed of Ware.
84 HIGH STREET - Now a hardware shop -dates back to the early part of the 17th century and is thought to have been built by Henry VII for his mother Lady Margaret Beaufort, a Lady of the Manor. Once known as "Gilpin House" after John Gilpin's erratic ride to Ware. Contains early ornamental plaster ceilings to 2 rooms overlooking West Street.
No. 2 WEST STREET - When renovated, timbers were discovered that have been dated back to 1260 making it probably Hertfordshire's oldest town house.
5 WEST STREET - Tesco's - Formerly White Swan Inn, 19th Century.
FRENCH HORN COURT (CHURCH STREET)
- formerly 17th century inn with 19th century front, actors played here.
9 CHURCH STREET - The Manor House - thought to have been once part of the Benedictine Priory Ware.
40 CRIB STREET - Formerly the Red Cow public house.
23 BALDOCK STREET - Early 16th Century, formerly the Black Swan Inn - recorded as an inn 1654 and as a house in 1622, now offices and known as Baldock House.
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