Having grown up as a small Roman settlement where Ermine Street crossed the River Lea, Ware came into its own in the Middle Ages as an important stopping place on the Old North Road to and from London. The booming inn trade was boosted by the Great Bed of Ware, mentioned by Shakespeare among others. This was replaced by a major new industry - the making of malt for the brewing industry - particularly brown malt that was used to make porter. The modern town still boasts a wealth of old buildings as well as the charming riverside gazebos which have recently been restored.

The book contains over 90 period pictures which have been sourced from Ware Museum's image archive. The contrasting modern colour images provide an accessible and interesting way of seeing the many changes that have taken place in this attractive and historic town over decades of evolution, expansion and re-development.