And now, hey presto, it’s the 11th “Ware Summer Saunter”, our friendly annual campaigning stroll around some of the best real ale town and community pubs in Ware. Many of them offer well-kept seasonal or guest beers and there are some obtained especially for the event. Come and join us and bring a friend or two – all are welcome. Our itinerary is as follows:
- 1.00pm – Maltings, Watton Road
- 1.45pm – Old Bull`s Head, Baldock Street (F)
- 2.30pm – Brewery Tap, High Street (F,C)
- 3.30pm – Waterside Inn, Bridgefoot (F)
- 4.15pm – Punch House, West Street (F,C)
- 5.00pm – High Oak, High Oak Road
- 5.45pm – Crooked Billet, Musley Hill (C)
Those marked “F” offer food – but check times; those marked “C” offer real cider.
Local brewer McMullen’s are celebrating their 190th year in 2017 so why not raise a glass in one of their town-centre pubs – the Spread Eagle in Amwell End, Victoria in Star Street or Saracen’s Head on the River Lea.
Ware is an historic town worth exploring on foot. It was once dubbed the maltings capital of Europe. Though malting and brewing have sadly ceased in the town, the activity has left its mark with many old malting buildings and a brewery still standing. All along the south side of Ware’s busy and picturesque High Street you will find many a former coaching inn. And then there’s the famous gazebos to be seen on the River Lea, the surprising Bluecoat Yard and Ware’s interesting town museum. So, maybe make a day of it, with a stroll around town before meeting up at 1pm.
And early drinkers/eaters might fancy a visit to The King’s Mead, the new destination-style pub opened by McMullens in April, at Chadwell Spring, overlooking the Lea Valley. It’s a ten-minute walk from Ware Railway Station up along Hertford Road and on leaving the pub a 15-minute walk, via footpath, across the Meads, over the railway line and across Ware lock to join up with the Saunter.
Ware Railway Station has direct links to Hertford East Station and to Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford, Harlow and Liverpool Street via Broxbourne. The 724 Green Line bus connects Ware to Hertford, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, St.Albans and Watford in the west and Harlow in the east. The 310 bus travels north along the Lea Valley from Waltham Cross, Cheshunt, Hoddesdon, St.Margaret’s, through Ware and on to Hertford.
