town (parish), East Hertfordshire district, administrative and historic county of Hertfordshire, England. The parish is situated on the northern periphery of the metropolitan area of Greater London. In ancient times it was probably the site of a fishing weir on the River Lea; later it became an important malting centre. A priory was founded there in the 14th century. In modern times Ware has attracted light industry, including pharmaceutical and plastics manufacture. Pop. (2001) 17,193.