Famous beds: Great Bed of Ware
The artist's bed
Who knew that a bed can be poetic? It can be when you're talking about William Morris' bed.
Final resting place
The bed which was the venue for the end of one the greatest Briton's lives: Queen Victoria's bed.
Sleep
Are you having trouble sleeping? Have yourself a good night's sleep by following our doctor's tips.
One of the most famous sleeping places in British History.
The Great Bed of Ware is a giant four-poster measuring 11 feet wide, 10 feet long and 9 feet high.
Now based at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, it dates back to the late 16th Century and the town of Ware in Hertfordshire. Experts believe the bed was commissioned by a wily inn-keeper in Ware wanting to attract more business.
Since its origins in 16th Century Ware, the bed has featured in many examples of famous literature (Shakespeare, Jonson, Farqhuar, Byron), been the subject of wild exploits (26 butchers and their wives once spent a night in the bed for a bet) and even exhibited at an early amusement park.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Great Bed of Ware is one of the objects on display in the British Galleries.
Take it further
Everything that's gone before. That's an enormous subject to explore. We've got some starting points for your journey on our take history further page.
Content last updated: 16/07/2008
