A Windsor Coachman
John Seear
A Life Among Horses and Carriages
Horseman
Horseman. Coachman. Husband, father and grandfather.
For more than fifty years, John Seear worked with horses in Windsor, driving licensed Hackney carriages and horse-drawn delivery vans at a time when much of Britain's working carriage trade had disappeared.
To visitors, he was often simply the Windsor Coachman. Within the equestrian community, he was known for his horsemanship, practical knowledge and lifelong contribution to carriage driving.
He was also a storyteller, preserving memories and working traditions passed between generations of Windsor coachmen.
Farming & Horses
John's passion for horses began in childhood.
Educated at Oundle School and Harper Adams Agricultural College, his interests lay in farming, horses and the working countryside.
At the age of ten, a carriage journey from Windsor Castle introduced him to coachman George Paget. Their friendship would shape the course of his life.
When George retired in the 1970s, John succeeded him in Windsor's Hackney carriage trade, taking on his Landau and licence.
Pictured at Taplow Horse Show.
Equestrian Events
John's contribution extended well beyond the carriage rank.
A longstanding member of Windsor Park Equestrian Club, he helped organise equestrian events and build carriage-driving obstacles, contributing to the sporting life of Windsor's estate.
Together with Felicity “Tissie” Reason, he also ran a respected local livery yard.
His dedication was recognised with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to equestrian events, including Smith's Lawn Horse Trials and the Windsor Three Day Event.
Pictured receiving his lifetime achievement award from Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO CBE
A Legacy
For me, he was simply Dad.
My childhood was spent among horses, harnesses and carriage barns, listening to stories and learning lessons that were never written down.
He taught me that preserving a tradition requires more than remembering the past. It requires the willingness to adapt and the determination to carry on.
When he died in May 2016, I found myself unexpectedly continuing the work that had shaped his life.
Much has changed since his days on the carriage rank. Yet the responsibility remains: caring for our horses, preserving the knowledge of Windsor's coachmen and ensuring this remarkable trade has a future.
Memories & Stories
Did you know John or another Windsor coachman?
We are gathering photographs, memories and stories of the people who worked in Windsor's horse-drawn carriage trade.
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