Jonathan Edwards
Windsor's Head Coachman | Jonathan Edwards
A Family Legacy & Passion
Jonathan Edwards brings a rich legacy of carriage driving to Windsor Carriages, continuing a family tradition that spans many generations. With both his father and grandfather serving as accomplished coachmen, Jonathan grew up immersed in the art of carriage driving, honing his skills and passion for this time-honoured craft.
When he’s not expertly guiding carriages at Windsor, Jonathan works across the UK and internationally, lending his expertise to the film and TV industry. His impressive portfolio includes driving carriages on the sets of celebrated productions like Bridgerton, Sherlock, Peaky Blinders, and other iconic English classics, showcasing his talent and commitment to preserving the beauty of traditional carriage driving.
Click here to watch an interview with Jonathan on Good Morning Australia.
Driving with a Purpose
An Interview with Jonathan, by Sarah Radford, for Royal Windsor Horse Show 2025
Featured in the Official Programme
Many of the driving competitors at the Royal Windsor Horse Show don’t just focus on competition. They also drive week to week for work or pleasure. Sarah Radford finds out more about them.
“Jonathan Edwards is one driver who will be taking part in both the BDS Drive, Private Driving, and the trade classes at the Show. He has the privilege of enjoying particularly broad aspects of the discipline. As well as producing his own horses for the show ring, and ponies for his three young daughters to drive, Jonathan works as a professional coachman, taking tourists round Windsor Great Park for Windsor Carriages – the last remaining horse-drawn hackney cab licence-holder in the town. Around this, he also drives his carriages on film and TV sets and at weddings and funerals.
A Family Tradition, Shared Internationally
“There’s not many people who still earn a living this way and you have to take on a variety of jobs,” says Jonathan. “I am always driving. I might take the family out for a pleasure drive and cover six or seven miles. It’s one of my passions, it’s just a release when you drive, you don’t think about anything other than the horse.”
Despite frequent trips through the park with tourists in the summer, Jonathan finds that being at Windsor is an experience he never tires of.
“Every day is lovely, it is lovely to even think that I work at Windsor and to compete there is even better,” he says. “On the BDS drive, you get to go round the Royal Grounds, which is a side of the park you can only access once a year on the drive.”
For Jonathan, driving is in his blood, as the skill has been handed down the generations – his grandparents were the last traders still to use a horse and cart in Spitalfields market."
Filming
Blink and you might miss him—whether in disguise as a Hollywood star or portraying a Victorian coachman, (pictured!) Jonathan Edwards has become a familiar face on both the big and small screen. As a professional coachman, he has worked across major international productions and beloved UK dramas alike.
His credits include Enola Holmes, The Little Mermaid, and Bridgerton—perhaps his most recognisable appearances to date.
A particular favourite is the Netflix series The Gentleman, directed by Guy Ritchie, which featured Jonathan’s horse Joey. Known fondly as “Windsor Joey,” he is a true star of both screen and stable, and one you may well meet during your own visit with Windsor Carriages.
For The Next Generation
The Edwards legacy is already being carried forward by Jonathan’s three daughters—Bonnie (8), Truly (6), and Rosalie (3). From an early age, they have shown a natural affinity for carriage driving, combining both pleasure drives and competitive appearances with remarkable success.
All three girls have already enjoyed wins in the show ring, impressing judges and delighting spectators with their confidence and skill. So much so, that there are few occasions at Windsor Castle when their achievements don’t receive a proud mention with our guests.
Their miniature pony, Bailey, is both their partner and playmate, helping to nurture their growing experience in the discipline. Follow them on social media @thecoachmansdaughters
Together, Bonnie, Truly, and Rosalie embody the future of Windsor Carriages: a new generation already making their mark.
