For over 170 years, Windsor Carriages has been a cherished symbol of Windsor’s heritage, offering Victorian-style horse-drawn transport on The Long Walk, through Windsor town, and across the royal estate. Preserving this tradition has been no small feat, especially in an era where horse-drawn transport has largely been replaced by modern vehicles. To adapt, we have focused on bespoke events and curated day visits, where a carriage ride becomes an integral part of an exclusive experience.
One of the greatest challenges in operating a Victorian-style carriage service today is finding the skilled and willing professionals needed to keep this craft alive. Carriage driving is not something taught in schools, and commercial coachmanship is a rare and ever-declining skill. For many decades, sourcing true experts in the field was a struggle to find a Windsor Coachman.
In this month’s blog, we are delighted to introduce one of our esteemed carriage drivers, Windsor coachman, Jonathan Edwards. A key part of every Windsor Carriages experience is meeting our professional coachmen—and for some, even receiving expert tuition and the opportunity to take the reins themselves. With an impressive background that includes working on renowned productions like Bridgerton, Sherlock, and Peaky Blinders, his expertise and passion for carriage driving shine through in every journey.
Step into the world of traditional carriage driving as we ask Jonathan your top 10 questions!
How did you become a coachman, and what inspired you to pursue this career?
"I grew up with carriage driving—it’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started driving when I was about seven or eight, taught by my dad. In my family, carriage driving goes back hundreds of years. My father drove, my grandfather drove, my great-grandfather drove—it’s a long tradition. In fact, my great-grandfather was the last market trader at Spitalfields Market in London to use a horse-drawn trolley, bringing in fresh produce, fruit, and vegetables."
What does a typical day look like for you as a coachman?
''It depends really, on the weather, what sort of day I'm going to get. I could be driving up in London on a funeral or on a set like on Bridgerton where they still use horses and carriages for filming. Driving at Windsor starts early, preparing the carriages and horses, driving into town, then getting everything ready. No two days are the same."
What skills are essential for successfully driving a horse-drawn carriage?
"Knowing your horses and their reactions, being confident and aware of your surroundings."
4. How do you communicate with the horses while driving the carriage?
"I talk to the horses, they know and trust my voice."
What are some lesser-known facts about driving a horse-drawn carriage that guests might find interesting?
'That railway lines and tram tracks are spaced the same distance apart as carriage wheels, shows just how important horse-drawn carriages were in shaping our transport history."
(The standard gauge for railways—4 feet 8.5 inches—traces back to the width of traditional carriage axles, showing how early roads and wheel ruts influenced the development of modern infrastructure.)
How do you manage the different temperaments and behaviours of the horses during a ride?
"The horses are all different and you read them, how they like to work and if anything needs to change in their harness or set up to keep them comfortable and happy. Its important they enjoy working and are comfortable in their work and surroundings."
Can you tell us about any historical figures or notable individuals who have ridden in your carriages?
Meeting Sarah, Duchess of York in 2024 "Last year, we met Sarah, Duchess of York at the Flower Show in the park. We took a carriage down for the public to experience. It felt like Sarah made a beeline for the carriage and took time to meet each of us—really lovely lady, we were all a bit blown away and speechless. Oh, and meeting Crocodile Dundee’s granddaughter, one year, was a bit different."
(*Mylee Hogan is better known in Australia as the lead anchor on Channel 7 News. She visited us in 2022 for a piece to camera on His Majesty The King’s Coronation.)
Watch Mylee Hogan’s visit on Channel 7 Australia now on YouTube HERE
What do you enjoy most about being a coachman?
"I enjoy being outside and working with the horses."
Are there any particular routes or destinations you prefer, and why?
"As long as the sun is shining, anywhere is a good place driving horses, a-bit of warmth on your face and back is just lovely."
What expert advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a commercial coachman?
"Be brave and take your time. Don't take one persons knowledge for granted, take a lot of peoples advice and get knowledge of carriage driving from different people and then put it all together and you will have the start of good knowledge."
Thank you Jonathan!
Jonathan lives just outside Windsor with his wife, Shelby, their three daughters, Bonnie, Truly, and Rosalie and their family owned and beloved horses. All of Jonathan’s daughters are keen carriage drivers, already competing in local driving events and taking part in prestigious parades, including the annual London Harness Parade, where they were featured in the UK press. pictured.
You can follow their journey as the daughters of a Windsor coachman on social media at @thecoachmansdaughters on instagram here.
