Windsor Heritage & History
The History of Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriages
Our story in Windsors heritage and history begins in 1649, when Oliver Cromwell's Act of Parliament first introduced licensed hackney carriages (taxis) to London's streets. By 1687, Windsor had established its own taxi stand, marking the town's early embrace of this vital form of transport.
Victorian Carriages
The Windsor Castle Act of 1848 reshaped the town's landscape, closing ancient roads and establishing new thoroughfares like Victoria and Albert Bridges. Crucially, it restricted general vehicular access to The Long Walk in Windsor but made a special exception for licensed taxis - a privilege we still hold today. While other towns transitioned to motor vehicles in the early 20th century, our Windsor licenses were never converted to a car, thus preserving our unique connection to this historic tradition and access to our royal town.
Traditional Coachmen
When young John Seear took his first Windsor taxi ride in 1949, little did he know he would become crucial to preserving Windsor's living history. Learning the trade from George Paget, one of Windsor's last traditional coachmen, John drove the carriages on The Long Walk from 1974 to 2016. Today, his daughter Rebecca carries this legacy forward, working closely with Head Coachman Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan's horses and family are central to daily operations, supplemented by trusted coachmen and their horses from across Britain for large group and event bookings. Together, they ensure this unique historical tradition continues to thrive.
Windsor Carriage Driving Tradition
The journeys we curate as part of your visit still follow the same routes established in Victorian times, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into Windsor's past. Our stories are passed down coachman to coachman over five generations and we hope to return Windsors Victorian Landau carriage to the town in future years.
Horse Drawn Carriage Innovation
Awarded official heritage status in 2022, we honour Windsor's traditions while embracing the future through:
- Authentic experiences
- Educational programs for local schools
- Preservation of traditional skills
- A permanent exhibition at the Royal Borough and Windsor Museum
Our Commitment
At the heart of everything we do is:
- The welfare of our horses
- Support for local Windsor businesses
- Preservation of traditional skills
- Creating lasting memories for our guests
Our Values
Heritage, History & Authenticity We are custodians of Windsor's commercial driving tradition, preserving historical practices while ensuring every journey remains genuine and true to our roots.
Horse Welfare Our horses aren't just part of our team - they're family. Their wellbeing guides every decision we make, reflecting our belief that exceptional experiences start with exceptional care.
Community Spirit As one of Windsor's oldest attractions, we're proud to support our community through:
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Partnerships with local independent businesses
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Support for Windsor charities
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Educational programs for local schools
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Preserving traditional crafts and skills
Service Excellence Every journey is an opportunity to create lasting memories. We combine historical authenticity with thoughtful attention to detail, ensuring each guest experiences the magic of Windsor's heritage and history.
About Rebecca Seear
Raised in Windsor Great Park, Rebecca grew up surrounded by the traditions of carriage driving and the regal history of the estate. Her father, renowned Windsor Coachman John Seear, her mother, equestrian event organiser Tissie Reason, and her grandfather and great uncle George Paget, who held a Hackney carriage license since before the war, all played a role in nurturing her love for the craft.
Life in the park came with extraordinary experiences that felt ordinary at the time. A Queen attended school prize-givings, a Princess handed out rosettes at local horse events, and a Duke was the only other carriage driver they met in the park. Sundays were spent at morning service in The Royal Chapel, where Rebecca learned to perfect her curtsy for when Her Majesty attended. These moments, woven into the fabric of her childhood, shaped her deep connection to Windsor’s traditions.
In 2013, Rebecca returned home for what she thought would be “just one summer” to help her father and care for their horses. But something unexpected happened—she fell in love with driving the carriages, sharing in guests' moments and stories, and recounting the tales of Windsor Great Park. Hearing guests reminisce about their magical rides with her father from decades earlier inspired her to reimagine the business and share its legacy with a wider audience.
Rebecca transformed Windsor Carriages into a collection of bespoke experiences that prioritize horse welfare and highlight the park’s rich heritage. After her father’s passing in 2016, she felt his presence on every drive, his stories echoing as she shared them with guests. In 2024, after a decade of balancing her corporate career and funding the business, Rebecca committed to Windsor Carriages full-time.
Today, Windsor Carriages operates year-round thanks to covered carriages funded by a grant, and its heritage status and inclusion in Windsor’s prestigious museum underscore its historical significance. Rebecca and her dedicated team—including Crispin Mould and Rebecca Marshall, affectionately known as 'the other Rebecca,' who both began working for her father over 30 years ago, and employing traditional coachmen to keep this heritage alive—continue to share this living history with visitors from around the world.
Through carefully curated experiences and a schools program, Rebecca ensures that Windsor Carriages inspires and educates future generations. Her passion for tradition, storytelling, and innovation keeps this cherished heritage alive for all to enjoy.
About Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards brings a rich legacy of carriage driving to Windsor Carriages, continuing a family tradition that spans three generations. With both his father and grandfather serving as accomplished commercial coachmen, Jonathan grew up immersed in the art of carriage driving, honing his skills and passion for this time-honored craft.
When he’s not expertly guiding carriages at Windsor, Jonathan works across the UK and internationally, lending his expertise to the entertainment 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.
The Edwards legacy shows no signs of slowing down, as Jonathan’s daughters enthusiastically embrace the family tradition. Together with their miniature pony, Bailey, they compete and drive for pleasure, embodying the future of Windsor Carriages. You can follow their journey on Instagram at @thecoachmansdaughters, where their passion for carriage driving and equestrian life comes to life.
Jonathan’s dedication to his craft, heritage, and family ensures that each Windsor Carriages experience is infused with authenticity, charm, and a deep respect for this cherished tradition.
HERITAGE
CARRIAGE
RIDES
In honour of our special place in Windsor's heritage, we continue to offer scheduled carriage rides on select dates throughout the year.
Simply reserve your spot in advance for this fixed-duration traditional ride—a perfect way to add a touch of Windsor's magic to your visit.
