Windsor Heritage & History
A Windsor Legacy
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.
The Victorian Era 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.
Our Story When young John Seear took his first taxi ride in 1949, little did he know he would become crucial to preserving Windsor's living history. Learning from George Paget, one of Windsor's last traditional coachmen, John inherited the hackney licenses in 1974. 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.
Living History 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. In 2022, we achieved official heritage status, with our story now permanently displayed at the Windsor and Eton Museum.
Bespoke Experiences
We pride ourselves on creating memorable Windsor experiences, including:
- Private castle tours with expert Blue Badge guides
- Exclusive access to the Windsor estate
- Fine dining arrangements at Windsor's finest restaurants
- Tailored multi-day itineraries and special occasion celebrations
History, Heritage & 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 followed in the equestrian footsteps of her father, renowned Windsor Coachman John Seear, and her mother, distinguished equestrian event organiser Tissie Reason. With her grandfather's stable yard close by, Rebecca grew up learning the art of carriage driving from both her father and grandfather.
After years working abroad, Rebecca returned home in 2014 to help with her father's business. What began as a temporary return evolved into a calling to preserve this crucial piece of British heritage. Her deep commitment to horse welfare and passion for maintaining the highest standards of traditional carriage driving has shaped every aspect of the business. Today, she leads our team in sharing Windsor's rich carriage heritage and her love of Windsor Great Park, through carefully curated experiences and our schools program. To help inspire the next generation, children travel complimentary when accompanied by paying adults on our scheduled seasonal heritage rides.
Working alongside talented coachmen like Jonathan Edwards and his family, Rebecca ensures this living history continues to thrive. Our heritage status, awarded in 2022, reflects our commitment to preserving Windsor's traditions for future generations.
About Jonathan Edwards
Coming Soon.....
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.
