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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 (horse drawn 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, he could never have imagined he would one day play a vital role in preserving Windsor’s living history. Working with Windsor coachman, George Paget, who himself had learned the craft from a Victorian coachman, John drove 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, Tradition & Authenticity We are custodians of Windsor's commercial driving traditions, 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.
