From Humble Beginnings to Bespoke Windsor Experiences
Over the past few years, our services have grown from humble beginnings to help guests achieve a memorable and seamless visit to our royal town of Windsor. This evolution is deeply rooted in our family's history and our love for this historic place.
Rebecca Seear shares, 'Growing up, I spent countless hours sitting on my dad's carriage in the town - one of only two remaining from the Victorian horse drawn taxi business of the last century. Both my father and I became unofficial ambassadors for Windsor, always ready to point tourists to the nearest restroom or recommend a great place to eat. Little did we know that these simple acts would lay the foundation for what the business would become.'
The Evolution of Windsor Carriages
Our journey took an unexpected turn when the Victorian taxi rank where our carriages once waited for walk-up rides closed over a decade ago. This change pushed us to evolve to keep the tradition continuing. We began helping each guest find us at our new location which would change depending on guard changes and town events, assisting with parking, and answering any and all questions about their visit. Over the years, this has grown into creating full-day experiences for corporate groups and individuals seeking an immersive, personal day to remember. It also means we do the heavy lifting with the help of the internet and our partners and the horses have a starring role with very little waiting around.
A decade of nurturing relationships with local attractions has given us a strong network of partners to work with as your Windsor hosts. We can call on wonderful Windsor experts such as Amanda at Windsor Tour Guides Limited or Wild Cat Willie at The Windsor and Eton Brewery to create spectacular experiences for our guests. Without realising it, we became experts in the destination we call home.
In this month's blog, we'd like to share one such experience we recently created. Our guests, Rachel and her family, from Texas, were kind enough to allow us to share their story, offering a glimpse into how we craft the perfect Windsor visit.
Crafting the Perfect Windsor Experience: Meet Rebecca, Your Windsor Host.
The Art of Personalisation:
Every great Windsor experience begins with understanding our guests.
1. Initial Consultation:
Rachel reached out to us two months before her planned visit. Our specialist, Rebecca, promptly scheduled a video call to discuss Rachel's wishes, preferences, and vision for their day in Windsor.
2. Windsor Bespoke Experience:
Based on Rachel's interests, we curated a day that included:
- A guided tour of Windsor Castle
- Lunch at a carefully selected local pub
- A visit to the Windsor & Eton Brewery
- Our signature horse-drawn carriage ride through Windsor Great Park
- An evening attendance at St. George's Chapel for Evensong
3. Attention to Detail:
Knowing Rachel's family were animal enthusiasts, we made sure to pack binoculars for deer spotting during the carriage ride. We also selected English sparkling wine for refreshments, adding a touch of local luxury to their experience.
4. Seamless Execution:
On the day of their visit, we arranged private car transfers from London, ensuring a stress-free journey. Rebecca personally met the family to welcome them to Windsor and guide them between activities, even taking a moment to show Rachel her childhood home in town.
The Result: A Perfect Windsor Visit
In Rachel's own words: "Our day in Windsor was a fairytale! From the moment the car picked us up in London, everything went smoothly and was enjoyable."
What Sets Us Apart:
1. Unparalleled Local Knowledge: Our deep connections with local attractions and intimate knowledge of Windsor allow us to create truly immersive experiences.
2. Flexibility and Responsiveness: We're always ready to adjust plans or provide personal assistance, as demonstrated when Rebecca personally guided Rachel's family to their lunch spot.
3. Attention to Personal Details: We remember and incorporate the small details that make each visit special, like Rachel's childhood connection to Windsor.
4. Seamless Integration of Experiences: From castle tours to carriage rides, we ensure each element of the day flows smoothly into the next.
Rachels Testimonial
1. How did you find the booking process for our services?
'Booking was easy! I sent a query online and Rebecca reached out promptly.'
2. Were our communication and customer service satisfactory during the planning stages?
'Rebecca booked a video call where we talked through my plans, likes, dislikes, desires and wishes for how I wanted to spend our time in Windsor. She was so knowledgeable of the town and all the activities, restaurants, tours and such that would complement our plans. She was very intentional in understanding exactly what would make our visit perfect and tailored every detail to my responses.'
3. How would you describe the quality and condition of the carriage and horses on the day of your event?
'The carriage was wonderful, and our horse was such a good boy! Our driver was at ease and had a great rapport with his horse, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable ride.'
4. Did our team meet your expectations on the day itself? How was your overall experience with the staff?
'Our day in Windsor was a fairytale! From the moment the car picked us up in London, everything went smoothly and was enjoyable. We toured the castle, and then Rebecca met us to walk/guide us to the pub I had chosen for lunch…and even took the time to walk me past my old childhood home that I had mentioned to her in our planning call! She knew where all the best pubs/restaurants were….which shops I would enjoy, and told wonderful stories and facts about various buildings/landmarks we passed. Then we took the carriage into Windsor Great Park and enjoyed sparkling wine while viewing the red stag and enjoying the views of the castle. We even stopped for some great photo ops!'
5. Were there any specific moments or aspects of the service that stood out to you?
'I was a little hesitant about using a map to walk to one of our itinerary stops, and Rebecca put all my worries to rest by showing up in person and walking us there! She was so friendly and helpful…people even assumed she was part of our family when she was taking photos for us and offered to let her jump in the photo with us…!'
6. Would you recommend our services to others? If so, why?
'Absolutely. Customer service is top-notch and the experience was truly unforgettable.'
Thank you Rachel and family entrusting us with your visit.
Whether you're planning your first visit to Windsor, celebrating a special occasion, or organizing a corporate event, we're here to elevate your Windsor experience. Let us craft an unforgettable journey through our royal town, tailored perfectly to you.
Our shorter heritage carriage rides, unchanged for over 70 years, continue on select days booked via The Windsor Box Office and offer the perfect sampler of our day itineraries. If you are curious to meet the team and see what a horse drawn carriage experience is like, this is a great place to start.