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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, 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
Rebecca Seear has spent a lifetime immersed in carriage driving and horse-drawn transport within Britain’s most historic royal landscape. Raised in Windsor Great Park, she grew up surrounded by horses, heritage, and craftsmanship, gaining a deep understanding of both the working horse and the art of commercial carriage driving. Her father, John Seear, was a Windsor coachman for over 50 years, while her mother, Tissie Reason, played a key role in equestrian event organisation. Her grandfather, Frank Seear, and her father’s mentor, George Paget, who held a Hackney carriage license before the war, further shaped her expertise in heritage preservation and sustainable commercial carriage driving.
An Enduring Connection to Windsor Great Park
Growing up on a working equestrian livery yard in the park, Rebecca was immersed in Equestrianism and Windsor’s traditions. Sundays were spent at The Royal Chapel, where she curtsied for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and carriage drives often meant encounters with royalty. Today, she continues this legacy through Windsor Carriages, the sole licensee from The Victoria era, left to operate on The Long Walk.
Preserving Carriage History & Commercial Expertise
Rebecca blends historical knowledge with hands-on experience, working with museums, estates, and collectors to ensure commercial carriage driving remains relevant and viable.
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Carriage consultant – Advising on the preservation, restoration, and commercial operation of carriages.
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Speaker & educator – Sharing Windsor’s equestrian traditions and stories with schools, museums, history societies and visitors.
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With her in-depth knowledge of the estate, Rebecca curates exquisite, tailored routes based on each guest’s interests. Every detail is carefully considered, from estate access and terrain suitability to the horses, carriage selection, and weight limits, ensuring a seamless, safe and enjoyable experience.
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Carriage auction & valuation specialist – Managing historic carriages, harnesses, and equestrian collections.
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Traditional carriage rides – Hosting monthly heritage rides, celebrating Windsor’s long history of horse-drawn transport.
Windsor Carriages – Keeping Tradition Alive
In 2013, Rebecca returned home for “just one summer” to help her father’s business but fell in love with driving, storytelling, and crafting guest experiences. After his passing in 2016, she took on the responsibility of preserving Windsor’s horse-drawn heritage. Now operating year-round, Windsor Carriages offers private estate tours, historic storytelling, and VIP experiences, creating unparalleled moments in Windsor Great Park. With a dedicated team—including coachmen and grooms who have worked with her family for over 40 years—Rebecca ensures every carriage experience reflects Windsor’s heritage, elegance, and authenticity.
For speaking engagements, historical consultancy, or to experience Windsor Carriages firsthand, get in touch.
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 film and tv 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.
