Discovering Horse-Drawn Carriages (Shire Discovering)

There is more than a touch of romance about a coach and horses, whether it be the splendid state coach in a royal procession drawn by a team of ornately harnessed greys, or the mail-coach clattering over the cobbles of an inn's courtyard, pausing to replace its steaming horses with a fresh team. In the eighteenth century regular stage-coaches linked London with principal towns. Railways took over long-distance traffic in the nineteenth century, but horse-drawn vehicles continued to serve as cabs, station wagons, omnibuses and private conveyances until displaced by motor vehicles. Many can now be found in museums, but a considerable number of privately driven carriages are still in use, and the sport of driving is undergoing a revival. This book traces the evolution of horse-drawn passenger vehicles, tells how they were made and driven, and describes the types of carriage most popular in Britain and some foreign designs. It is a valuable guide for the enthusiast, and a fascinating introduction for the person who may not know a landau from a barouche.