About Us
Ridesmiths is a high-quality passenger car company, supplying a service with exceptional attention to detail in south west London.
The company was founded by a team with combined local industry experience of over 80 years. Ridesmiths is determined and dedicated to offering outstanding levels of customer service and exceeding the expectations of passengers.
Each and every passengers is a valued client, not just another anonymous job number.
We are incredibly pleased with the extraordinary level of local support that Ridesmiths has received so far, which has enabled us to establish an extensive fleet of saloon cars, executive cars and people carriers.
Who uses Ridesmiths?
All Ridesmiths' passengers are as individual as their journeys but what they do share is an appreciation of punctual, reliable and courteous service. We can set up accounts for both business and private clients who wish to pay by invoice. Please contact us for details.
Our clients use us to get to airports, rail stations, offices, restaurants and sports and cultural venues, both within and outside London. We are always ready to pick up, deliver and collect and our drivers expect to help with luggage and packages.
We can help and advise on issues like the likelihood of travel disruption and likely journey times. Please tell us also if you have special requirements or needs.
New Accounts?
You and Ridesmiths
To make your journey as effortless as possible our team will advise on potential disruptions and estimated journey times and do our utmost to accommodate any specific requirements passengers may have. Our drivers are always ready to collect and deliver passengers to locations within and outside London and expect to assist with luggage.
Ridesmiths is committed to delivering a timely, dependable and secure service; therefore all drivers are PCO/ LTPH registered and CRB checked. Every driver is personally vetted and has demonstrated that they share our ethos and in addition to their excellent driving are approachable and obliging.
We offer a range of excellent vehicles to suit the needs of all passengers, from eco-friendly saloons to executive people carriers which are all available 24 hours a day including bank holidays and weekends.
We are keen to continuously develop the service we offer and welcome all feedback passengers may have.
To guarantee the type of vehicle you wish to request, we encourage passengers to book as early as possible.
Typically a Toyota Hybrid with space for 1-3 passengers with up to 2 large cases. The vehicle specification is likely to include tinted windows and climate control.
Typically, a Ford Galaxy with space for 1-6 passengers and up to 3 large cases. The vehicle specification is likely to include tinted windows and climate control.
Typically, a Mercedes E Class, with space for 1-3 passengers and 2 large cases. Complimentary bottled water will be provided and the vehicle specification will include leather upholstery and tinted windows.
Typically a Mercedes Viano, with space for 1-6 passengers and up to 6 large cases. Our executive MPVs provide the facility to charge laptops and peripheral devices. Complimentary bottled water will be available and the vehicle specification will include leather upholstery, tinted windows and climate control.
Due to demand and availability we cannot always guarantee to supply the type of vehicle you request. Please help us by booking as early as you possibly can.
Please contact us on +44 (0)20 8891 6464 or email bookings@ridesmiths.com for further details.
Testimonials
"Reliability is incredibly important to me and the Ridesmiths' team have never let me down. The drivers are professional and friendly and as a woman I appreciate they are always on time and wait for me - regardless of my sometimes unavoidable delays.
The back office team are excellent too and accommodate our occasional last minute requests. All in all a first class outfit."
- Alison Platt
Group CEO, Countrywide PLC
"Ridesmiths offer an excellent, reliable and no-fuss service. For airport transfers they are the tops. I have never been let down. Great firm, great service."
- Simon Osborne
CEO, ICSA: The Governance Institute
"The Ridesmiths drivers are a great team of people. After a long haul flight its great to be met at the airport by a friendly face."
- Graham Wessel
Managing Director, ThisCity Agency
"Best taxi company I've ever used. The drivers are professional and friendly. Always have good, clean cars and are on time 95%+ of the time.
They also text or call to let you know they have arrived, or where they're waiting.
If you use Ridesmiths, you will get the best possible service."
- John Veale
Media
Contact
You can contact us by telephone, email or via Book online to make a booking. Alternatively fill in the form below and we will be happy to respond to your enquiry.
Head Office
E bookings@ridesmiths.com
T +44 (0)20 8891 6464
Access Business Center
30 Rugby Road
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW1 1DG
FAQ
General
Can I request a particular driver?
You certainly can. Just give us a call on 020 8891 6464 or email us at bookings@ridesmiths.com with the driver's details and we will ensure there is a note on your file.
I’ve left something in one of your vehicles. How do I get it back?
If you think you may have left an item in one of our vehicles, contact us on 020 8891 6464 or email us at bookings@ridesmiths.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Bookings
Just call us on 020 8891 6464, or alternatively email the details of your journey to bookings@ridesmiths.com. We will contact you to confirm your booking
Simply give us a call on 020 8891 6464 or send us the details of the changes to bookings@ridesmiths.com. We will contact you to confirm the changes made.
Call us on 020 8891 6464 or email us with your booking details and request to cancel. Please do this as soon as you can.
Charges may apply, please read our terms and conditions.
Can I have multiple pick-ups/ drop-offs on my journey?
If you require more than one pick up or drop off on your journey simply let us know when making your booking. If you have already made the booking and would like to add additional pick-ups /drop-offs call us on 020 8891 6464 or email us at bookings@ridesmiths.com with the details. You will receive confirmation of the changes.
Accounts
Your invoice can be paid using a Credit/Debit Card or BACs payment. Please contact accounts@ridesmiths.com to change your account payment method.
How do I update my address details?
Simply get in contact with us on 020 8891 6464
How do I change the details on my invoice?
Email us at bookings@ridesmiths.com and someone from our admin team will be on hand to support any requirements you have for your account. Alternatively, call 0208 891 6464 to discuss.
Policies
What is your waiting time policy?
We allow you nine minutes of free waiting time. Once 10 minutes has elapsed, we charge for a full 10 minutes. For further information on our waiting time please see our full terms and conditions.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you do have to cancel or amend the time of a booking, please give as much notice as possible to make the changes. Once a vehicle is dispatched to collect a passenger a cancellation fee may apply. Every instance is judged on an individual basis due to timing, geography and the type of vehicle booked. We do encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience in order to avoid any possible cancellation fees.
Do you charge extra on bank holidays or at Christmas?
Although we do not charge extra on bank holidays generally, we do reserve the right to charge extra for journeys made during the Christmas period. We’ll inform you of this when the booking is being made. Please read our terms and conditions.
Why do you charge for car parking?
If and when a driver has to park the vehicle in a pay and display car park, they will pay the full parking charges. As all our drivers are self-employed we then need to claim back charges from the client.
How are Ridesmiths’ drivers licensed?
All drivers must apply and be approved for a PCO licence through TFL. They must also complete a medical and a CRB check before receiving their licence.
Our Services
Can I carry animals in one of your vehicles?
We are happy to take animals, but they need to be appropriately secured in a carrier. Please let us know when you book.
Why is there a price increase when 5-6 passengers are travelling?
As a larger vehicle is required if 5-6 passengers are travelling there is an increase in price.
Do your vehicles have child seats, or can you supply them on request?
The legal position in a licensed taxi or minicab is this:
- Children under 3 years of age can travel without a child’s car seat or seat belt, but only on the back seat
- Children aged 3 years or older can travel without a child’s car seat if they wear an adult seat belt
- Please see www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat
We do have a limited selection of child seats available from the office but we prefer for you to use your own child's safety seat; one that they are familiar with and comfortable in on a journey.
If using your own child seat we offer a service that takes your seat back to our office after the outbound journey. It is stored securely there and on your return we'll bring it to meet you for the return journey. There is a charge for this service. Please enquire at the time of booking as to the charge as different destinations carry different costs.
Can I be collected from a public event?
Yes, although during large sporting or cultural events, there may be some road closures or special traffic measures. If this is the case we will call you to organise an alternate meeting point.
We typically return passengers to the areas below;
WC1 - Central London/West End
WC2 - Strand/Aldwych
W1 - Soho, Marlybone, Mayfair, Piccadilly and Fitzrovia
W2 - Paddington, Bayswater, Hyde Park, Westbourne Green, Little Venice and Notting Hill
W3 - Acton, West Acton, North Acton, South Acton, East Acton and Gunnersbury Park
W4 - Chiswick, Gunnersbury, Turnham Green, Acton Town and Bedford Park
W5 - Ealing, South Ealing, Ealing Common, North Ealing, Northfields, (south and east), Pitshanger and Hanger Lane
W6 - Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook
W7 - Hanwell and Boston Manor
W8 - Kensington and Holland Park
W9 - Maida Hill, Maida Vale and Little Venice
W10 - North Kensington, Ladbroke Grove, Kensal Green and Queens Park
W11 - Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park
W12 - Shepherds Bush and White City
W13 - West Ealing and Northfields
W14 - West Kensington, Barons Court, Kensington Olympia and Holland Park
SW1 - Whitehall, Victoria, Pimlico, Westminster, Belgravia and St James
SW2 - Brixton Central and Clapham Park
SW3 - Chelsea, Brompton and Knightsbridge
SW4 - Clapham, Clapham Common and Clapham Old Town
SW5 - Earls Court
SW6 - Fulham and Parsons Green
SW7 - South Kensington and Knightsbridge
SW8 - South Lambeth, Vauxhall, Battersea, Wandsworth Road and Clapham
SW9 - Oval, Stockwell and Clapham North
SW10 - West Brompton and Chelsea
SW11 - Battersea, Clapham South and Clapham Junction
SW12 - Balham, Clapham South and Hyde Farm
SW13 - Barnes Village and Barnes Bridge
SW14 - Mortlake and East Sheen
SW15 - Kingston Vale, Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Vale, Richmond Park, Roehampton and Roehampton Vale
SW17 - Tooting
SW18 - Wandsworth Town, Southfields and Earlsfield
SW19 - Wimbledon and Southfields
SW20 - Raynes park and Wimbledon Chase
TW1 - Twickenham, St. Margarets and Strawberry Hill (east)
TW2 - Twickenham, Whitton, Strawberry Hill (west) and Fulwell
TW3 - Hounslow, Lampton and Whitton (north)
TW4 - Hounslow West, Hounslow Heath and Whitton
TW5 - Heston, Cranford (north) and Osterley
TW6 - Heathrow Airport
TW7 - Heathrow Airport
TW8 - Brentford, Kew Bridge and Syon Park
TW9 - Richmond, Kew and North Sheen
TW10 - Ham, Petersham, Richmond Hill, North Sheen (south) and Richmond Park
TW11 - Teddington, Fulwell (east) and Bushy Park
TW12 - Hampton, Hampton Hill and Fulwell (west)
TW13 - Feltham and Hanworth
TW14 - Feltham, North Feltham, East Bedfont and Hatton
TW15 - Ashford
TW16 - Sunbury-on-Thames
TW17 - Shepperton, Upper Halliford, Charlton and Littleton
KT1 - Kingston upon Thames, Hampton Wick and Norbiton
KT2 - Kingston upon Thames, Canbury and Coombe
KT3 - New Malden
KT4 - Worcester Park, Cuddington and Stoneleigh
KT5 - Surbiton, Berrylands and Tolworth
KT6 - Surbiton, Tolworth and Long Ditton
KT7 - Thames Ditton and Weston Green
KT8 - East Molesey, West Molesey and Hampton Court Palace
KT9 - Chessington including Malden Rushett and Hook
KT10 - Esher, Claygate and Hinchley Wood
What London airports do you cover?
Airport transfers is a core part of our business and we cover London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stanstead and London Luton and will drop our clients to all areas listed below;
WC1 - Central London/West End
WC2 - Strand/Aldwych
W1 - Soho, Marlybone, Mayfair, Piccadilly and Fitzrovia
W2 - Paddington, Bayswater, Hyde Park, Westbourne Green, Little Venice and Notting Hill
W3 - Acton, West Acton, North Acton, South Acton, East Acton and Gunnersbury Park
W4 - Chiswick, Gunnersbury, Turnham Green, Acton Town and Bedford Park
W5 - Ealing, South Ealing, Ealing Common, North Ealing, Northfields, (south and east), Pitshanger and Hanger Lane
W6 - Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook
W7 - Hanwell and Boston Manor
W8 - Kensington and Holland Park
W9 - Maida Hill, Maida Vale and Little Venice
W10 - North Kensington, Ladbroke Grove, Kensal Green and Queens Park
W11 - Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park
W12 - Shepherds Bush and White City
W13 - West Ealing and Northfields
W14 - West Kensington, Barons Court, Kensington Olympia and Holland Park
SW1 - Whitehall, Victoria, Pimlico, Westminster, Belgravia and St James
SW2 - Brixton Central and Clapham Park
SW3 - Chelsea, Brompton and Knightsbridge
SW4 - Clapham, Clapham Common and Clapham Old Town
SW5 - Earls Court
SW6 - Fulham and Parsons Green
SW7 - South Kensington and Knightsbridge
SW8 - South Lambeth, Vauxhall, Battersea, Wandsworth Road and Clapham
SW9 - Oval, Stockwell and Clapham North
SW10 - West Brompton and Chelsea
SW11 - Battersea, Clapham South and Clapham Junction
SW12 - Balham, Clapham South and Hyde Farm
SW13 - Barnes Village and Barnes Bridge
SW14 - Mortlake and East Sheen
SW15 - Kingston Vale, Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Vale, Richmond Park, Roehampton and Roehampton Vale
SW17 - Tooting
SW18 - Wandsworth Town, Southfields and Earlsfield
SW19 - Wimbledon and Southfields
SW20 - Raynes park and Wimbledon Chase
TW1 - Twickenham, St. Margarets and Strawberry Hill (east)
TW2 - Twickenham, Whitton, Strawberry Hill (west) and Fulwell
TW3 - Hounslow, Lampton and Whitton (north)
TW4 - Hounslow West, Hounslow Heath and Whitton
TW5 - Heston, Cranford (north) and Osterley
TW6 - Heathrow Airport
TW7 - Heathrow Airport
TW8 - Brentford, Kew Bridge and Syon Park
TW9 - Richmond, Kew and North Sheen
TW10 - Ham, Petersham, Richmond Hill, North Sheen (south) and Richmond Park
TW11 - Teddington, Fulwell (east) and Bushy Park
TW12 - Hampton, Hampton Hill and Fulwell (west)
TW13 - Feltham and Hanworth
TW14 - Feltham, North Feltham, East Bedfont and Hatton
TW15 - Ashford
TW16 - Sunbury-on-Thames
TW17 - Shepperton, Upper Halliford, Charlton and Littleton
KT1 - Kingston upon Thames, Hampton Wick and Norbiton
KT2 - Kingston upon Thames, Canbury and Coombe
KT3 - New Malden
KT4 - Worcester Park, Cuddington and Stoneleigh
KT5 - Surbiton, Berrylands and Tolworth
KT6 - Surbiton, Tolworth and Long Ditton
KT7 - Thames Ditton and Weston Green
KT8 - East Molesey, West Molesey and Hampton Court Palace
KT9 - Chessington including Malden Rushett and Hook
KT10 - Esher, Claygate and Hinchley Wood
RS T&C's
You can find our terms and conditions here.
Drivers
PCO Drivers
We pride ourselves on having the best drivers possible to look after our valued passengers.
What does the term professional driver mean to you? That’s one of the questions we’ll ask when you apply to be part of our elite team.
If you can put your hand on your heart and say you’re a professional driver then we’d like to speak to you.
Call Now on +44 (0)20 8891 6464
Why drive with us?
At Ridesmiths we offer our drivers flexibility to work the hours that suit them whilst retaining a high earning potential.
We have a highly experienced operations team dedicated to ensuring the work received by our drivers is managed efficiently, minimising the drivers costs and thrive on maintaining a productive and busy fleet.
Although drivers work on self-employed basis, we believe it is fundamental to work as a team and welcome feedback and ideas to better the service we provide to all.