Founded in London in 1758, Cox & Kings has served Gandhi and Churchill; pioneered culturally adventurous journeys and tours; won numerous accolades; and continues to thrive, deepening people’s understanding of the world through travel and discovery.
The Foundation
Richard Cox established the firm that would become Cox & Kings on 25 May 1758, while working for Lord Ligonier, commander-in-chief of Britain’s Armed Forces. Called Cox & Co., it served as a regimental agent for Britain's forces, overseeing supplies, wages, shipping and travel arrangements. In later years, the Duke of York, the son of George III, and Winston Churchill numbered among its clients.
The Merger
After the First World War, Cox & Co. merged with Henry S King & Co, a prominent shipping agency with deep Indian connections. It had offices across Britain, Egypt, France and India, and began to develop its tours. In 1922 it appeared in a Sherlock Holmes story; in 1924 it supported George Mallory's failed attempt to summit Everest; in 1931, Mahatma Gandhi travelled with Cox & Kings to Europe.
The Global Reach
In 1970 Grindlays Bank – an Anglo-Indian bank – bought Cox & Kings. During the 1980s the company widened its networks to encompass the USA, the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. In 1988 it opened its New York City office; in 1990 it promoted tours of Latin America.
The Present Day
In 2018, Cox & Kings marked its 260th anniversary with tours and journeys to all seven continents, including Antarctica. In 2019 it joined the AKTG family. Today, the company organises escorted small-group tours and private tailormade travel, with a focus on authentic experiences for the culturally curious, providing the same, long-standing, detailed, award-winning service to all its clients, globally.
Our specialist lecturers – drawn from academia, publishing and the museum sector – open up hidden cultural aspects of your journey.
90 per cent of our tours have at least one guaranteed departure date, enabling you to book, plan and travel with confidence.
Can’t wait? We have places within a range of small group tours departing within the next three months.
In 2025, we were the winner in the Best Small Travel Company: Arts & Culture category at the British Travel Awards.
In 2025, we were the winner in the Best Small Travel Company: Arts & Culture category at the British Travel Awards.
In 2025, we were the winner in the Best Small Travel Company: Arts & Culture category at the British Travel Awards.
