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Centuries of Experience
2008 marks the 250th anniversary of Cox & Kings, the longest established travel company in the world.
The company’s history stretches back to May 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed as regimental agent to the Foot Guards, later the Grenadier Guards, by Lord Ligonier during the French and Indian War (the ‘Indian’ in this context refers to the American Indians who were allied to France against the British in the war for control of America).
There was not a strict code for the role of an agent; in essence they arranged the payment of officers and men, organised the provision of clothing, acted as a go between for the buying and selling of officers’ commissions and acted upon any special requests from the regimental adjutant. This ranged from the shipment of personal effects to the requisition of weapons or supplies.
Such was Cox’s success that by the end of the 18th century the company acted as agents for 14 cavalry regiments, 64 infantry regiments and 17 militia regiments, becoming the largest military agent for the army. Through partnership with the Drummond family the company had also become involved in banking.
The company’s business grew hand in hand with the British Empire, notably during the Raj era in India, and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces. In 1922 the company merged with the Henry S. King bank and, although the banking business was sold the following year, the Pall Mall building was opened as the Cox & Kings branch.
Cox & Kings continued to flourish after the two World Wars and today it thrives as an independent travel company, with associated operations in India, Japan and the USA.
The company has built on the tradition of high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century and it now provides travel arrangements of the highest calibre in some of the most fascinating parts of the world.
Today, as we celebrate our first 250 years, the company organises group tours and tailor-made private travel to the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East and Europe. In addition, we run a programme of tailor-made Family Explorer holidays and a selection of special interest tours, including expert-led Art Treasures holidays.