We analyse the poorly studied open cluster King 1 in the second Galactic quadrant. From wide-field photometry, we have studied the spatial distribution of this cluster. We determined that the centre of King 1 is located at {alpha}_2000_=00:22 and {delta}_2000_=+64:23. By parameterizing the stellar density with a King profile, we have obtained a central density of {rho}_0_= 6.5+/-0.2star/arcmin^2^ and a core radius of r_core_=1.9+/-0.2arcmin. By comparing the observed colour-magnitude diagram of King 1 with those of similar open clusters and with different sets of isochrones, we have estimated an age of 2.8+/-0.3Gyr, a distance modulus of (m-M)_o_=10.6+/-0.1mag and a reddening of E(B-V)=0.80+/-0.05mag. To complete our analysis, we acquired medium resolution spectra for 189 stars in the area of King 1. From their derived radial velocities, we determined an average velocity <V_r_>=-53.1+/-3.1km/s. From the strength of the infrared CaII lines in red giants we have determined an average metallicity of <[M/H]>=+0.07+/-0.08dex. From spectral synthesis, we have also estimated an {alpha}-elements abundance of <[{alpha}/M]>=-0.10+/-0.08dex.