2371. 7 reviews. 10, Downing Street: entrance hall and drawing room, Plate 124: No. During the 1990s John Major converted the first floor anteroom into a small gallery of modern art, mostly British. They are rearranged slightly to make room for a photograph of each new Prime Minister. It was here that Edward Heath kept his grand piano. Painted off-white with large floor to ceiling windows along one of the long walls, the room is light and airy. [4], 10 Downing Street is Government property. . In 1991, member of the IRA had attacked 10 Downing Street with homemade mortar shells, in hopes of killing or severely injuring Sir John Major, then-Prime Minster of the UK. [74], By the middle of the 20th century, Number 10 was falling apart again. That has changed, and now security is very tight, as one would expect for the home of a country's head of government. Overall rating. See letter, dated, "Downing Street, 30 June 1742", from. [82], The new foundation was made of steel-reinforced concrete with pilings sunk 6 to 18 feet (1.8 to 5.5m). Since 1990 when the Terry reconstruction was completed, repairing, redecorating, remodelling, and updating the house has been ongoing as needed. No longer "fitted with variety Walle fruit and diverse fruit trees" as it was in the 17th century, there is now a centrally located flower bed around a holly tree surrounded by seats. In 1931, Mohandas Gandhi, wearing the traditional homespun dhoti, posed leaving Number 10 after meeting with Ramsay MacDonald to discuss India's independence. 10 Political Office (party political liaison and constituency affairs). Early security consisted of two police officers: one stood guard outside the door; the other was stationed inside to open it. With an area in No. As a former chemist, she took pleasure in devoting the Small Dining Room to a collection of portraits of British scientists, such as Joseph Priestley and Humphry Davy. 10 Downing Street, London number10.gov.uk Joined March 2008. [94] (See The Entrance Door c1930: As seen from inside showing the black and white marble floor and the door providing access to Number 11)[103][104], When William Kent rebuilt the interior between 1732 and 1734, his craftsmen created a stone triple staircase. Until the late 19th century, Prime Ministers were required to furnish Number 10 at their own expense with furniture, tableware, china, linens, curtains and decorations. (See The State Dining Room c1930: View toward the entrance[141][142] and View from the entrance[143] and also a more modern view[144])[145], The great kitchen located in the basement was another part of the renovations begun in 1783, probably also under the direction of Robert Taylor. We covered all issues in some detail, including the most difficult ones. Traditionally, it has always had a chopping block work table in the centre that is 14 feet (4.3m) long, 3 feet (0.91m) wide and 5 inches (13cm) thick. Various political advisers have in the past acted in a press . Within a few years, dry rot was discovered, especially in the main rooms due to inadequate waterproofing and a broken water pipe. The Letterbox is Useless. London [100], Beyond the door, Couse installed black and white marble tiles in the entrance hall that are still in use. Larry the cat, whose officialtitle is Chief Mouser, has been living at 10 Downing Street since February 2011. Although he had accepted it on behalf of future First Lords of the Treasury, it would be 21 years before any of his successors chose to live there; the five who followed Walpole preferred their own homes. Painted in white, between the top and middle sets of panels, is the number "10". To find more go to "More details" about the price bundles. The huge . 4 stars. The remaining interior space was converted into a courtyard. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. [3] Walpole accepted on the condition that the gift was to the office of First Lord of the Treasury. 10, Downing Street: breakfast room and smaller drawing room, Plate 117: No. [36], To enlarge the new house, Walpole persuaded Mr Chicken, the tenant of a cottage next door, to move to another house in Downing Street. Dubai . One of the largest rooms was a study measuring forty feet by twenty with enormous windows overlooking St James's Park. [163], The Prime Minister's Office, for which the terms Downing Street and Number 10 are metonymous, lies within the 10 Downing Street building and is part of the Cabinet Office. This was a formidable undertaking: the three buildings contained over 200 rooms spread out over five floors. Probably not completed until 1796,[114] this alteration was achieved by removing the east wall and rebuilding it several feet inside the adjoining secretaries' room. Jones, p. 89 and see also Soane's sketches of several versions of the State Dining Room on p. 84. secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, This became the subject of public controversy, principal private secretary to the prime minister, Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Downing Street Director of Communications, Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, "10 Surprising facts about Number 10 Downing Street", Cabinet Office letter dated 9 October 2018, "No. From 1834 to 1877, it was either vacant or used only for offices and meetings. [87][93] A black iron knocker in the shape of a lion's head is between the two middle panels; below the knocker is a brass letter box with the inscription "First Lord of the Treasury". A leaked message from Matt Hancock's aide-turned-lover Gina Coladangelo has sparked questions over whether there was a Department of Health celebration at the height of Covid lockdown.. [14], Downing did not live in Downing Street. Get 5 free searches. )[26][55], Treasury officials complained that the building was costing too much to maintain; some suggested that it should be razed and a new house constructed on the site or elsewhere. In 1879 a fire destroyed the upper floors of Number 12; it was renovated but only as a single-storey structure. So much has this extraordinary edifice cost the country For one moiety of the sum a much better dwelling might have been purchased! Montreal Residential Phone Book by Name, Address, Postal Code or By Reverse Phone Number Lookup, Edmonton A to Z Name Directory, Find a Resident of Edmonton by Last Name. Since the door had no keyhole, the inside officer depended upon the lone outside officer. The Morning Herald fumed about the expense: "500pounds p.a. Lisbon He left as soon as it was finished. 10 Downing Street in London Number 10 Downing Street is the residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. [83] The "new" Number 10 consisted of about 60% new materials; the remaining 40% was either restored or replicas of originals. Save. For larger gatherings, a horseshoe-shaped table is brought in that will accommodate up to 65 guests. . Press Briefing Afternoon 11 June 2012 . Tubs of flowers line the steps from the terrace; around the walls are rose beds with flowering and evergreen shrubs. Here are some tips on how to get a good glimpse of the famous black door (and perhaps famous people as well). Berlin Entering through the Small Dining Room, Blair used this room for his monthly press conferences. In 1985, Margaret Thatcher said Number 10 had become "one of the most precious jewels in the national heritage". [132], In the renovation of the 1980s Quinlan Terry introduced large Doric order columns to this room in the door surrounds and designed a very large Palladian overmantel for the fireplace with small double Doric columns on each side with the royal arms above. Check benefits and financial support you can get, Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme. )[58][59], A few prime ministers however did enjoy living in Number 10. The original door was put on display in the Churchill Museum at the Cabinet War Rooms. Free. This was the pattern until the beginning of the 20th century. 10. Along with the adjoining Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, it is the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom. The other floors contain offices and conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the prime minister works, and where government ministers, national leaders and foreign dignitaries are met and hosted. [65] The flat became known as the No.10 Annexe, and lay above the much more comprehensive underground bunker now known as the Cabinet War Rooms, and where he also had a bedroom, very rarely used. Its registered legal title is held in the name of the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities (the secretary of state is a corporation sole).[5]. Many of these attractions have ticket prices attached to them for entry. [6][7][8] In 1654, he purchased the lease on land south of St James's Park, adjacent to the House at the Back within walking distance of parliament. [116] It also contains two large bookcases that house the prime minister's library; Cabinet members traditionally donate to the collection on leaving office a tradition that began with Ramsay MacDonald in 1931. "Under (Prime Minister) Blair . [54] While there, Pitt reduced the national debt, formed the Triple Alliance against France and won passage of the Act of Union that created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The original door can be seen by the public it is on display in the Churchill Museum at the Cabinet War Rooms. The contact . The highest ranking civil servant position is the principal private secretary to the prime minister, currently[update] Elizabeth Perelman. In effect the Treasury building became an annex of Ten Downing Street and its staff worked directly for Walpole on treasury, patronage and other public business. In 1766, for example, Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Exchequer, pointed out that the house was in a dilapidated condition. Accessed through the first floor, its vaulted, arched ceiling rises up through the next so that it actually occupies two floors. An advertisement in 1720 described it as "a pretty open Place, especially at the upper end, where are four or five very large and well-built Houses, fit for Persons of Honour and Quality; each House having a pleasant Prospect into St James's Park, with a Tarras Walk". If you are emailing about an issue relating to the responsibilities of another Government Department or public authority then you should contact them directly.Due to the exceptionally high volumes of emails being received at this time, the Prime Ministers Office is only able to deal with those that relate directly to the Prime Minister. [90], To accommodate their large families, both Tony Blair and David Cameron chose to live in the private residence above Number 11 rather than the smaller one above Number 10. Regardless of this fact, a portrait of him still hangs in the entrance foyer of Number 10 Downing Street. As noted above, you cannot walk on Downing Street as a member of the general public. The Windsor Framework, agreed by the Prime Minister and European Commission President, replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, providing a new legal and UK constitutional framework. Having united the structures, Kent gutted and rebuilt the interior. Walpole commissioned William Kent to convert them into one building. Premiership: The Development, Nature and Power of the Office of the British Prime Minister, Imprint Academic. Today, the closest visitors can get is standing on the edge of the street to peer through the permanent black metal gates. 10 Downing Street, The Story of a House. The double doors behind the table lead to the State Dining Room. 100 PBX and CRM users. She said this needed to be addressed as a priority, and Boris Johnson agreed to the Office of the Prime Minister becoming a Government department. Although Bothmer complained about "the ruinous Condition of the Premises",[32] he lived there until his death in 1732. [9] Between 1682 and 1684, Downing built a cul-de-sac of two-storey town houses with coach-houses, stables and views of St James's Park. Churchill called his secretaries the "garden girls" because their offices overlook the garden. The town house, from which the modern building gets its name, was one of several built by George Downing between 1682 and 1684. [4], For most of its history, Number 10 was accessible to the public. If you are a journalist with a press enquiry or interview request, please email our press office. [121] The only picture in the room is a copy of a portrait of Robert Walpole by Jean-Baptiste van Loo hanging over the fireplace. Please note, if you have a media query concerning the Prime Minister or media access to. [127][128] (See The Pillared Drawing Room c1927). Phone number (604) 536-3353. 10 Downing Street. After reconstruction had begun, miners dug down into the foundations and found that the huge wooden beams supporting the house had decayed. But, there are a few ways that you can see what the inside looks like, and also potentially glimpse the PM or cabinet members coming or going. Addl. The Crown authorised extensive rebuilding which included adding a storey, thus giving it three main floors, an attic and basement. You have accepted additional cookies. The garden is dominated by a half-acre (0.2 ha) open lawn which wraps around Numbers 10 and 11 in an L-shape. His secretary, George Downing, who built Downing Street, is thought to have created these changes. The role of Downing Street Permanent Secretary was revived, with Samantha Jones holding the position on an interim basis.[173]. It exploded in the back garden, while Prime Minister John Major was holding a Cabinet meeting. [136] Celebrity chefs such as Nigella Lawson have cooked for Prime Ministers' guests using the small kitchen next door. [164] It is staffed by a mix of career civil servants and special advisers. The Treasury agreed and a complex accounting procedure was developed whereby the outgoing prime minister was required to pay for "wear and tear" on furnishings that had been purchased by the Treasury. . As part of the renovations begun in 1783, it was extended, giving the space its modern appearance. 1 star. [148])[149], The terrace and garden were constructed in 1736 shortly after Walpole moved into Number 10. However, some commentators have suggested that Blair's reforms have created something similar to a Prime Minister's Department. 5 . A copy of a 16th-century original now kept in the Victoria and Albert Museum, there is an inscription woven into it that reads: "I have no refuge in the world other than thy threshold. D B City mall, 3rd floor Maharana Pratap Nagar, Bhopal 462004 India +91 81096 43000 + Add website. Social history is her real expertise, with sound understanding of the day-to-day lives of Londoners over the past centuries. This arrangement began to change in 1877 when Benjamin Disraeli took up residency. We stopped by while listening to our free Rick Steves' audio tour of Westminster on our iPods. The introduction of films and television would strengthen this association. To preserve the 'traditional' look of recent times, the newly cleaned yellow bricks were painted black to resemble their well-known appearance. London. [67] Harold Wilson, during his second ministry from 1974 to 1976, lived in his home in Lord North Street because Mary Wilson wanted "a proper home". In addition to the large carpet previously described, the Pillared State Drawing Room also contains a marble-topped table by Kent. [66] To reassure the people that his government was functioning normally, he insisted on being seen entering and leaving Number 10 occasionally, and indeed, continued to use it for meetings and dinners despite being urged not to. Since 2005, Number 10's Direct Communication Unit has not used its staff's real names on signed correspondence to MPs and members of the public; this is for security reasons. Tweets & replies. The office helps the Prime Minister to establish and deliver the governments overall strategy and policy priorities, and to communicate the governments policies to Parliament, the public and international audiences. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. In 1924 when Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald took office, he did not own nor have the means to buy an extensive art collection. The zero of the number "10" is painted in a very eccentric style, in a 37 angle anticlockwise. Rebuilt, expanded, and renovated many times since, it was originally one of several buildings that made up the "Cockpit Lodgings", so-called because they were attached to an octagonal structure used for cock-fighting. Walpole commissioned William Kent to join the three houses and it is this larger house that is known as Number 10 Downing Street. (See the State Dining room with the Silver Trust Silver in use for a luncheon[135]) Above the fireplace, overlooking the room, is a massive portrait by John Shackleton of George II, the king who originally gave the building to the First Lord of the Treasury in 1732. 10, Downing Street: Official Dining Room, Plate 129: No. We include information such as how to get there, the best times to go, as well as some virtual tours of the famous residence. Sir Robert Walpole, with his Lady and Family, removed from their House in St James's Square, to his new House, adjoining to the Treasury in St James's Park". After more careful studies were completed, it was concluded that the "total cost was likely to be 1,250,000" and would take two years to complete. T: 011-61-293-552-2700. Filter by rating. At the rear is an interior courtyard and a terrace overlooking a .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}12 acre (0.2ha) garden. The staircase, however, was rebuilt and simplified. A note from Lord North to the Office of Works, dated September 1774, asks that the work on the front of the house, "which was begun by a Warrant from the Treasury dated 9 August 1766",[54] should be finished. MS. 38292, f. 11) from Lord Liverpool to Charles Ellis, dated 22 January 1823, is of interest. The number of people allowed in the upper floors was limited for fear the bearing walls would collapse. Well send you a link to a feedback form. As a precaution, the black oak door that had stood at the entrance of Number 10 since 1735 was replaced. This video below made for the 2012 Olympics, gives you a good look into the public rooms inside 10 Downing Street. Edward Heath borrowed French paintings from the National Gallery and was loaned two Renoirs from a private collector. [161] Also in attendance were Elizabeth II and representatives of the families of every 20th-century Prime Minister since H. H. Asquith, including Lady Olwen Carey Evans (daughter of David Lloyd George), Lady Leonora Howard (daughter of Stanley Baldwin), and Clarissa Avon (widow of Anthony Eden and niece of Winston Churchill). Then in 1963 the Cabinet Office (including the Prime Minister's Office) and later the Civil Service (with the Prime minister as Minister for the Civil Service) moved into the renovated Kent Treasury Building. My head has no protection other than this porchway. This post covers tours of 10 Downing Street. Amsterdam Should you want to visit this historic street to get a glimpse of the iconic black door of No. Lister served as acting chief of staff, but was replaced by Dan Rosenfield, who officially assumed the role in January 2021. Large, shiny, and black and bearing 10 in large brass numbers, the door is most likely one of the most photographed in the world! By the 1800s the houses had nearly all been taken over by the government. The remainder are on loan from private collectors and from public galleries such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Gallery. [2] Along with the adjoining Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, it is the headquarters of the Government of the . 6 Lord Street Lakes Business Park Botany, NSW 2019, Australia. 3 stars. Originally, the door was made of Georgian black oak; it is today made of blast-proof steel and takes a reported eight men to lift it. [33], When Count Bothmer died, ownership of the "House at the Back" reverted to the Crown. As many as 40 coats of paint were stripped from the elaborate cornices in the main rooms revealing details unseen for almost 200 years in some cases. ; 9 Downing Street is the location of the Downing Street Press Briefing Room.It formerly held the offices for previous ministerial departments which have since been dissolved or . The room links through to the Terracotta Room next door. [137][138][139] (See Simon Schama's Tour of Downing Street. "The whole project has been a frightful waste of money because it just has not been done properly. The Treasury issued an order "for repairing and fitting it up in the best and most substantial manner" at a cost of 2,522. The work included: "The Back passage into Downing street to be repaired and a new door; a New Necessary House to be made; To take down the Useless passage formerly made for the Maids of Honour to go into Downing Street, when the Queen lived at the Cockpit; To New Cast a great Lead Cistern & pipes and to lay the Water into the house & a new frame for ye Cistern". 8/29/2013. Major moved to Admiralty House while repairs were being completed. [87], Erith's concerns proved justified. tips on how to get the best view of the street and door, Churchill Museum at the Cabinet War Rooms. The prime minister's chair, the only one with arms, is situated midway along one side in front of the marble fireplace, facing the windows; when not in use, it is positioned at an angle for easy access. Number 10 represents an apartment building that is over 300 years old and has 100 rooms. In the committee's report there was some discussion of tearing down the building and constructing an entirely new residence but because the prime minister's home had become an icon of British architecture like Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, the committee recommended that Number 10 (and Numbers 11 and 12) should be rebuilt using as much of the original materials as possible. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. "These were useful exchanges. A guard's chair designed by Chippendale sits in one corner. Prime ministers come and go, but one resident of 10 Downing Street has no plans to leave any time soon. Many rooms and sections of the new building were reconstructed exactly as they were in the old Number 10. [75][76], In 1958, a committee under the chairmanship of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres was appointed by Harold Macmillan to investigate the condition of the house and make recommendations. In one from 28 April 2021, seven months before press reports about parties first appeared, an unnamed No 10 official noted that another official was "worried about leaks of PM having a piss up and . 2. He then surmounted the third storey of the house at the back with a pediment. [60], Nevertheless, for 70 years following Pitt's death in 1806, Number 10 was rarely used as the First Lord's residence. Some of the original buildings were demolished to allow space to build and expand the Privy Council Office, the Board of Trade, and the Treasury Offices. The arrangement became the standard practice. "I am heart broken by the result," he said. Extensive reconstruction again had to be undertaken in the late 1960s to resolve these problems. He may be the most beloved resident of 10 Downing Street in the modern era and his activities are watched closely by the press and the adoring public. 10 Downing Street in London, also known colloquially in the United Kingdom as Number 10, is the official residence and executive office of the first lord of the treasury, usually, by convention, the prime minister of the United Kingdom. A similar number are employed in the equivalent operation in the Cabinet . Hendrick Danckerts' painting "The Palace of Whitehall" (shown at the beginning of this article) usually hangs in the ante-room. To celebrate, Thatcher hosted a grand dinner in the State Dining Room for her living predecessors: Harold Macmillan, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Edward Heath and James Callaghan. To its left is a long case clock by Benson of Whitehaven. Downing Street itself was built in the 1680s by Sir George Downing who had purchased a large tract of land near Parliament, on the edge of St. Jamess Park. Most are included in a number of tourist attraction discount passes available to you in London. Here he is, on May 24, 2019, being escorted into the residence just minutes before Theresa May stood in front of the famous black door and announced her resignation. 1 December 2021, when asked by Sir Keir Starmer if rules were broken: "All guidance was followed completely in No 10." 8 December 2021, when asked whether there was a party in Downing Street on 13 . [46], Downing Street declined at the turn of the 19th century, becoming surrounded with run-down buildings, dark alleys, the scene of crime and prostitution. [160], In 1985, Number 10 was 250 years old. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. [102], Couse also added a bow front to the small cottageformerly Mr Chicken's houseincorporated into Number 10 in Walpole's time. He felt thatit was not right that the public should be prevented from walking down the street and taking photographs outside Number 10. You have accepted additional cookies. This website uses cookies to improve your browsingexperience and analyze the use of the website. This became the subject of public controversy, and an Electoral Commission inquiry took place into the financing of the refurbishment. [43], The same document confirmed that Number 10 Downing Street was: "meant to be annexed & united to the Office of his Majesty's Treasury & to be & to remain for the Use & Habitation of the first Commissioner of his Majesty's Treasury for the time being". Pt4: The Staircase", "Plate 121: No. This arrangement began to change in 1877 when Benjamin Disraeli took up residency. The interior wood in the Cabinet Room's double columns was like sawdust. This system was used until November 1897 when the Treasury assumed responsibility for purchasing and maintaining almost all of the furnishings in both the public and private areas except decorating the walls with art work. We will be stepping up capacity of testing to 25,000 people in hospitals a day. SW1A 2AS. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. Robert Taylor, the architect who executed this concept, was knighted on its completion. Charleston There are plenty of other significant London sites within walking distance of Downing Street. The upper floors were modernised and the third floor extended over Numbers 11 and 12 to allow more living space. Downing Street apologised to Buckingham Palace after details emerged of boozy drinks parties, including one for outgoing communications director James Slack. In 1800 the wealth he had accumulated was used to found Downing College, Cambridge, as had been his wish should his descendants fail in the male line. However, a number of challenging areas remain . Skirting boards, doors, sills and other woodwork were riddled and weakened with disease. This project was completed in 1737 and included corridors connecting the Treasury building with Ten Downing Street allowing Walpole, as Chancellor of the Exchequer as well as First Lord of the Treasury and Prime Minister, direct and convenient access to the Treasury offices. Black and white engravings and photographs of all the past prime ministers decorate the wall. When building these houses, Downing was assisted by master architect Sir Christopher Wren, who designed the buildings. 's office, based at 10 Downing Street. A private residence for the prime minister's use occupies the third floor and there is a kitchen in the basement. The terrace, extending across the back, provides a full view of St James's Park. Dear Prime Minister's Office, I am making a request about the Downing Street Press Office, please answer/supply the following: 1) Who runs the Downing Street Press Office? Boston Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. [12], Downing employed Christopher Wren to design the houses. Number 10 switchboard. Dry rot was widespread throughout. (See Kent's Treasury and No. Despite its size and convenient location near to Parliament, few early prime ministers lived at 10 Downing Street. Winston Churchill, for example, had a great affection for Number 10, but, during World War II, he grudgingly slept in the hastily converted flat on the ground floor of what was then the New Public Office building (NPO) at nearby Storey's Gate. In 1782 the Board of Works reporting on "the dangerous state of the old part of the House", stated that "no time be lost in taking down said building". [56] This proved to be a gross underestimate; the final bill was over 11,000. [105][106] At the bottom of the staircase are group photographs of Prime Ministers with their Cabinet ministers and representatives to imperial conferences. [2] Along with the adjoining Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, it is the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom. The building also hosts foreign dignitaries, national leaders, and government ministers. Audio histories about Number 10 Downing Street, the office of the official residence of the UK Prime Minister Find a Business or Professional Service Provider in Edmonton, White Pages Canada . Please note, if you have a media query concerning the Prime Minister or media access to Downing Street - please call the press office for No10 Downing Street.