)[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. If you are not a member of the media, please use the public correspondence contact form. Addl. [117][118][119][120], Although Kent intended the First Lord to use this space as his study, it has rarely served that purpose; it has almost always been the Cabinet Room. Nassau, who Anglicised his name to "Overkirk", lived there until his death in 1708. 10 Downing Street is located in the City of Westminster, just a short walk away from the Palace of Westminster and Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. [12], Downing employed Christopher Wren to design the houses. 2371. 10, Downing Street: breakfast room and smaller drawing room, Plate 117: No. [137][138][139] (See Simon Schama's Tour of Downing Street. Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 15, 2023 Larry's enduring presence at No. This arrangement began to change in 1877 when Benjamin Disraeli took up residency. 10 Downing Street, they have in their charge one of the most precious jewels in the nation's heritage". To this end, he employed John Soane, the distinguished architect who had designed the Bank of England and many other famous buildings, to build a State Dining Room for Number 10. The contact . 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". The modern boat-shaped top, introduced by Harold Macmillan in the late 1950s, is supported by huge original oak legs. [42], Shortly after moving in, Walpole ordered that a portion of the land outside his study be converted into a terrace and garden. If he declines it, the Chancellor of the Exchequer occupies it, not as Chancellor of the Exchequer, but as second in the Commission of the Treasury. Unlimited calls to the US and Canada with additional call minutes to 20 other countries within one bundle. [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. One of the largest rooms was a study measuring forty feet by twenty with enormous windows overlooking St James's Park. Earlier, the government had taken over the other Downing Street houses: the Colonial Office occupied Number 14 in 1798; the Foreign Office was at Number 16 and the houses on either side; the West India Department was in Number 18; and the Tithe Commissioners in Number 20. 's office, based at 10 Downing Street. [105] (See The Main Stairway c1930 General view showing portraits of the prime ministers[107] and Detail of the Wrought Iron Balustrade[108])[109][110] (See also Simon Schama's Tour of Downing Street. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Contact: Prime Minister's Office enquiries. 10, Downing Street: entrance hall and drawing room, Plate 124: No. 10 Downing Street - YouTube We will be stepping up capacity of testing to 25,000 people in hospitals a day. And praying a Warrant for the said sum of 5,580and also praying an Imprest of that sum to enable them to pay the Workmen". No 10 media blog MS. 38292, f. 11) from Lord Liverpool to Charles Ellis, dated 22 January 1823, is of interest. To them, Number 10 was unimpressive. Any original materials that were beyond repair such as the pair of double columns in the Cabinet Room would be replicated in detail. London Within a few years, dry rot was discovered, especially in the main rooms due to inadequate waterproofing and a broken water pipe. 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". Also, take a look at thevirtual tour of 10 Downing Streeton the UK Government's website. (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. The Ionic motif is also found in the door surrounds and panelling. Pt3: The Dining Room", Plate 130: No. Along with the adjoining Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, it is the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom. Jones, in letter from Margaret Thatcher used as a preface to the book. 10 Downing Street is Government . There were also delays when archaeological excavations uncovered important artefacts dating from Roman, Saxon and medieval times. The Data Protection Officer provides independent advice and monitoring of Cabinet Office's use of personal information. [133], When Frederick Robinson (later Lord Goderich), became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1823, he decided to leave a personal legacy to the nation. Amsterdam In 2010, the Camerons completely modernised the 50-year-old private kitchen in Number 11. 1 star. 5 . The main section had no visible supports. Downing planned to build a row of terraced town houses "for persons of good quality to inhabit in"[9] The street on which he built them now bears his name, and the largest became part of Number 10 Downing Street. He left as soon as it was finished. [24], The "House at the Back" reverted to the Crown when Lady Overkirk died in 1720. With a keen interest in History and a BA degree to match Margaret prides herself on her knowledge of the amazing city she calls home and she's been guiding here now for nearly a decade. $2 / month. [35] He proposedand the King agreedthat the Crown give the properties to the Office of First Lord of the Treasury. 10, Downing Street: details, Plate 125: No. Protective Packaging Ltd. 2118 Jolicoeur Rue . )[64], When Lord Salisbury retired in 1902, his nephew, Arthur James Balfour, became Prime Minister. Hendrick Danckerts' painting "The Palace of Whitehall" (shown at the beginning of this article) usually hangs in the ante-room. Claimed. Find some more ideas, read our post onwhat to see in Royal London. [31], Johann Caspar von Bothmer, Premier Minister of the Electorate of Hanover, head of the German Chancery and adviser to George I and II, took up residency in 1720. Prime Minister Tony Blair, for example, hosted a farewell reception in 2007 for his staff on the terrace. Scratches on the right arm were caused by their pistols rubbing up against the leather. [21], George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, the general responsible for the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, lived there from 1660 until his death in 1671. Skirting boards, doors, sills and other woodwork were riddled and weakened with disease. 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. [37] This small house and the mansion at the back were then incorporated into Number 10. "I am heart broken by the result," he said. After Prime Minister Robert Peel "gave up" being Chancellor in 1841, and this separation of positions gradually became a convention of the constitution, a locked door was installed between the buildings limiting the Prime Minister's access to the Treasury and its staff. 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. Most were actually built rather cheaply and were not of good quality still the case when Winston Churchill resided at Number 10 and he is quoted as saying his house was shaky and lightly built by the profiteering contractor whose name that bear.. There is one exception. Media. Charleston 10, Downing Street: plan of alterations in 1781, "Electoral Commission to investigate Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat renovations", "Trump and May to meet for talks in Davos after 'special relationship' tested", 10 Downing Street: The World's Most Famous Front Door, Plate 118: No. 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. [155] (See works from the Government Art Collection currently on display at Number 10[156]), About a dozen paintings are changed annually. 4 stars. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. Read our post which compares these city passes to see if any are a good fit for you. Share. From 1834 to 1877, it was either vacant or used only for offices and meetings. Behind its black door have been taken the most important decisions affecting Britain for the last 275 years. [124], A Persian carpet covers almost the entire floor. The zero of the number "10" is painted in a very eccentric style, in a 37 angle anticlockwise. 10 Downing Street 5.3K views4 months ago CC Leaders Visit 10 Downing Street Play all President Duda of Poland visits Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street 10 Downing. [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". We include information such as how to get there, the best times to go, as well as some virtual tours of the famous residence. 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. Today, the closest visitors can get is standing on the edge of the street to peer through the permanent black metal gates. [91], The current tenant of 10 Downing Street is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Tweets. . Pt 3: The Dining Room)[140] Measuring 42 by 26 feet (12.8 by 7.9m), it is the largest room in Number 10. 10, Downing Street: detail of iron balustrading to main staircase, "YouTube Simon Schama's Tour of Downing Street. Los Angeles 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. Free. It was used as the dining room when Robert Walpole was prime minister. Rome Save. Since July 2016 the Prime Minister has been Rt Hon Theresa May MP. [171], In her report about parties on Government premises during the COVID pandemic, Sue Gray concluded that the size of the Downing Street operation had increased without the structures to support them, and "too much responsibility and expectation is placed on the senior official whose principal function is support of the Prime Minister". "My Lord's Study"[41] (as Kent labelled it in his drawings) would later become the Cabinet Room where Prime Ministers meet with the Cabinet ministers. [102], Couse also added a bow front to the small cottageformerly Mr Chicken's houseincorporated into Number 10 in Walpole's time. [41] The name changes according to the colour it is painted. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. Downing Street History - Audioboom Niall Patrick email address & phone number | 10 Downing Street Economic This arrangement began to change in 1877 when Benjamin Disraeli took up residency.