Phone number (604) 536-3353. Amsterdam He also introduced several paintings by John Constable and J. M. W. Turner, Britain's two best known 19th-century artists, and cricketing paintings by Archibald Stuart-Wortley including a portrait of one of England's most celebrated batsmen W. G. 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. [23], After Buckingham retired in 1676, Lady Charlotte Fitzroy, Charles II's daughter, moved in when she married Edward Lee, 1st Earl of Lichfield. I had called them asking if they could add a toner to my hair over the phone . That if he declined it, it would go to the next in the Commission, or it might possibly be disposed of by the Board to any Member or Officer of the Treasury; but could not, & never has been detached from it. Scratches on the right arm were caused by their pistols rubbing up against the leather. This was a formidable undertaking: the three buildings contained over 200 rooms spread out over five floors. During Thatcher's premiership, terrorist threats led to the implementation of a second level of security. [3] Walpole accepted on the condition that the gift was to the office of First Lord of the Treasury. 10 Downing Street? Upon Inquiry, however, it appeared that the House was attached to the Treasury as a Part of the Office. [134], The room is usually furnished with a table surrounded by 20 reproduction Adam style chairs originally made for the British Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. In March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson refurbished the residential apartment at Number 11. 10. You can take bus#11 or ahop-on, hop-off tour bus, both of which pass by frequently. He connected the Downing Street houses with a corridor. "The whole project has been a frightful waste of money because it just has not been done properly. Pt4: The Staircase[111]), In Kent's design for the enlarged Number 10, the Cabinet Room was a simple rectangular space with enormous windows. Once used when policemen sat on watch outside in the street, it has an unusual "hood" designed to protect them from the wind and cold and a drawer underneath where hot coals were placed to provide warmth. In 1924 when Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald took office, he did not own nor have the means to buy an extensive art collection. Suffragettes posed in front of the door when they petitioned H. H. Asquith for women's rights in 1913, a picture that became famous and was circulated around the world. In the foreword, Thatcher described her feelings for Number 10: "How much I wish that the public could share with me the feeling of Britain's historic greatness which pervades every nook and cranny of this complicated and meandering old building All Prime Ministers are intensely aware that, as tenants and stewards of No. [172] Several changes in staffing took place early in February 2022. Many of these attractions have ticket prices attached to them for entry. 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. As part of the renovations begun in 1783, it was extended, giving the space its modern appearance. [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. In 1931, Mohandas Gandhi, wearing the traditional homespun dhoti, posed leaving Number 10 after meeting with Ramsay MacDonald to discuss India's independence. When you spoke to me some time ago upon the subject of the House in Downing Street, I was under the impression, as you were yourself, that the house was the King's & that he might dispose of it in any manner he might think proper. You can also reach it by boat with City Cruises from the Westminster City Pier which is very nearby. At the entrance, a screen of two pairs of Corinthian columns was erected (to carry the extra span of the ceiling) supporting a moulded entablature that wraps around the room. Robert Taylor, the architect who executed this concept, was knighted on its completion. Lord North, who conducted the war against the American Revolution, lived there happily with his family from 1767 to 1782. Media. London. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a speech on the Windsor Framework. Regardless of this fact, a portrait of him still hangs in the entrance foyer of Number 10 Downing Street. There are plenty of other significant London sites within walking distance of Downing Street. [125], In the restoration conducted in the late 1980s, Quinlan Terry restored the fireplace. [28], The Lichfields followed James II into exile after the Glorious Revolution. In 1879 a fire destroyed the upper floors of Number 12; it was renovated but only as a single-storey structure. 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. 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. George II took this opportunity to offer it to Robert Walpole, often called the first prime minister, as a gift for his services to the nation: stabilising its finances, keeping it at peace and securing the Hanoverian succession. The agreement in principle reached by the UK and EU regarding the Windsor Framework. Socialising indoors with people. The room therefore has a unique architectural feature: over the fireplace there is a window instead of the usual chimney breast. [92], Number 10's door is the product of the renovations Charles Townshend ordered in 1766; it was probably not completed until 1772. Lastly, Google made this crystal-clear 360-degree virtual tour of some of the rooms in 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. The building itself, however, did not escape the London Blitz entirely unscathed; in February 1944 a bomb fell on nearby Horse Guards Parade and some of the drawing-room windows were destroyed. The contact . 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. The Ministry of Works has insisted on economy after economy. View Company Not the person you were looking for? 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. 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. [46], One reason many First Lords chose not to live in Number 10 was that most owned London town houses superior in size and quality. "[57] (See Plan of the Design for Number 10 c1781. William Pitt the Younger, who made it his home for twenty years (longer than any First Lord before or since) from 1783 to 1801 and from 1804 to 1806, referred to it as "My vast, awkward house". Nassau, who Anglicised his name to "Overkirk", lived there until his death in 1708. One of the largest rooms was a study measuring forty feet by twenty with enormous windows overlooking St James's Park. 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. The Office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; also known as '10 Downing Street' or 'No 10' . Get Directions. 10, Downing Street: Official Dining Room, Plate 129: No. 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. Pt3: The Dining Room", Plate 130: No. Only a few are permanent features. Jones, p. 52. You are mistaken in supposing that Mr. Vansittart is the only Chancellor of the Exchequer who, without being first Lord of the Treasury, occupied it. Premiership: The Development, Nature and Power of the Office of the British Prime Minister, Imprint Academic. As noted above, you cannot walk on Downing Street as a member of the general public. He had the Government Art Collection loan pieces. The Treasury issued an order "for repairing and fitting it up in the best and most substantial manner" at a cost of 2,522. Overall rating. You have rejected additional cookies. [70] This picture, too, became famous especially in India. The staircase had sunk several inches; some steps were buckled and the balustrade was out of alignment. [77], The architect Raymond Erith carried out the design for this painstaking work[78] and the contractor that undertook it was John Mowlem & Co.[79]The Times reported initially that the cost for the project would be 400,000. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. Most are on loan. To find more go to "More details" about the price bundles. 10 Downing Street is the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister. Dubai [122], Number 10 has three inter-linked state drawing rooms: the Pillared Drawing Room, the Terracotta Drawing Room and the White Drawing Room. 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. 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. The double doors behind the table lead to the State Dining Room. [136][150] (See North elevation of Number 10 with steps leading to the garden[151])[152] The terrace and garden have provided a casual setting for many gatherings of First Lords with foreign dignitaries, Cabinet ministers, guests, and staff. 10 Downing Street is the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister. With or without the prime minister present, visitors had their picture taken. [38], The rebuilding took three years. [19][20], From that time, the "House at the Back" was usually occupied by members of the royal family or the government. [53] Townshend ordered extensive repairs, which were still incomplete eight years later. $88. In 1997, the building was remodelled to provide extra space for the prime minister's greatly increased staff. FREE TOURS BY FOOT IS THE ORIGINAL PAY-WHAT-YOU-LIKE WALKING TOUR. That the First Lord of the Treasury occupies it if he thinks proper. 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. . In 1974, it was suggested that permanent barriers should be erected to prevent the public from walking along the street. [133], When Frederick Robinson (later Lord Goderich), became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1823, he decided to leave a personal legacy to the nation. 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 . Today, there is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I over the fireplace; during the Thatcher, Major and Blair Ministries, a portrait of William Pitt by Romney was hung there. 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. The previous year, Knevett had moved into a house next door, approximately where Number 10 is today. (1) To get a quick photo-op of 10 Downing Street, you can take the #11 bus, and sit on the top deck of the doubledecker. Most are included in a number of tourist attraction discount passes available to you in London. [153] It was also the location of the first press conference announcing the Coalition Government between David Cameron's Conservatives and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats. 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. [133], The White State Drawing room was, until the 1940s, used by Prime Ministers and their partners for their private use. Prime Minister's Office. "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. V4A 3V2 10 Downing Street, London number10.gov.uk Joined March 2008. In May 2010, it was reported that David Cameron, who also had four small children upon taking office, would also take up actual residence above Number 11, and his Chancellor, George Osborne, above Number 10. It was here that Edward Heath kept his grand piano. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. When Margaret Thatcher came to power it was the Blue Room; she had it re-decorated and renamed the Green Room. The Modern Cabinet Room: Two photographs taken by Prime Minister. He felt thatit was not right that the public should be prevented from walking down the street and taking photographs outside Number 10. Downing's portrait hangs in the entrance hall of Number 10. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. You can change your cookie settings at any time. 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. Letters patent issued in April 1736 state that: "a piece of garden ground situated in his Majesty's park of St James's, & belonging & adjoining to the house now inhabited by the Right Honourable the Chancellor of His Majesty's Exchequer, hath been lately made & fitted up at the Charge of the Crown". See below for some tips on how to get the best view of the street and door. He had the Government Art Collection loan pieces. 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. In the summer of 1993 windows were rebuilt and in 1995 computer cables installed. Role. 1639 128th Street Surrey, BC . At this time we are not able to respond to emails that do not fall into this category or are of a general nature.Please consider carefully whether your email is necessary and note that emails are not monitored throughout the day or at weekends. The Green State Drawing Room contains mostly Chippendale furniture including a card table that belonged to Clive of India and a mahogany desk that is thought to have belonged to William Pitt the Younger and used by him during the Napoleonic Wars. Prime ministers come and go, but one resident of 10 Downing Street has no plans to leave any time soon. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. tips on how to get the best view of the street and door, Churchill Museum at the Cabinet War Rooms. 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. Greater transparency across government is at the heart of our commitment to let you hold politicians and public bodies to account. [56] This proved to be a gross underestimate; the final bill was over 11,000. This video below made for the 2012 Olympics, gives you a good look into the public rooms inside 10 Downing Street. Painted off-white with large floor to ceiling windows along one of the long walls, the room is light and airy. Situated in Downing Street in the City of Westminster, London, Number 10 is over 300 years old and contains approximately 100 rooms. Edward Heath borrowed French paintings from the National Gallery and was loaned two Renoirs from a private collector. [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.