Downing Street Overview

Like the White House or the Elysee, Downing Street is one of those iconic names that has come to mean more than just a place, but also the expression of national power. Nestling in among the ministerial buildings of Whitehall, the quiet street has become the nerve centre of political power in the UK, acting not only as the residence of the prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer but also as the focal point for policy discussions, press conferences, state banquets and meetings with other heads of state.

Prime ministerial residence number ten was originally offered as a private gift to the first prime minister, Robert Walpole, but he refused the state's generosity and declared the residence for future use by those holding the post of First Lord of the Treasury. The tradition has remained in place ever since that number ten has accommodated prime ministers and their families in its upstairs flats, while providing ample and sumptuous office space downstairs for the serious business of running the country. An arrangement referred to by former prime minister Margaret Thatcher as living 'above the shop' can make for complicated work-life balance, but it is a situation that makes the Whitehall side-road an even more fascinating centre of political power and a must-see site.

While Number 11 Downing Street is also a landmark for its use as home to the chancellor, Number 9 has also become an important address of late, acting as a gateway to the Privy Council Office and housing the Chief Whip's office. Number 12 meanwhile houses the Prime Minister's Press Office, Strategic Communications Unit and Information and Research Unit.

Downing Street Location

A stone's throw from Westminster tube station on the Jubilee and District Lines, the well connected area of Whitehall is packed full of political powerhouses well worth a visit. Strolling up toward the street, visitors will find themselves face to face with the historic seat of parliamentary power, the Houses of Parliament, and their towering neighbour Big Ben.

While the prime ministerial residence is conveniently close to parliament, visitors can also mimick the trip made by newly inaugurated leaders to visit the queen at Buckhingham Palace, with only the picturesque surroundings of St James Park lying between them. Directly across from 10 Downing Steet itself is the Foreign Office, one of the most important ministries and a frequent port of call for busy prime ministers.

Downing Street is also just across the river from the London Eye, which since its inception in the Year 2000 has fast become the capital's biggest attraction, providing incredible panoramas back over Whitehall and far beyond.

Why Visit Downing Street

One of the attractions of seeing Number 10 is the opportunity to see the mark left on the residence by the stream of powerful incumbents calling it home for however long the electorate sees fit.

'One nation-Tory' Harold Macmillan brought in a curved model to replace the rectangular Cabinet Room table during his stint in the 1950s and 60s, allowing the Prime Minister to ogle all around the table with consummate ease.

Subsequently, short-lived premier Edward Heath added furniture to the state rooms, allowing them to evolve from being the day-to-day living space of the prime minister to rooms set aside for official business.

And thanks to the Iron Lady, the end of the 1980s saw Thatcherism imposed on the White Drawing Room and Terracotta Room through ornate plasterwork ceilings. In the White Drawing Room this saw emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales emblazoned onto the room.

But while the house is lined with history, visiting the spot is also a chance to follow in the footsteps of more popular heroes, with George Clooney recently paying a visit to Gordon Brown and the likes of Noel Gallagher also attending Downing Street does in his time.