Other meanings of 10 Downing Street
Government & Politics
10 Downing Street, often simply called “Number 10,” is the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister. Located on Downing Street in the City of Westminster, London, the Georgian townhouse has served as the prime ministerial headquarters since 1735, when King George II offered it to Sir Robert Walpole. Its iconic black door and the famous “doorstep” announcements of ministerial appointments have made it a global symbol of British executive power.
The house was built between 1682 and 1684 by Sir George Downing, a diplomat and spy, on land that had once been part of the Crown estate. It was originally one of a row of terraced houses; No. 10 was the largest, with a rear garden and a coach house. In 1732, King George II acquired the property and offered it to Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister, as a personal gift. Walpole accepted on condition that it be attached to the office of First Lord of the Treasury, a tradition that continues today. The building has been modified repeatedly: the famous black door was added in the 1770s, and the interior was extensively remodelled in the 19th century. The Cabinet Room, with its long oval table, has been the site of countless wartime and peacetime decisions. The building also contains a state dining room, a pillared room, and a terrace overlooking the garden. The current facade, with its distinctive black door and white fanlight, dates from the 1960s restoration after bomb damage in the Second World War.
10 Downing Street is not merely a residence; it is the working hub of the British government. The Prime Minister’s office, the Cabinet Office, and the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson are all based there. The building houses the famous “Number 10” press briefing room, where journalists gather for daily briefings. It also contains the Prime Minister’s private study, the “den” where informal meetings occur, and the Cabinet Room where formal Cabinet meetings are held. The building is also the venue for official receptions, state visits, and the weekly audience with the monarch, which usually takes place at Buckingham Palace but occasionally at Number 10. The Prime Minister’s staff, including special advisers and civil servants, work in the adjoining offices at 11 and 12 Downing Street, which are connected internally. The building is a Grade I listed structure and is protected by armed police; the famous black door is opened by a uniformed doorman, a role that has become a symbol of British governance.
Beyond its public image, 10 Downing Street hides many quirks and secrets. The building has a resident cat, the Chief Mouser, a role held by famous felines such as Larry since 2011. The house has a secret underground bunker, the Cabinet War Rooms, used during the Second World War, though it is now a museum. The building’s interior is far larger than it appears from the street; it extends deep into the block, with a courtyard and a garden that hosts the annual “Garden Rooms” press briefings. The famous black door is actually not the original; the original was replaced in the 1960s, and the current one is a replica. The building has been damaged by bombs several times, including a 1991 IRA mortar attack that hit the garden. The Prime Minister’s residence is not owned by the Prime Minister personally; it is owned by the Crown and held in trust for the office. The house has a secret passage to the neighbouring 11 Downing Street, used for discreet movement. The building’s address was originally just “Downing Street,” and the number 10 was added later. The street itself is closed to the public, with gates installed in 1989 for security.
10 Downing Street has become a metonym for the British Prime Minister and the executive branch, much like the White House in the United States. Its image appears in countless news reports, cartoons, and films. The doorstep is the traditional location for the announcement of new Prime Ministers and for ministerial reshuffles, with the new leader making a brief speech before entering the building. The building has hosted historic events, including the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and the announcement of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016. The building’s architecture and interior have been featured in numerous documentaries and dramas. The phrase “Number 10” is used in political commentary to refer to the Prime Minister’s office, and the building’s staff are often referred to as “Number 10” in the media. The building is also a popular tourist attraction, though access is restricted; visitors can only view the exterior from behind security barriers. The building’s significance extends beyond politics; it is a symbol of British democracy and continuity, having survived wars, attacks, and political upheavals for nearly three centuries.
This article focuses on the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister, not on the street itself or other uses of the term.
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