London Weekend Break

Downing Street

Downing Street is one of the most famous roads in Britain and has possibly the best known address, 10 Downing Street, the official city residence of the UK Prime Minister.

Next door at number 11 is the home of the sitting Chancellor of the Exchequer and despite both properties’ relatively small frontal appearance, they are in fact quite large.

There are offices, meeting rooms and numerous staff on hand in all of the Downing Street houses and daytime hours see a continuous procession of MP’s, dignitaries and invited guests enter one or more of the houses.

Number 10 Downing Street first became home to the Prime Minister in 1732 and with the addition of the chief whips office at number 12, this street is without doubt the most powerful in the British Isles. It also has the most famous front door (possibly in the world) with the ever present police officer standing guard.

Since 1982 and the increased threat of IRA attacks (at that time), Downing Street has had a gated entrance.

Nearest tube stations are "Westminster" and "Trafalgar Square".

Links relating to London