Number 10 Downing Street has been the home of England’s Prime Minister since 1878, and along with numbers 11 and 12 Downing Street, is all that remains of a cul de sac built by Sir Geogre Downing. Downing built the development, which once contained more than 20 houses, from 1682 – 3. In 1732, the two houses that currently make up 10 Downing Street were joined, and the property became an official government residence. Sir Robert Walpole, the First Lord of the Treasury, moved there in 1735.
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his family has switched residences with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who customarily lives at Number 11, because Number 11 has more bedrooms. Chancellor Gordon Brown is a bachelor.
Some of this information is available on a plaque that is posted on the gate. You may be able to squeeze your camera lens between the bars, but there won’t be much to photograph. The street and buildings look unassuming from outside, and you’ll get a better feeling for the residence.
