10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street stands in the City of Westminster, a short walk from Whitehall and St James’s Park. The building is the official office and residence of the UK prime minister, who also holds the title of First Lord of the Treasury. Over three centuries old, it is a Grade I listed building with roughly a hundred rooms. The third floor serves as the prime minister’s private home, while the rest contain offices, meeting rooms, and reception areas for government business. Behind the house lies a small garden of half an acre, overlooked by a terrace and an interior courtyard. The address is next to St James’s Park and about 1.2 kilometres from Buckingham Palace. The building began as three separate houses in the late 17th century. Sir George Downing, a former spy for Oliver Cromwell and Charles II, built a row of terraced houses on land he acquired south of St James’s Park. One of these became part of Number 10, though Downing himself never lived there. In 1732 King George II offered the combined property to Robert Walpole on the condition it serve the office of First Lord of the Treasury. William Kent redesigned the house, joining the three buildings into the structure recognised today. Visitors cannot enter the building, but the street outside offers a clear view of its historic façade. The terrace and garden at the rear overlook St James’s Park, providing a quiet spot away from Whitehall’s traffic. The interior courtyard is used for official photographs and small gatherings. Portraits and mementoes from past prime ministers line the corridors and entrance hall. The house remains linked with many key moments in British political life since the 18th century.