Downing Street

Behind the black iron gates in front of you is Downing Street, and a short way down it is Number 10, home and office of the British Prime Minister. The street is named after George Downing, a diplomat who switched sides just in time when the monarchy returned in 1660. He put up a row of cheap houses on boggy ground. Centuries later, Winston Churchill grumbled that they were shaky and lightly built by the profiteering contractor whose name they bear. The first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, was offered the houses as a gift from the King. He turned down the personal present and asked that they become the official home of everyone who held his post after him. It has been the Prime Minister's official home ever since. Notice the black front of Number 10. The bricks are actually yellow. Two centuries of coal smoke turned them black, and when they were finally cleaned, they were painted black again to keep the look everyone knew. Until the nineteen eighties, anyone could walk up and stand outside the famous door. Inside lives Larry, a former stray cat and official Chief Mouser, who has served every Prime Minister since David Cameron. Next stop: the Churchill War Rooms, about 350 metres or 5 minutes. Carry on down Whitehall, turn right into King Charles Street and head for the steps at the far end.