Number 10 Downing Street is the centre of the government, physically as well as politically. It is where the prime minister stays, and it is where he works. It also houses the offices for the secretaries, assistants and advisors. There are conference rooms and dining rooms where the prime minister meets with and entertains leaders and foreign dignitaries. 10 Downing Street is located close to the Palace of Westminister, the UK Parliament, and to Buckingham Palace, the residence of the Queen.The building known as Number 10 originally comprises three houses: the "house at the back", the "Number 10" itself, and the house next to it. The house at the back was a mansion built around 1530, next to the Palace of Whitehall, the primary residence of the monarchs at that time. 10 Downing Street was a smaller house than the house at the back, and was built in 1685. They all belonged to the king, and various members of the royal family used to stay there.In 1732 King George II offered it to Robert Walpole, regarded as the first person to assume the position of Prime Minister of Great Britain. He accepted, but on condition that it be a gift to the office of the First Lord of the Treasury, and not to himself. The monarch agreed, and with that, 10 Downing Street has passed to each incoming First Lord.
10 Downing Street turned out to be a rather unpleasant place to live. It was constructed on boggy soil, and was costly to maintain. Many prime ministers chose not to stay there. William Pitt the Younger lived there for 19 years, longer than any other prime ministers before or since. In a letter to his mother, Pitt called Number 10 his "vast, awkward house". Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellingtonm refused to stay there because it was too small. Many times, 10 Downing Street came close to being demolished. But as time went by, it survived and became intertwined with the unfolding events of British history, that people came to appreciate it for its historic value, if anything.
The black front door at Number 10 has no keyhole - it can only be opened from the inside. Nevertheless there will always be a security guard stationed behind the door to open it for the prime minister, no matter how early or late he/she comes home. Gates were installed at both ends of Downing Street during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher. There are armed police on guard. People are still allowed on Downing Street, after they go through security checks and follow certain rules.
10 Downing Street turned out to be a rather unpleasant place to live. It was constructed on boggy soil, and was costly to maintain. Many prime ministers chose not to stay there. William Pitt the Younger lived there for 19 years, longer than any other prime ministers before or since. In a letter to his mother, Pitt called Number 10 his "vast, awkward house". Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellingtonm refused to stay there because it was too small. Many times, 10 Downing Street came close to being demolished. But as time went by, it survived and became intertwined with the unfolding events of British history, that people came to appreciate it for its historic value, if anything.
The black front door at Number 10 has no keyhole - it can only be opened from the inside. Nevertheless there will always be a security guard stationed behind the door to open it for the prime minister, no matter how early or late he/she comes home. Gates were installed at both ends of Downing Street during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher. There are armed police on guard. People are still allowed on Downing Street, after they go through security checks and follow certain rules.
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