10 Downing Street — Attraction in London

while strolling down Whitehall, it is hard to miss 10 Downing St, ofcourse it is closed to the public and you can catch a glimpse through the iron gates.

Originally one of three houses, Downing Street was gifted to Sir Robert Walpole by King George II in 1732. Walpole accepted the gift on the basis that it would be used as the office of First Lord of the Treasury – a post he held at the time while effectively serving as Prime Minister. Thus a centuries-old tradition was born. In fact, the brass letterbox on the front door is still engraved with the title “First Lord of the Treasury”.

another fact: Number 10 as we know it started out as Number 5 and wasn’t renumbered until 1779 – prior to this, houses in the street tended to be known by the name or title of their occupants.

the door itself cannot be opened from the outside – hence, there is no door handle. It can only be opened from the inside by the guard on duty, who monitors a screen to know when to open the door.

I wish it could have been opened to pthe ublic like...

For a visitor, 10 Downing Street is more an emblem than an attraction — its power lies in what it represents (British political centre, continuity, governance) rather than the visual or experiential spectacle.

If you go expecting to “tour inside,” you’ll be disappointed. But if your expectation is more modest — to see the famous door, appreciate its history, imagine the weight of decisions made behind the wall — then it certainly holds value.

It works best as one stop on a political / Westminster walking route. Its symbolic presence enhances the gravitas of surroundings (Parliament, Whitehall). The mismatch between its modest external appearance and its enormous political significance is part...

A stunning place to visit. Guided tours are available (though I gather not too often), mine was arranged by my MP and we were shown around by the Head of Facilities. Naturally, the building is steeped in history with items of furniture and artwork which amaze and impress. Being a working building we were encouraged to make use of the seating in the Pillared Room and able to view everything up-close without areas being roped-off although the tour was limited to the rooms which are available to view virtually online. The experience was genuinely interesting and 10 Downing Street is probably the most impressive place I've visited. Anybody fortunate enough to be offered a tour of No. 10...