Downing Street In London
Hotels Near Downing Street
DOWNING STREET
The capital city of England is London, a vibrant city of culture and history. There are many famous streets in London and within the heart of Whitehall, the centre of British politics is Downing Street.
Downing Street lies on the perimeter of Buckingham Palace and its surrounding estate and is the official residence of the British Prime Minister, at number 10, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at number 11 and the Chief Whip, at number 9.
Downing Street lies on land where the Hampden House originally stood, built in the 1680s, by Sir George Downing, in the later part of his life. He was the 1st Baronet and a soldier who served in Oliver Cromwell`s army under the reign of King Charles II. For his loyal service to the King Charles II, he was awarded with lands and titles and part of his land was the site where Downing Street lies today.
The most important building in the Downing Street is number 10. This is the house that the First Lord of the Treasury, which is the Prime Minister of England, officially resides.
Number 11 Downing Street and also of some importance, is the official residence of the Second Lord of the Treasury, which is the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Houses number 9 and 12 currently house the Chief Whip`s office and the Prime Ministers Press Office, Strategic Communications, Research and Information Units consecutively. The opposite side of Downing Street where houses once stood now is the site of the Foreign Office.
Over the decades some prime Ministers preferred to reside in the more spacious number 11 Downing Street and on these occasions the Chancellor of the Exchequer occupied number 10. Tony Blair, when Prime Minister and Gordon Brown, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, swapped residences in their early years in these governmental positions as did Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and Stafford Northcote.
At one time, Prime Minister William Gladstone resided in numbers 10, 11 and 12 with his family, however he did hold the post of both First and Second Lord of the Treasury.
The important members of Parliament have had residences in Downing Street for over two hundred years and it was not until the early 20th century that security for these important members of Parliament became an issue. At that time violence and security issues had become a real threat from the Irish Independence conflict and it was decided that wooden barriers would be installed at the end of Downing Street for more protection.
Once the Irish situation had temporarily abated, the barriers were dismantled. However, not for long, as once again the Irish Independence crisis flared up into the national headlines and security of the residents of Downing Street was of great concern.
This time strong, dark steel barricades were erected at the entrance to Downing Street along with security guards and a checkpoint. In present day armed police are stationed outside of 10 Downing Street and armed police officers patrol the area.
Downing Street, has become one of London`s main tourist attractions and tourists usually combine there tour of the Houses of Parliament with a visit to the gates of Downing Street, to see for themselves where some of the most important members of our Government reside.
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