Downing Street

Downing Street in Westminster has served for over 250 years as the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister (No. 10) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (No. 11). It is named after George Downing, a shady diplomat and spy for both Cromwell and Charles II, who built the street as a speculative venture in the 1680s. The black door of No. 10 with its polished lion-head knocker is one of the most recognized doors in the world; behind it lie around 100 rooms that have merged with neighboring buildings over the centuries. Since 1989 the street has been blocked off by wrought-iron gates for security reasons; visitors can only see it through the railings from Whitehall. Even so, the spot is essential for anyone interested in politics or press history.