The History of 10 DOWNING STREET

#10downingstreet #downingstreet #whitehall
On the eve of a General Election, I look at the history of one of Britain's most iconic buildings, Number 10 Downing Street, the official residence and home of the United Kingdom's Prime Minister. I look at how the building came into being as two houses within the palace of Henry VIII's Tudor Palace of Whitehall and how it was the home of nobles and royals. I look at why it is called Downing Street and its development after it was given to Sir Robert Walpole as an official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury. Moving through to the present, I will give you a guided tour of some of the principal historic rooms within the modern 10 Downing Street.
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[@dereks1264]

Every time I see the Cabinet Room I can't help picturing Sir Humphrey Appleby trying to climb in through the window opposite the PM's chair.

[@John-qd5of]

Ha ha ha! Mrs. T. found that hilarious, too. "Yes, Minister" was one of her favourite programmes.

[@lvthud]

It's that and to be honest, the Spitting Image scenes set in the cabinet room.

[@Parianparlay]

Thank you Allan, superb film as always!

[@Aengus42]

​​@@lvthud At a Cabinet dinner... Thatcher: "I'll have the steak." Waiter: "Certainly Ma'am, & what about the vegetables?" Thatcher: "They'll have the same as me." Best Spitting Image line ever... 🤣

[@TalesOfWar]

"You forgot your key?"

[@oldhippy1947]

Another interesting video. As an American, I probably know less about 10 Downing Street than most of your viewers, but as always, you put it all in historical perspective. Thank you again.

[@allanbarton]

It is fascinating - London has layers of change, occupation and history. This little corner of it has long been the preserve of the powerful.

[@danielkarmy4893]

Happy independence anniversary to all of you!

[@youngimperialistmkii]

As an American, I was thinking the same thing. I don't think that I had ever seen the inside of the building before.

[@paulbrookes6705]

As a Brit I knew nothing about it so it was a lear ning curve for me.

[@FRM101]

I think you're giving 'most of your viewers' a tad too much credit

[@janegardener1662]

Fascinating history of a world-renowned address. Thank you!

[@garycurry4600]

Thank you, Dr. Barton, for the hard work you did in preparing this video. I was surprised to learn of the many renovations that have needed to happen over time…but once you explained how the house was built “on the cheap”, it makes perfect sense now. As an American, I found myself comparing the renovations done to Number 10 to the very extensive restoration done in the late 1940’s through the early 1950’s to our own White House, and how both structures may look the same outside, but were basically gutted and reconstructed from scratch. That half hour went by far too quickly. Again, my thanks to you.

[@maryloumawson6006]

Thanks for this! I've always been fascinated by 10 Downing street, but there seemed to be little information about the house on KZbin. My fascination is rooted in the fact that it is an urban dwelling, with frontage on a sidewalk, right on a street in a large populace city. No sweeping approaches, no grand vistas, nor lofty balconies, etc. To me, an American, having your government occupy such an approachable, unprepossessing space is quite laudable and satisfying. It demonstrates that the government is close to the people, not above them, but serving them from within their midst. I agree that preserving the house and it's history was worth the extra cost, but perhaps could have been done more efficiently. It must be a nightmare for security.

[@Timdalf1]

The main reason for this "humble pile" of a residence/office is of course because the PM is not head of state. He is just a political hack really... Our American presidency manages somehow to combine imperial head of state with political hack... giving the office a neat way to do a 3 card monte of moving the gaol (sic) posts when convenient... retreating into Executive Privilege when the cookery gets too hot! The recent Immunity Decision by the SCOTUS is the latest play of the cards which seeks to restore some dignity . The Brits have no monopoly on useful Constitutional ambiguity.

[@accountnamewithheld]

It's not approachable any more. Thatcher barred off the street with wrought iron fencing at each end.

[@maryloumawson6006]

@@accountnamewithheld Thanks, yes I've seen that. But just the fact that it didn't happen until Thatcher's administration is rather surprising. Our White House is behind bars as well now, even though it has the benefit of being on larger grounds.

[@martihurford]

The only thing I knew of its interiors came from Hugh Grant dancing throughout it in Love Actually 😂. Thanks for putting together this amazing piece.

[@christinesuccop1812]

So interesting. Thanks for this outstanding bit of history and tour.

[@jilltagmorris]

❤🎉😊 Thank you. 10 is a mystery to me. All I know is about Larry the cat. 😂😂😂😂

[@chelseagirl278]

really,, all there is to know

[@okiejammer2736]

Oh, what outstanding research. So interesting! Many thanks.

[@stepps511]

Thank you very much for this illustrative video, Allan. While I recall a mention of #10 in your video on Whitehall Palace, I am so grateful for this more intense look at the history. Your voluminous knowledge never ceases to astound me. Thank you, once again.

[@melaniehylok5670]

Excellent! Such a rich and crazy history. I loved this extended video Allan! You were able to show us so much on the tour. Thank you for all the hard work!

[@allanbarton]

My pleasure - it is a fascinating house in a fascinating corner of London.

[@avon1243]

That was so interesting. It was a bonus to see the inside. Very well researched and narrated. Thank you!

[@albertsmyth9616]

Most informative, thank you. I’ve often wondered about the layout in No 10 and now I’m much better informed, thanks to you.

[@tburrrg2502]

This is my new favorite KZbin channel!

[@lozinozz7567]

Very interesting as usual. Just one question, why does every prime minister waste money redecorating a property they don’t own and live in for a short time. Be good if one of them just made it tasteful and successive ministers left it alone 😊

[@michaelamos4651]

Great research. Very interesting. Thanks for all the hard work

[@ChavJag]

Beautiful building with so much history behind it. If walls could talk

[@thomaslanders2073]

If you think it's a beautiful building you need to get out more and see more of the world because it is far from a beautiful building 🤔

[@williamevans9426]

Wonderful! Many thanks for this extraordinary history and guided tour.

[@kenefdz]

Everything I know about the interior of Number 10 comes entirely from watching "Yes, Prime Minister."

[@jeffreydean463]

More excellent information presented beautifully, Sir. I always look forward to and appreciate the work you put into your videos!

[@l.a.glover9172]

Thank you!!!

[@helgaborek3290]

I was waiting for this video! Thank you so much, it was very interesting and educating.

[@AmynAL]

Thank you so much! This was a very interesting and informative video. We went to see 10 Downing Street 20 years ago. I wish we had had this info when we saw it. I didn’t know it was part of Whitehall Palace. You have filled in many of my blanks. 😊

[@MarkAJAgi]

Didn't realise how recent 10 Downing Street was rebuilt. In the late 70's or 80's I walked down Downing Street. Something you can't do today.

[@GlasshouseandGarden]

I love how you time your videos to link with current events: deaths, funerals, coronations, elections. You contextualise our current life with its place in history and explain REALLY well why we do the things we do and why things are the way they are. I’m all for modernisation and efficiency but I love the thread of our history that runs back hundreds or thousands of years and it would be a shame to lose these connections with the past. Would it be cheaper to build a new PMs house, Parliament building, Monarch’s residence rather than restore? Probably. But how dull and soulless would that be!

[@allanbarton]

Thanks so much for your eloquent appreciation here. I believe that shared culture(s) binds us together in a unique and necessary way, but that an understanding (and education) of how it develops through history is imperative for that culture to preserve its meaning and integrity through to the present and beyond.

[@PaulFellows3430]

Truly fascinating. Thank you Allan.

[@chrishall62]

I can remember walking up Downing Street from Whitehall to Horse Guards Parade, before the security gates were installed at the end of the street in the 1980s

[@stephenpotts832]

Great video Alan, thank you

[@chandlerbattaile5981]

Such a stellar episode. Thank you.

[@PaulGeraghty-e2w]

That was a fascinating history and tour. Thank you for the work you put into it.

[@smontone]

Very informative, thank you!

[@76mayst]

I enjoyed this intriguing look at Number 10. I appreciate your scholarship and storytelling. Thank you!

[@jimcook1747]

Within the first 1000 views! Thanks for this video Dr Barton!!

[@doug3117]

Loved this educational video. Thanks.

[@miketaylorID1]

Wonderful And informative video. Many thanks - For an inquisitive, yet sadly uniformed American, you’ve answered a great many questions of what lies behind that iconic but somewhat ordinary black door - questions embarrassingly never asked for fear of letting on just how narrow my world view is. Lol I am quite surprised at the size of the dwelling within. Expected a cramped row house (Always wondered why your PM resided in a cramped row house) come to find its as large and well-adorned as one would hope for a world leader. Well done! 🇬🇧

[@stephanieking4444]

Thank you for the mentions of what the place was in the 16th century. I wasn't aware that the current number 10 was then a lease off the crown 's Whitehall palace.✨️

[@AndreasAndersson-ve4jx]

A house built on a drained marsh, with rotted timber & rubble foundations, requiring rebuilding the walls... That sounds like Gothenburg, a walled fortress town built on a drained clay march, in the Dutch manner... The foundations, wooden pales topped by a layer of fir twigs, actually holds up pretty well as long as icompletely submerged... But if it dries out it rots & there can be countless other issues... During the 60:s & 70:s, lots & lots of those foundations were decayed and you could see lots of fancy houses, leaning, wavy, cracked, levels going up & down... 80% of the old Gothenburg were tore down, remaining houses requiring work similar to 10 Downing street, very expensive, huge loans were required... From my visits to London, i the old houses appeared straight and like having solid foundations? The video mentioned brick foundations? So you normally don't have those issues with older London houses?

[@Jack-qu3nx]

What a brilliant video!

[@IrishEye]

Great video and tale. Would be nice to see some similar explorations of other Grace and Favour buildings used by the lesser Ministers of the crown.

[@bessofhardwick9311]

Another fascinating video. Thanks for making it. I think I met Quinlan Terry at a garden party in Cambridge when I was an ignorant 19-year-old almost 40 years ago. I had no clue who he was at the time, but I remember him as a nice chap. He told me he had just designed "some things in Richmond".

[@marilynwoolford-chandler1161]

Very timely and most interesting

[@jackcameback]

Brilliant - amazing detail - really enjoyed this, watched it all the way through

[@allanbarton]

Glad you appreciated it!

[@newtronix]

Thanks, a great history and tour.

[@kennstransky]

Great historical tour Thanks

[@JL-jr9gk]

Very interesting, Thank you.

[@monicacall7532]

Absolutely fascinating! I’ve always wondered what was behind the black facade. Now I know. Thank you!

[@educanassa100]

Amazing video

[@brendonmcmorrow3886]

Very enjoyable. Have you thought about covering the history of the various royal residences at Greenwich? It would naturally fit with your recent work on Whitehall. Just a thought.

[@allanbarton]

It is on my list, after Nonsuch and Richmond!

[@brendonmcmorrow3886]

@@allanbarton Good stuff. Your work is top draw so I will definitely look forward to these episodes. I grew up close to Greenwich and have often visited what’s left of the Tudor palace at Richmond.

[@NathanDudani]

​@@brendonmcmorrow3886 *top drawer

[@ianbishop3835]

Extremely interesting and well presented.

[@a24-45]

Wow, I had no idea that the interior had been kept so close in spirit to the C18th. I'm glad that the sense of the past is so present, I think it's good for those in power to have a continual reminder of the national heritage, and hopefully to always be aware that it is in their hands. Generic global modernist decor is nice enough, but doesn't convey the same message. By the way, I was delighted to see that the Cabinet Room was not unfamiliar to me; I realised that I recognised it from watching the episodes of "Yes, Prime Minister". I don't imagine that the series was filmed inside #10 -- but the producers did a pretty good job of recreating the look. I also recall one episode where the PM's press secretary complains that her room isnt close enough to the PM's office and the Cabinet Room; the reasons she gives are hilarious. I will definitely have to look it up again to see if my new-found knowledge of the layout will shed additional light on her manoeuvrings!

[@leahnichol6665]

This is lovely! ❤ Thank you.

[@allanbarton]

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@baylorsailor]

That was very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChrisHunt4497]

Thank you for a great history lesson I like it when you pick something topical for us to enjoy. ❤❤❤❤

[@allanbarton]

Glad you liked it ☺️

[@sophieiremonger4885]

fascinating, thank you!

[@heatherstephens9295]

Brilliant - thank you 👍👍

[@allanbarton]

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@Brend.0]

I could have watched another house of this. WELL DONE! You just quenched a curiosity I've had for years.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@philiplettley]

The King and Queen were to visit Herm, Sark and Alderney on Wednesday 17th July as part of a 3 day tour of the channel islands. Sadly changed to a 2 day tour of Guernsey and Jersey on the Monday and Tuesday as the state opening of Parliament on the 17th. A good idea for a video that week or the future, would be the role of Charles as Duke of Normandy to the channel islands!

[@allanbarton]

That would indeed be an interesting subject to cover; there is a coronation connection, too, as until George IV's coronation, two actors were employed to walk in the procession and play the roles of the dukes of Normandy and Aquitaine.

[@philiplettley]

@allanbarton also a link to the spencers, as the first Earl Spencer married a de carteret from jersey, the 4 diamonds that used to appear at times on the Spencer coat of arms, are the de carteret coat of arms, also the early seigneurs of sark. Also as far as I know, the seigneurs of the island will pay homage and swear leige to the king during the visit, certainly the plan is for Christopher Beaumont seigneur of sark to swear leige to the king, like his father and great grandmother did to Queen Elizabeth II, when the Dame did it to the Queen, it was the only time a female has sworn leige to a Queen, I mean the same oath that William swore to Charles at the coronation. I'm surprised they had actors as one of the monarch's Little used titles is the Duke of Normandy, only used now as his official title in the channel islands. He's the islands landlord, but the channel islands is personal property like Balmoral and Sandringham, because the association ownership dates back to 9th century, where as the Isle of man was gifted to the UK government who then gifted it to the monarch in the 18th century I think. Charles only receives a grand total of £1.79 a year from the crown dependencies, and that's the rent from sark, a 20th of a knight's fee, it's paid to the lieutenant governor of Guernsey every Michaelmass in specially minted coins

[@chrishall62]

A video about Chequers, the PM's country house, would be interesting, The house is probablyy less well known than Number 10 but has an interesting history from what I've read

[@Damian_Hunt]

Fascinating, I could have watched this all day.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@petelosuaniu]

Very timely. Thank you

[@allanbarton]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching!

[@kellieashman6908]

Fascinating. Thank you

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@trevormegson7583]

Epically Epic. Ta very much. And that's a high compliment.

[@lianefehrle9921]

I’m glad you showed this. I always am amazed how beautiful these old paintings are made. The house has so much history. In my American side family history there was a prime minister with the last name of Addington. He wasn’t well liked so the king sent him to South Carolina. I might be wrong. I googled the name and got my info from that.

[@Froghole-gw6xq]

Henry Addington was indeed unpopular at times, and the refrain was "Pitt is to Addington as London is to Paddington". As he was a strong defender of the religious establishment he was rather admired by George III. Pitt resigned in 1801 over the king's refusal to permit Roman Catholic emancipation following the Act of Union with Ireland, and was replaced by Addington who respected the king's wishes: the king considered that emancipation would be a violation of his coronation oath to defend the 'protestant reformed religion'. The failure to approve emancipation in 1800-01 (which had been promised by Pitt and Cornwallis in order to secure the Act of Union, and which was delayed until 1829) had fateful consequences for subsequent Irish and British history. Addington was not sent to South Carolina (though there are Addingtons in that state); his main estate was near Honiton in Devon, but he lived mostly at Richmond in Surrey (and is buried at East Mortlake nearby).

[@__sirena__]

Thank you for sharing your very interesting video. It is professionally narrated and well researched. Sending you hugs and rainbows from New Zealand 💕^^

[@allanbarton]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonatmelbourne7239]

Thank you - impeccably researched

[@allanbarton]

Thank you, glad you appreciated it!

[@samuelgarrod8327]

Great stuff, thank you. I'm very glad to have found your channel and am slowly getting through your archive. I might ask her-who-must-be-obeyed if I'm allowed a subscription to your magazine for my birthday, I'll have to be careful with my timing though. 😆

[@allanbarton]

Thank you very much, indeed; I am glad you are enjoying the channel. I can't help you with the timing of that - best of luck. Readers do seem to like the magazine.

[@rondo122]

Very good video, thank you!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KateVeeoh]

Thank you for going down the research rabbit hole 😄

[@hazelhatswell4268]

Fascinating 👏👏

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heatherjones6647]

Ikea catalogue sums it up well!

[@leemalcolmson7852]

Super vid!

[@jamieknight326]

This is such a great and well timed video. It’s lovely to learn about such a historical place with a modern context. I think it’s says something positive about the UK that the prime minister lives in a London townhouse. Historical due to its usage rather than some grand stately home or historical landmark. I strongly disagree with David Cameron’s politics, but it’s very humanising to see him sitting at a table with an IKEA high chair for his young children etc. Thanks again for such a fascinating insight into the building and how it’s used.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you appreciated this, thanks for watching!

[@shaunburke]

Great video

[@davidandrews8963]

Very enjoyable and informative thank you I'm now going to look at some more of your work from David in Cromer Norfolk 🙏🌈♥️🌊

[@allanbarton]

Glad you liked this, hope you enjoy some of my other content!

[@marthavanbeek-putters]

Thank you again for a great history lesson. Martha

[@Froghole-gw6xq]

Many thanks for this (and all your broadcasts)! Am struck by the contrast between the tacky decor and cheap furniture, with the fine mouldings and decent portraits. It would also be useful to have programmes on the development of the old Treasury building, the Privy Council Office, Dover House, Horse Guards, the old Admiralty and the two blocks of government buildings to the south of Downing Street, which also have quite complex building histories. Also on the fate of the Downing family: the fortune was largely dissipated on litigation after the death of the third baronet of Gamlingay, Cambs, so that the foundation and endowment of Downing College was markedly less impressive than might have otherwise been the case: it was probably the most notorious loss of money to generations of chancery lawyers prior to the Thelluson will trust case, and it may have been part of the inspiration for Jarndyce v. Jarndyce.

[@cat-mum-Jules]

That was really interesting. I have subscribed

[@allanbarton]

Thanks for subscribing, so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@rhiannonpoole6019]

Allan, I could write an essay on how wonderful this video was, as ever packed with information and apt illustrations. Just a couple of points - why don't we have decent portrait painters any more? The ones you showed today are quite sumptuous. Although I was around at the time, I don't remember anything about the extensive rebuild in the sixties - a huge expense, yes, but isn't it a glorious result. And what a pity that for many of us, Downing Street is still distastefully linked with disregard for Covid rules, That'll take a lot of living down.

[@Celtic2Realms]

Very nice and interesting thanks

[@allanbarton]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching!

[@Dreaming5]

I was lucky enough to have afternoon tea at Downing Street with Tony Blair. I vividly remember the toilet - each wall was clad in polished copper, so you had a 360 degree copper mirror view of yourself on the loo! I was told the prime minister’s chair in the cabinet room was always kept at an angle, which is in keeping with the photos you shared. Unfortunately I don’t remember which room we had tea in, but I do remember an unusual piece of modern art on the wall in the hallway outside, which looked like green and brown splodges to me!

[@natesquestyouknowthatsrigh8269]

Nice work 👍🏼🇬🇧

[@allanbarton]

Thanks very much, glad you liked it!

[@TheBlondeSunset]

Bravo

[@simplelifelost]

I always feel sad when you say, “Thanks for watching” because I know your latest fascinating story delivered in your rhythmic and calming voice, is over. Like finishing a good book.

[@mariellegrass-singing4718]

I have a novel on the life of Beau Brummel. In his youth, he lived in the house.

[@uytteb]

It surprises me how 10 Downing Street is at the same time cramped because of the expanded staff and also filled with countless drawing rooms, ante rooms and corridors that can’t possibly get much use.

[@andyb7813]

Great video, I have a photo standing on the step on No10 next to a police man, some 55 years ago!!

[@allanbarton]

Oh wow, also glad you liked the video ☺️

[@sionrouge1697]

Great video and right in time, You guys have a big election today.

[@allanbarton]

A very big election determining the government for the next five years - and a new resident for this house.

[@chef1arjunaidi]

​@@allanbarton middle class white man evicts Asian family. Internet meme circulating now 😂

[@leahnichol6665]

@@chef1arjunaidi😂😂😂😂

[@MartinusBoekhorst]

You left out the most important 'Larry the Cat' 🐈

[@taihastings3097]

Very good.

[@allanbarton]

Thank you very much!

[@9er..]

I do wonder how modern security systems and methods become incorporated into such beautiful and historic architecture.

[@allanbarton]

With immense difficulty I imagine.

[@Aengus42]

Now I know who Captain Benbow is from the Men at Work lyric in "Down by the Sea" where he sings "Saluting Captain Benbow". It's a song about Portsmouth & I believe John Benbow's figurehead is there...

[@user-nz7db1nl6g]

Very interesting, informative and educational. Question does the crow estates still own the land on which Downing street is built?

[@kidmohair8151]

the staircase rogues' gallery, indeed.

[@crazyrobots6565]

I find it pretty interesting that most offical residences of heads if government used to be private homes and have, over the years, had their living spaces whittled away in favour of more work space. Seems very inefficent, but much better than the PM working and living in some kind of office building somewhere.

[@naa7523]

Thank you for this lovely, informative n video. I noticed you mentioned, David Cameron's Choice of Decoration, BUT NOT, The EXPLOSIVE PRICES, Of ONLY The Wallpaper, Of The Choices Of Boris And His Girlfriend. WHAT WERE The Actual Costs Of THOSE Re-decorations?

[@bobstay1]

As i know one of his daughters, i was hoping that you would namecheck the architect involved in the 1960s works, Raymond Erith.

[@michaelhenault1444]

Miss Marple might say, "Mr. Downing has a great deal to explain." 😮

[@HeWhoShams]

My... lord.. This thing is a Frankenstein's monster of a building

[@chriscarr4984]

This wonderful building is surely Doctor Who's Tardis in real life. Bigger on the inside. As I type on July 4th 2024 we have one hour left to find out who the new Prime Minister will be. Hope they like Larry the Downing Street cat, chief mouser to the Prime Minister.

[@RonGerstein]

Labour slaughtered the Conservatives

[@EdMcF1]

'....after he (Henry VIII) acquired it...' I think you probably meant 'stole'. 🙂

[@allanbarton]

Subtle understatement. I do give that matter a fuller treatment in my video on Whitehall - changing the name to Whitehall was a whitewash.

[@francesconicoletti2547]

Well as a monarch you don’t steal things, you acquire them by right. Stealing is for the lower orders.