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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[dereks]

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.

[oldhippy]

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.

[janegardener]

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

[garycurry]

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.

[jilltagmorris]

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

[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.

[lozinozz]

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 😊

[GottaBeThere]

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

[chriscarr]

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.

[christinesuccop]

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

[maryloumawson]

Thanks for this! I've always been fascinated by 10 Downing street, but there seemed to be little information about the house on YouTube. 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.

[stepps]

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.

[kenefdz]

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

[michaelamos]

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

[chrishall]

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

[hayee]

This is such an incredible video, I found you via Natasha & Debbie! Keep up the incredible work and thank you for sharing our history, it’s certainly taught me a lot!

[avon]

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

[tburrrg]

This is my new favorite YouTube channel!

[melaniehylok]

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!

[EdMcF]

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