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Downing Street
by the Palladian architect William Kent. Now important guests could be entertained in handsome rooms on the first and second floors, while Walpole used the ground floor to conduct business. Over the decades since, there have been many further alterations, notably the building of the State Dining Room and Small Dining Room in the 19th century by the renowned architect Sir John Soane. In the 20th century, with photography and radio on hand to capture the moments for posterity, Downing Street became the focus for significant events in Britain’s history. In January 1908, long before gates were erected at the end of the street to control entry, suffragettes chained themselves to the railings outside Number 10, gaining huge publicity for their campaign for women’s votes. In 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from Germany to flourish the infamous ‘peace for our time’ document in front of Downing Street’s jubilant
gathered crowds. A year later, he broadcast a sombre radio message from Number 10’s Cabinet Room, telling the nation that it was at war. Winston Churchill moved in and brought his own characteristic style of leadership: often sitting in bed smoking cigars while dictating speeches and letters to an unfazed secretary in the morning or late evening. On 8 May 1945 he chose the more formal setting of the Cabinet Room to make his VE Day broadcast announcing Victory in Europe. A notable post-war change at Number 10 has been the 1940s conversion of the attic – formerly servants’ quarters – into a modest flat for the prime minister and his family. It is nowhere near as grand as living on the floors below, but it did relieve prime ministers of having to bring their own furniture for the state rooms! Nowadays, our Downing Street spokesperson explains, “The state rooms are inspected every four years – we
Clockwise from above left: Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill; The Cabinet Room; the downing Street garden backs on to horse Guards Parade
Fifty-two men and one woman have stepped across the threshold of Number 10 Downing Street as British prime minister
www.britain-magazine.com
london | The 2014 Guide
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