What is Downing Street?
Posted on Jan 08, 2026 / Travel
Downing Street is a short, gated street in the Westminster area of central London that is famous as the home of the UK government’s most senior officials. It runs off Whitehall and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Houses of Parliament and St James’s Park. Built in the 1680s by Sir George Downing, the street originally included townhouses that were later designated for government use. Downing Street is best known internationally for Number 10, the official residence and office of the British prime minister. Next door, Number 11 serves as the residence of the chancellor of the exchequer, with the chief whip traditionally based at Number 12. Over time, offices and government functions have expanded to occupy much of the street’s historic buildings. The street’s name is often used as a metonym for the UK prime minister or the British government as a whole.
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