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10 Downing St

Stand at the security gates on Whitehall for a glimpse of Britain's political heart. Peer down Downing Street toward the famous black door of the Prime Minister's residence, then continue on toward Parliament Square.

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Reasons to go

The building has served as the Prime Minister's official residence and office since the 1730s.
Its black door is among the most photographed doors in the world, despite being viewable only from behind security gates since the 1980s.

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Full description

10 Downing Street has been the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister since the 1730s, its plain black door one of the most photographed doors in the world despite being seen only from a distance today, since a permanent security gate at the end of the street closed public access in the 1980s. Visitors can't approach the door itself, but the gated view down Downing Street from Whitehall is enough to draw steady interest, reflected in the data's high must-see score despite the brief, entirely free visit.

It's best treated as a two-minute stop worked into a longer Whitehall walk toward Parliament Square rather than a destination on its own.

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Address

10 Downing St, London SW1A 2AA, UK · Covent Garden

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Booking

Walk-in

Duration

10 min

Best time

morning, afternoon or early evening

Intensity

Easy pace

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Good to know

Approach from Whitehall, since the street itself is closed to the public behind security gates
combine it with the nearby Cenotaph, Horse Guards Parade and Banqueting House along Whitehall
don't expect to get close to the door itself, as photos are taken from behind the gates.

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