London - Downing Street

In this quiet, residential street the great decisions on British government policy are taken. No. 10 has been the official residence of the Prime Minister since 1732, when George II presented it to Sir Robert Walpole who, although he did not use the title, can be regarded as the first Prime Minister in the modern sense. No. 11 is the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and No. 12 is the Government Whip's Office. All three houses are elegant Georgian buildings. Downing Street was built by Sir George Downing, who contrived to hold office under both Cromwell and Charles II and was knighted by the latter in 1660. On February 7, 1991 the IRA fired several rockets aimed at the house, while the Cabinet was in session. Fortunately the rockets fell into the garden and nobody was hurt. Downing Street is closed to public access.