The History of 10 Downing Street
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
- 10 Downing Street is one of the UK’s most famous- or, depending on how you look at it- infamous addresses…
In this video, we’ll be looking at the history behind Downing Street, including what existed before its creation, the life of the notorious George Downing (after who the street’s named), and how Number 10 came to find itself at the centre of British politics.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
01:08 Beer & Cock Fighting
02:44 The Dreadful George Downing
06:55 Built on the Cheap
08:57 Mr Chicken & Number 5
10:10 Handing the Keys to Government
12:01 The Hellfire Club
14:00 Expanding Number Ten
16:29 Turbulent Times
20:38 Downing Street Today
22:30 Outro
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Credits:
Music used in this video:
With Shot and Shell (Creative Commons)
Teller or the Tales (Kevin Macleod)
The Colonel (Zachariah Hickman)
Medieval War Drums (Der Wikinger)
Baroque Coffee House (Doug Maxwell, Media Right Productions)
Laendler in C Minor Hess 68 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: incompetech.com/
Dance For Wind Trio (Sir Cubworth)
If I Had a Chicken (Kevin MacLeod)
Ashton Manor - Stings by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: incompetech.com/
Baila Mi Cumbia (Jimmy Fontánez, Media Right Productions)
Brandenburg Concerto No4-1 BWV1049 - Classical Whimsical by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: incompetech.com/
Impending Boom by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: incompetech.com/
Danse Macabre - Isolated Harp by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: freepd.com/Classical/Danse%20M... Artist: incompetech.com/
Book Bag (E’s Jammy Jams)
Images:
10 Downing Street Image: Number 10 Flicker Account (Creative Commons)
Downing Street letter box image: Defence Imagery (Flickr, Creative Commons): www.flickr.com/photos/defence...
Downing Street Garden Image: Number 10 Flicker Account, Creative Commons
Green door image by Rachel Lordan
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I also just went down Downing Street as child, chatted the copper, and had his permission to touch the door of number 10. In 1966 aged 13, I could just wander into the hotels of the French and German national football teams, there for the World Cup, and attempt (language problems) to chat with the players. I still have the program with many of their autographs. My point being, just how much has changed from those days and now. Security was not really considered necessary then.
What fantastic memories to have Jonathan, thanks so much for sharing.
I recall being able to walk down Downing St. too!
I've walked over the lawn roof of Parliament House Canberra in March 1992. Unfortunately no members of the public can do that anymore either for the same reasons.
@@RangaTurk I recall walking up Downing Street in the 1950s with an aunt who lived in London. I have also walked over the roof of PH some time in the 90s. I was also able to park my father's Toyota camper in the car park underneath, without bomb sniffing dogs or other checks. I bet that's not allowed any more. When I went inside for a tour, I had to check my Swiss army knife in, not in case of terrorism, but because I might carve my initials in the woodwork!
I remember on student demonstrations in the 1970s marching past 10 Downing Street.
When I was a kid I remember walking straight through Downing Street, from Whitehall to Horse Guards Parade!! There was just a solitary copper stood at the door, and you could stop and have a chat with him and he wouldn’t just tell you to bugger off!!!
How times have changed!!!
Crazy isn’t it?! Thanks for the great comment 😉
@@Robslondon me too, we used to go and feed the ducks in st james on a sunday afternoon, walking passed 10 Downing street with half a loaf of white bread - and they used to survive
You can’t wonder at it why they have walls and gates plus to protect them now,the only people that reside in that place are country,and people ruining bastards
Didn’t the gates go up after or during the poll tax riots of the Thatcher era
@@mariapalmer5671 I thought so too until I researched the video (and I vividly remembering walking across broken glass in Whitehall the day after the riot) but apparently it was indeed 1989; a response to the IRA I guess
Rob, loving the videos about our capital city and its environs. They are a welcome distraction from insomnia, general malaise and my danged cat ( who loves to wake up earlier each day , often before the birds! )
Thank you! Glad I can help in some way 😉
I'm in Toronto but I remember when I was a teen on a school tour to Europe we walked along Downing street. Kind of sad it has to be blocked off like that. I'm sure its safer though. I love the fact that the Downing street cat has a longer and more assured tenure than any given politician who lives there.
Nice comment, thanks
Some of the Downing Street mice have had a longer residency than the Prime Ministers…
@@allangibson8494 Ahh yes, Truss The Tiny Bit Terrible. Where did that 80 billion go again? Has anyone checked the _chaise longue_ at no10?
Larry is Lovely 🐈
In the 60’s my Dad painted the door at 10 Downing Street. He said it took him forever to finish the job, because all of the tourists wanted to take his photo while facing the cameras, which he was more than happy to oblige. 📸
Ha ha! Brilliant 🤩
Thanks Rob, very interesting. When a child in the 60's I did see Downing Street on a family visit to London from Hampshire. I'm afraid I'm a Winston fan because of his efforts during the war.
I've been inside downing street and sat in that hooded chair! Was the mid 90s, my dad and me were called to collect some paperwork for my grandfather and we went inside no 10 and I remember sitting in the chair! There s photos of it too, my mums had it up on a wall since that day. Probably wouldn't happen now 😂 Nice video 👍
😄 Great comment
At least Dashwood never became PM - I mean, a boozing, licentious occupier of 10 Downing Street would be unthinkable, surely...? 😉 Thanks for all your hard work and research, Rob - another treat!
Thank you so much; it’s a pleasure as always 😊 Hope you’re keeping well.
Very well researched and illustrated vid Rob, thanks. I had a meeting in number 10 in 2015, just part of a group making representations to a govt working party, nothing fancy. I was struck by how scruffy and outdated the parts I saw were. The pics you sourced with the yellow walls looked fantastic - the insipid washed out blues and greens with yellowing gloss work I saw were nothing like that! As you enter Downing Street there's an airport security style process, in an old wooden hut near the railings. 30s job and you're through, surprisingly low tech. Once through the door, we had to leave our mobiles in a wooden pigeon hole structure in the reception area before going through into our meeting room. I was allowed to walk up the stairway with all the portraits, we weren't going that way, but we were asked if we wanted to quickly do it - be rude not to! Thanks again.
Thanks so much- and what a great comment/insight, really enjoyed reading that, thanks!
9
Fascinating comment. A building from the 1680’s still in real use. I hope someone from security sees your comment and plugs any holes.
During all my visits to London, I’ve always been distracted by the magnificent beauty of the Banqueting Hall across the street from 10 Downing Street. This video made me aware of another London historical site by a well composed history version.
Thank you, hope you’ll walk across the street & make documentary the history of the Banqueting Hall. A true National Treasure.
Thank you so much Larry. The Banqueting House is on my radar, so please do stay tuned. Thanks again.
@@Robslondon I would very much like to see a video on this. Why is it so hard to visit nowadays?
@@ImperialistRunningDo- the threat of terrorism probably.
@sian2337 I have no idea. But Buckingham Palace is open more often than the Banqueting House.
Thanks for another enjoyable and educational representation of our capital's rich history. You are a true ambassador to the capital city. I have loved every one so far.👍
Thank you so much Stephen- your kind words mean a lot to me. Stay well my friend.
I vaguely remember walking through Downing Street as a child in the early seventies.
You are a pleasure to listen to Rob, nice smooth voice, perfect for delivering interesting history.
That means a lot to me Jonathan, thank you.
@@Robslondon You are welcome Rob, keep up the good work
It was complete when you mentioned the chief mousers. 😻
😄
Love your thinly veiled swipes at a recent occupant
I couldn't possibly comment! ;-)
The sarcasm towards modern British politics is fantastic 😂
Ha ha! Thanks Laura, it's my own way of coping with the madness ;-)
That was brilliant! This was something I'd meant to research - and there it all was, done for me. And so well presented. Thank you.
Thank you so much Alice, glad to be of service! Thanks for watching 😊
Fascinating history. Thanks Rob.
Much appreciated, thank you.
You didn’t disappoint, absolutely fascinating. Love the parallels made with today, very funny, people don’t change. It was worth waiting for, can’t wait for your next post.
Thank you so much Kerry, really appreciate your kind words :-) Stay well.
Thank you so much for this and all your entertaining information. I love London and in these days of restricted or difficult travel, your videos give some much-needed vicarious relief through your tours!
It’s a pleasure, Kat- so glad I can help in some way. Many thanks and stay well.
An excellent and amusing documentary, as always, Rob. Well done. I always enjoy and learn things from your output. I remember having my photograph taken standing in front of Number 10 in the late 1960s. It's a sad reflection on our times that we can no longer walk past it.
Lovely comment, many thanks 😊
Thank you for a very nice overview of #10...lots of good info...thanks!😊
Thank you :-)
@@Robslondon you are most welcome!
Happened on this by chance and so impressed. Great research and presentation, good work mate 👏
Thank you so much Christian ☺️ Good to have you here!
Excellent presentation Rob. The layers of history are so interesting. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks Kenneth :-) Stay well.
Thanks Rob. 👍
Another great well-researched video.
Cheers Roy; much appreciated. Stay well.
Fascinating history - especially love the cats!
I just discovered your videos today with the one on the source of the Thames River. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Marsha, good to have you here! 😄
Seen this video twice and enjoyed it both times
Ah, thanks Paul
Thanks very much for this Rob. Great info and also entertaining.
Much appreciated Steve, thank you.
Wonderful video! Thanks for posting!❤❤❤
It's a pleasure Allen, thank you for watching.
Really fascinating Rob! I always learn so many new facts thanks to all the research you put in! 👍🏻😃
Thank you so much 😊
Absolutely fascinating - thanks for posting.
It’s a pleasure Paul! Thanks for watching 😉
Things you didn't think you needed to know, thanks for the time you put into these videos.
It’s a pleasure, cheers Stephen 😉
Well worth the wait. As usual lots of amazing details of key buildings in London that I had no idea about. Thanks for all the hard research to get us these Gems. Cheers Rob
It's a pleasure as always Doug. Thank you for watching and for your continued support. Stay well :-)
Great video once again. Loved it too. Thank you Robert.👍👍👍😍😍😍
Hi Sharon! Thank you as always my friend 😊 Hope you’re keeping well.
That was fascinating. Thank you for your work 👍
It’s a pleasure! Thank you for watching
Another great video. Thanks, Rob!
It’s a pleasure Michael, thanks so much for your kind words and support.
Thank you so very much for this delightful tour through your history. You all have such a rich heritage and must be very proud.
Bless you Daniel, thank you. You're very welcome- and thank you for the kind words.
Super Rob your videos are getting better every time well worth the wait,keep up the great work 👍👍
Really appreciate that Nicholas, thank you. I’m still learning as I go along; the wonderful support from good people such as yourself really spurs me on. Stay well.
@Robslondon interesting and enjoyable video.
Very informative thank you for the effort you've put into this video
It’s an absolute pleasure J W, thanks for watching
Fascinating video. Your research and delivery is very entertaining
Thank you so much Belinda 😊
How awesome!! Thanks for sharing~
Thanks Tim! Enjoy ;-)
Really informative and witty. Looking forward to watching more.
Thank you so much Lauren 😊
Excellent video Rob! First video of yours I’ve watched and have learnt much. Keep it up.
Thank you so much, good to have you here 😊 Stay well.
Great video Rob. The comments on politicians over the centuries was spot on!!
Ha ha, thanks Clive 😉
Brilliant yet again Rob.
I always assumed it was called Downing Street because it used to be home to some number of textile working factories. This was truly enlightening, and fascinating too. All delivered in your lovely cosy, friendly way Rob :)
Keep at it my man, I watch all your videos as soon as they come out!
With love from Yorkshire x
Thanks Mickey, what a lovely comment- made my day :-) Much appreciated sir; stay well and thank you as ever for your support.
@@Robslondon You can always count on it Rob me ol' mucker :)
@@mickey4125 ;-)
You're soooooo good ... much appreciated
Ah, thank you so much Alannah :-) Stay well.
Very well done, thanks. I particularly liked your use of music.
Much appreciated Huey, thanks 😉
I enjoy your videos. Thanks for letting me know about this option. It is an easy way to support good content. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Kevin
Kevin, I've just seen your incredibly kind donation- thank you so much sir, truly appreciate it! Stay well and thanks again 🙂
Many thanks Rob a very interesting vid. I was lucky to have been able to walk down the street and look at the house before Downing Street was Blocked off 🙏👌
Thanks so much Louise :-) A good memory to have too! Thanks and stay well.
@@Robslondon Many thanks Rob yes you too. Looking forward to the next vid 👌
@@louisep4805 😊
Great Stuff again Rob... Your videos are such a great resource for information on our capital. They should be all linked to the Tourist board!
Thank you so much ☺️
Terrific video Rob. It is very interesting and well researched. I had no idea of the history and facts of Downing.
Much appreciated Thomas, thank you 😊
The algorithm provided me with this gem. Me being an Anglophile (I’m sadly not British 😞) I must say that this channel is providing me with some interesting facts I didn’t know. I liked and subscribed and am looking forward to further videos.
Thank you much! It’s good to have you here 😊 Appreciate the kind words.
Fascinating. Thank you. Subscribed.
Much appreciated, thank you- good to have you here :-) Stay well.
Thank you for a fascinating history of No 10 Downing Steet.
I have UK ancestry & grew up reading Georgette Heyer etc, with many stories being located around London. Mum & I are watching your videos with much interest.
Lovely comment, thank you 😊 Stay well.
Everything I eulogised about with your last video applies yet again - in spades and with knobs on! Professional, engaging and entertaining. Your work is of a uniformly high standard. 😃👏
Gosh, thank you so much Brian. Truly appreciate your kind words and support sir. Stay well.
This was a great video love the history. Thank you
Thank you Karen :-)
Thanks for this its really interesting 😊 lots of stuff I didn't know
Thanks Roland ☺️
Really fascinating! So much great information!
It’s a pleasure; thanks for watching 😊
One of your better videos I must say. History and entertainment go hand in hand when done right.
Much appreciated Patrick, thank you. Stay well.
Brilliant vid Rob, keep em coming
Will do, and many thanks! Stay well
Very interesting and enjoyable post. I learned a lot, thank you
It's a pleasure Lesley, thank you for watching :-)
*My wife's a Brit (Northern Strong) and I'am a Yank....love this stuff!!!!*
Much appreciated, thank you very much indeed!
Good job! Thanks for the informative video
Cheers Bob; it's a pleasure. Stay well ;-)
Thanks for another great video.
It’s a pleasure! Thanks for watching
Thank you for this extremely interesting video. I am of an age to remember having my picture taken outside Number 10, it was just taken for granted in those days that anyone could just stroll by. What a shame that so many historical places have now been cordoned off, necessarily so, unfortunately. I have now subscribed to your channel. Thanks again.
Marie, it’s an absolute pleasure, thank you so much for watching.
And thank you too for the kind words and also for subscribing; that means a lot to me and it’s great to have you here.
Stay well and thanks again 😊
Thank you Rob!!
Another fantastic video Rob. So good to see all the other scoundrels that have occupied the street. Also glad you saved the best until last 🐱
Thanks so much Paul :-) Stay well.
Looking forward to watching it after Work tonight!!!
Many thanks Doug, hope you like it ;-)
Great video, thanks for the info 👍
It's a pleasure, thanks.
Love your videos!! thank you !
Really appreciate that Lace, thank you so much :-) Stay well.
@@Robslondon thank you! you too.
Happy Christmas Larry. You're the one constant in this government. Thanks buddy 😘
😀
hi Rob
Thoroughly enjoyed this one sir, packed full of historical gems.
Loved the fact that it was once a brewery...did it have a party gate to enter ?
all the best
mike
a
Ha ha! Cheers Mike ;-) Stay well.
Watched this tonight Rob, and I have to say that it's got to be one of your best videos. I enjoyed it from the start, right through to the end. I already knew a bit of the history, but the amazing, extra information that you have searched out, beats anything that I knew.
As for my favourite resident, it has to be Larry, the runner up would have to be Sir Winston, the epitome of Britishness.
Brilliant work Rob.
Wonderful comment Barry, thank you so much- and excellent call on your choices for best resident!
Thanks as ever for your support sir; much appreciated. Stay well.
Now this was a very well done presentation. Thank you. RS. Canada
Many thanks Richard :-) Stay well.
Nice work again Rob, glad to see you didn't let the recent heatwave put you off your stride. I once met Neville Chamberlaine's great grandson just after he'd finished university. A really nice lad. The beauty of London is that no matter how long you live there and how well you think you know it, there's always something interesting to learn.
Lovely comment, thank you! Funnily enough I once met Harold Macmillan’s great granddaughter. She was lovely, told me how, even in old age, he had horrific nightmares about his experience of WWI, very humbling.
Thanks for a very interesting presentation.😁👌👏👏👏👏
Many thanks Terry!
Another great video. I’m so pleases I found your site. I can remember going down Downing Street on a school trip from Cumberland in about 1981 😊
Bless you Andrew 😊 Thanks so much for the kind words; it’s great to have you here! Stay well.
Thank you Rob! Great presentation! So informative! So interesting! I have twice been to No. 10 in recent years, and we saw Larry the Downing Street cat!
Thanks Keith! And what a great claim to fame 😉 Stay well.
Love the sense of humor. Well done!!
Cheers Teddy ;-)
Hi Rob, I will try to keep my comment respectful! When I was a young visitor to London from New Zealand in 1973 I stood outside the door to 10 Downing Street. I still have the photo. When I moved to London to work in 1978 I think there was a barrier across the road then, however, I am not too sure. Anyway, all the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
Cheers Scott! 😉
Blimey, alot of detail here, must have took a while researching that. Must have been good back in the day when u could just walk down there as a normal st. Very very good video once again Rob👍
Much appreciated Dave; cheers ;-) Hope you're keeping well.
Your vids always hold my interest to the end. Not many manage that.
Thank you so much Simon 😊
I adore your wonderfully witty narration 😁
Thanks so much Kathryn, that means a lot to me. Stay well 😊
Hi from Illinois, USA. Rob, I just found and now have subscribed to your channel 😁 l look forward to enjoying your work and I’ll be binge watching your previous presentation.
Very entertaining and educational. Thank you!
Thank you 😊
Il so glad I’ve discovered your videos there a niche that hits just the right spot
Thanks Matt! Good to have you here.
Fantastic video Rob! I had no clue of this interesting history and wonderfully told as always! I find it amazing that these were the accommodations during such a long period of empire building and the center of so much global power and influence.
Lovely comment, thank you so much 😊
Excellent video.
When I was a little kid, my cousin and I used to go along to Downing St - mostly to cheek the police officers (we were horrible children). One time, a policeman caught us and threatened to lock us up in the jail in the Big Be tower, which we thought would have been the best thing in the world. But then we realised that my Aunt Catherine would have to come and bail us out, so the idea lost its attraction and we started going to the 'Way In' section at Harrods instead because it had brilliant toys.
What a wonderful comment, really enjoyed reading that! Cheers Darrien!
Excellent and informative video. Remember my grandparents walking me along Downing Street in the very early 1970s
Thanks Paul, lovely memory to have 😊
Very nice work.
Thank you!
Very informative. Thanks
Thank you Carlos.
thoroughly enjoyed your video and will look forward and backward to videos in your timeline
Much appreciated Peter, thank you.
Little bit of trivia about 10 Downing Street. Before it became the sporadic and later permanent residence of the Prime Minister from 1735 onwards, a Lower Saxon Count, Johann Caspar Graf von Bothmer, had been working for the Hannoverian Elector Georg Ludwig, later to be George I of England, as an emissary to multiple countries and from 1720 until 1732 had his office for the German/Hannoverian Chancery in 10 Downing Street. He also commisioned an estate in a small town in Northern Germany between Lübeck and Wismar, "Schloss Bothmer" in Klütz. Always worth a visit.
Ah, interesting! Thank you.
Excellent, detailed account. Thank you.
Thank you so much Hélène 🙂
An excellent video Rob.
p.s. Like Downing Street, my postcode also begins with SW1. But I think that’s as close as I’m ever going to get to walking along that particular street!!!!!
Much appreciated, thank you :-)
Ha ha! ;-)
Well done, as a former son of NYC, who spent his earliest years not far from Downing St in Brooklyn I never had made the connection. However, you've been unfair to Sir Francis Dashwood. Yes he was a rake and a rotter but he was not without redeeming qualities. The caves used for the Hellfire Club, outside High Wycombe were dug as a way to employ locals during what we would today call a recession. He also with Ben Franklyn had a hand in crafting the book of Common Prayer. We stayed at B&B once with the intent of visiting his home. Our landlord a a Yorkshire man relocated to warmer climes had an interesting name , William Blake.
Thanks Marty, yes I do worry I was being a bit harsh on him 😉 Interesting stuff; thanks for the wonderful comment and stay well.
Great video many thanks
Much appreciated Luke, thanks.
Really interesting video. As a boy in 1980 I had a chance to walk past number 10 Downing street. The next time I visited London in 1982 the barriers were in place blocking access to the street.
Great comment Steve- and thanks for confirming the 1982 date ;-) Stay well.
GOOD GOD! I LOVE BRITISH HISTORY ♥️ BRING IT ON! LOVE ❤️ FROM TENNESSEE, USA 🇺🇸 ❤️
😁 Thanks so much Rhonda! Good to have you here.
@@Robslondon GOD BLESS!
Fascinating as ever.
Thank you so much Joncl 😊
Fabulous! I did get to walk down there in the late 80s. Love the history of the name of the street. How appropriate could it possibly be! Well done! 😊
Thank you so much 😊