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.
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!
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. 📸
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.
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!!!
@@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
@@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
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.👍
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 👍
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.
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.
@@Robslondon What I remember is christians going to Downing Street 10 to demonstrate their oppsition on her rascist remark,this is for me greater than Dawning Street.They were praying on their way to the Prime Minister's office.The evning before i felt bad about it,since that time I started to like the English.
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.
Great video. Very insightful. The history of the power station is incredible. It’s somewhat depressing that it had to become a shopping centre and luxury flats, but the redevelopment is beautiful. It’s been done so well.
I've just discovered your videos. I visited the UK in 1988, staying mostly in London but also venturing into the countryside and Cardiff, Wales. My dad and I are both Anglophiles and we love history. I find your videos interesting and entertaining. ❤ Love from North Carolina, USA. 🩵💙
I remember walking along Downing Street to Number 10 in the summer of 1983 (!) on my first visit to the UK. It was not possible to walk along the sidewalk immediately in front of the buildings due to the barrier that was parallel to the fronts of the building but visitors COULD walk the entire length of the street on the opposite sidewalk. (I'm Canadian but I think the British equivalent of "sidewalk" is either "pavement" or "footpath".) When I wanted to repeat this excursion in 1991, the entire street had been blocked off to all except those who had the appropriate security passes.
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 🙏👌
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 🇦🇺
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! )
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.
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.
Thank you for the video. My parents took me to Downing Street the evening after the 1979 election, and we waited there until Maggie Thatcher appeared and waved. I have been in for official visits since then. Mrs Thatcher commissioned a lot of refurbishment to the public rooms towards the end of her time in office.
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.
This is the second History of 10 Downing Street I have watched this week. They complement each other, as the other video was about the architecture and the interior design.
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 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.
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!
One of our sub offices was located in the basement of HM Treasury on the corner of Parliament Street and Parliament Square. On behalf of HMG we organised the repair and maintenance of many government buildings. Your video shows the fine rooms and staircase within No.10 but areas which are not seen by visiting dignitaries are very bland, even shoddy on the upper floors. You can walk between all three dwellings internally. My first visit I was told that you go to the door and it will open. I did and it didn’t, I was just about to go for the famous lion head knocker when it at last opened. The guy responsible for opening the door had been distracted from his screen and didn’t notice my arrival. Phew!
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.
Then a 21 year-old (1962) my pal and I, Joe Gilbert, drove to London from birmingham. I remember it being night time or at least it was dark. We drove into Downing Street, turned around at the top end and a policeman, who was bending down at the time, just looked up and glanced at us as we past the front door for the second time on our way out. Oh my, Britain was so much different, then.
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!
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 😊
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.
The first and only time in Downing street was in the mid-80s doing a Guard of Honor for some visiting person to No 10. Was struck by just how small the street is. All ways knew No 10 had a different number in the past but forgot what that no was until now, All the best.
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.
In the early 1970s my family visited London and the only evidence that 10 Downing st was anything official was the presence of 2 Bobbies outside the door. When I visited again 10 years later there was a much greater security presence.
I am sure I saw n. 10 before the gate, in 1989 on my first visit to England. My late husband also remembered seeing it in the 60's as a boy travelling to London with his father and parked outside with a large tanker truck. As an adult he became the trade union activist for housing for the city of Westminster.
I thoroughly enjoyed your video, which I have a personal interest in. You see I'm closely related to Sir George Downing. His parents were Emmanuel Downing and Lucy Winthrop. Lucy was the sister of Anne who was married to Thomas Fones. Their daughter, whom I descend from, was Elizabeth, who is known to history as The Winthrop Woman. Lucy and Anne's brother was John founder and government of Massachusetts in which Harvard is located. Prior to watching your video I knew very little about Sir George other than Downing Street is named after him and that I am closely related to him. So I found what you had to say about him most interesting. Thank you.
@@RobslondonSir George wasn't my direct ancestor, but a first cousin to my ancestor, Elizabeth Fones, whom Anya Seton made famous in her 1958 historical novel, The Winthrop Woman. Elizabeth's mother, Ann Winthrop, was the sister of Sir George's mother, Lucy. Thus Elizabeth and Sir George were first cousins. One more thing, Elizabeth came to America settling first in Massachusetts, then in Connecticut and finally on Long Island, New York. I live in Ontario, Canada.
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
My first visit to London was in 1973 and I walked right by the No. 10 door unimpeded. It was a long spell between visits, and the full black bar barricade was up the next time. Too bad.
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👍
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
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. 😃👏
Another brilliant video, thanks for sharing. Drove down Downing street in the early 70s. This was in my mates work van, we all were all well over the top with beer after the pubs closed. The copper outside No 10 stopped us for a chat he was very friendly and with great delight showed us his hand gun. Oh my how times have changed.
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!
I delivered Margaret Thatcher's despatch red box to 10 Downing Street in 1980 and also uses the downstairs loo. I also delivered The Queen's personal red despatch box to Buckingham Palace in the same year. I am very important indeed.
@@Robslondon It was an otherwise quite horrible factory job in Battersea called Barrow Hepburn. They make and refurbish ministerial attaché cases. I escaped the tedium in the company's Wednesday delivery van.
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.
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.
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.
21:05 Okayyy, that makes sense now. I remember delivering to 10 Downing st in 1998, and I had the feeling it felt rather sterile and not much like a home at all...granted, I didn't go much further than the foyer, so I didnt see the upper levels. I remember it was pretty casual delivering there, only problem was I couldn't bring my bike in. I always imagined the various tourists and onlookers wondering who this scruffy punk rocker was, and why he was being escorted into the Prime Minister's residence. I've also delivered to the Canadian PM home, which was rather boring and uneventful.The most curious, though, was delivering to Merkel's residence when she was Chancellor of Germany. She lives in an unassuming apartment block, albeit in a great location directly across from the Pergamon museum, with views from the living room of the museum. Continuing on the unassuming theme, it's just a regular apartment up on the second or third floor with random neighbours, some of whom I've also delivered to, so I know its not a facade. The only thing of special notice is the cops permanently stationed outside, and a almost school class looking desk and chair under the stairwell, which sometimes had someone sitting there and sometimes didnt...my favourite thing, though, was the mailbox...a standard bank of a dozen or so mailboxes like you would see in any apartment house, only one of them says, casually, A.Merkel (and her husband J. Sauer. I was never much of a fan nor a detractor of Merkel, but this basic humility really earned them some respect from me.
I was taken to Downing Street by my dad, who also took me to Stonehenge when you were able to climb all over it. I think kids now miss out nowadays. Great video btw
I must say I did wonder about Downing Street as it always looked on tv that you could just drive right up to it. And I have to respect any government that says, "Yes, we need a cat." ❤
I was lucky to be able to walk up and down Downing Street. We were on a school tour in 1991, and one of the guards said we could come in and look around. I picked up a twig as a souvenir, and got roasted by the teacher because the roof snipers might not like it 😆
Rob , yet another fascinating and detailed video. So Downing looks like being being the first rogue builder, maybe a new phrase could be built around that. As it’s known for its parties in times gone by and in present times, could it due to that, that we have the Conservative Party and the Labour Party if your in number 10 you have to party?
I went pass no 10 on a few occasions, my mother used to work for a while at no 11 as a scrutineer and she met Winston Churchill at a function at no 10, before moving to work at the Treasury.
@@Robslondon My mum had told me she once dropped a top secret file out of a window that fell into No 10's garden, she had to quickly get someone to retrieve it. She told me Winston Churchill was a grumpy old man when she met him, she was young at the time when she started work at no 11 around the end of WW2, she was told after the war had finished that she was not academically qualified to do the work she was doing, and was not allowed to stay at No 11, In those days, when a woman got married whey were not allowed national security work for the Foreign Office "marriage bar", so they received a lump some of money 'Dowry' that enabled her to buy a house. She was forced to leave the FO. They moved her to the main Treasury building in Whitehall. Women after the war went backwards as the old boys network restarted. Do things really change behind the scenes? One thing she did like at No 10 were all the portraits going up the stairs. The big thing that used to grate her was every year at Horse guards parade they practised the same old songs all the time in the summer, just when they needed the windows open for ventilation.
@@Shanghai_Knife_Dude TY my error, I meant to write Dowry. I have updated my comment. In those days, when a woman got married whey were not allowed national security work for the Foreign Office so they received a lump some of money and she went to work for the Treasury. "marriage bar"
By virtue of my grandmother's birth in Wales, I have both UK and US nationalities. In the 1970s I would visit my grandaunts and granduncle in Wales and liked to go to London to sightsee. It's interesting that 9, 10, and 11 Downing Street are all on the same side.
In the news they always show that same shot of the front door and for years I wondered why the Prime Minister had to live in a poky little terraced house!
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.
I honestly love how modest it is compared to other nation's central addresses.
:-)
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 🤩
Now it just gets removed, refurbished and replaced with a replica over alternating summers.
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 🐈
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
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'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
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 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 remember as a boy (in the late 70s/early 80s) being taken to Downing Street on a school trip and standing opposite.
On 04 May 1979, I was in the crowd in front of No10 to see Thatcher take office and hear her Assisi speech!
Great feature on Downing St, Rob
Wow! Cheers Nigel
@@Robslondon What I remember is christians going to Downing Street 10 to demonstrate their oppsition on her rascist remark,this is for me greater than Dawning Street.They were praying on their way to the Prime Minister's office.The evning before i felt bad about it,since that time I started to like the English.
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.
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.
I vaguely remember walking through Downing Street as a child in the early seventies.
Another excellent tour of your famous city and one of its iconic addresses. Thank`s so much.
Thank you! You're very welcome.
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
Great documentary 👏
Thanks so much JM 😊
Great video. Very insightful. The history of the power station is incredible. It’s somewhat depressing that it had to become a shopping centre and luxury flats, but the redevelopment is beautiful. It’s been done so well.
Thank you
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 😊
It was complete when you mentioned the chief mousers. 😻
😄
I've just discovered your videos. I visited the UK in 1988, staying mostly in London but also venturing into the countryside and Cardiff, Wales. My dad and I are both Anglophiles and we love history. I find your videos interesting and entertaining. ❤
Love from North Carolina, USA. 🩵💙
Wonderful comment, thank you so much. Always nice to have American friends here 😉🇺🇸
I remember walking along Downing Street to Number 10 in the summer of 1983 (!) on my first visit to the UK. It was not possible to walk along the sidewalk immediately in front of the buildings due to the barrier that was parallel to the fronts of the building but visitors COULD walk the entire length of the street on the opposite sidewalk. (I'm Canadian but I think the British equivalent of "sidewalk" is either "pavement" or "footpath".) When I wanted to repeat this excursion in 1991, the entire street had been blocked off to all except those who had the appropriate security passes.
Great memory, thanks for sharing
Fascinating history. Thanks Rob.
Much appreciated, thank you.
Love your thinly veiled swipes at a recent occupant
I couldn't possibly comment! ;-)
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 😊
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! 😉
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 😉
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.
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!
Thank you for the video. My parents took me to Downing Street the evening after the 1979 election, and we waited there until Maggie Thatcher appeared and waved. I have been in for official visits since then. Mrs Thatcher commissioned a lot of refurbishment to the public rooms towards the end of her time in office.
Really enjoyed reading your comment James, what wonderful experiences 😊 Thanks and stay well.
Seen this video twice and enjoyed it both times
Ah, thanks Paul
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 😊
Great video Rob. The comments on politicians over the centuries was spot on!!
Ha ha, thanks Clive 😉
This is the second History of 10 Downing Street I have watched this week. They complement each other, as the other video was about the architecture and the interior design.
Thank you David
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.
*My wife's a Brit (Northern Strong) and I'am a Yank....love this stuff!!!!*
Much appreciated, thank you very much indeed!
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.
Thank you for a very nice overview of #10...lots of good info...thanks!😊
Thank you :-)
@@Robslondon you are most welcome!
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.
One of our sub offices was located in the basement of HM Treasury on the corner of Parliament Street and Parliament Square. On behalf of HMG we organised the repair and maintenance of many government buildings. Your video shows the fine rooms and staircase within No.10 but areas which are not seen by visiting dignitaries are very bland, even shoddy on the upper floors. You can walk between all three dwellings internally. My first visit I was told that you go to the door and it will open. I did and it didn’t, I was just about to go for the famous lion head knocker when it at last opened. The guy responsible for opening the door had been distracted from his screen and didn’t notice my arrival. Phew!
Thanks for sharing this- fascinating insight! 😉
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!
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.
Well done.
Thanks Trudy
I luckily had access to Downing Street while visiting London in 1976. Thanks, Rob, for another extremely interesting and informative video 😊👍
Ah, thank you so much Ruth! 😉
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.
Then a 21 year-old (1962) my pal and I, Joe Gilbert, drove to London from birmingham. I remember it being night time or at least it was dark. We drove into Downing Street, turned around at the top end and a policeman, who was bending down at the time, just looked up and glanced at us as we past the front door for the second time on our way out. Oh my, Britain was so much different, then.
What a great comment and memory Ron! Thanks for sharing.
Larry the cat is the most worthy occupant,, and i shall certainly vote for him in the next general election
Ha ha! Wish we could 😉🐱
Larry has been ejected by the current Prime Idiot, nobody knows where he is, and a LOT of people want to know.
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.
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 😊
Very well done, thanks. I particularly liked your use of music.
Much appreciated Huey, thanks 😉
The sarcasm towards modern British politics is fantastic 😂
Ha ha! Thanks Laura, it's my own way of coping with the madness ;-)
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.
The first and only time in Downing street was in the mid-80s doing a Guard of Honor for some visiting person to No 10. Was struck by just how small the street is. All ways knew No 10 had a different number in the past but forgot what that no was until now, All the best.
Great comment David, many thanks. Stay well sir.
Excellent video yes I walked through Downing street many times as I was born in the 1950s.
Thank you ☺️
Very nice work.
Thank you!
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.
In the early 1970s my family visited London and the only evidence that 10 Downing st was anything official was the presence of 2 Bobbies outside the door. When I visited again 10 years later there was a much greater security presence.
Thanks Brian- great comment, thanks for sharing.
Excellent presentation Rob. The layers of history are so interesting. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks Kenneth :-) Stay well.
I am sure I saw n. 10 before the gate, in 1989 on my first visit to England. My late husband also remembered seeing it in the 60's as a boy travelling to London with his father and parked outside with a large tanker truck. As an adult he became the trade union activist for housing for the city of Westminster.
What a lovely comment Helene, thank you for sharing 😊
I thoroughly enjoyed your video, which I have a personal interest in. You see I'm closely related to Sir George Downing. His parents were Emmanuel Downing and Lucy Winthrop. Lucy was the sister of Anne who was married to Thomas Fones. Their daughter, whom I descend from, was Elizabeth, who is known to history as The Winthrop Woman. Lucy and Anne's brother was John founder and government of Massachusetts in which Harvard is located. Prior to watching your video I knew very little about Sir George other than Downing Street is named after him and that I am closely related to him. So I found what you had to say about him most interesting. Thank you.
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me… and I hope I wasn’t to harsh on your ancestor! Thanks again and stay well.
@@RobslondonSir George wasn't my direct ancestor, but a first cousin to my ancestor, Elizabeth Fones, whom Anya Seton made famous in her 1958 historical novel, The Winthrop Woman. Elizabeth's mother, Ann Winthrop, was the sister of Sir George's mother, Lucy. Thus Elizabeth and Sir George were first cousins.
One more thing, Elizabeth came to America settling first in Massachusetts, then in Connecticut and finally on Long Island, New York. I live in Ontario, Canada.
Thank you Rob!!
Very interesting and very well put together.
Thank you Roderic. Hope you’re keeping well.
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 ;-)
I can remember walking on Downing St in September 1974. It was a great short-cut to St. James Park.
Yes, was thinking that Jim when filming this- would've been very handy to use as a cut-through; have to go the long way around now!
You're soooooo good ... much appreciated
Ah, thank you so much Alannah :-) Stay well.
A positively delightful video. Thank you.
Thank you so much 😄
My first visit to London was in 1973 and I walked right by the No. 10 door unimpeded. It was a long spell between visits, and the full black bar barricade was up the next time. Too bad.
Good comment, thanks Peter. Crazy to think there was a time when you could do that… 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! 😄
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.
Really informative and witty. Looking forward to watching more.
Thank you so much Lauren 😊
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.
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.
Another brilliant video, thanks for sharing.
Drove down Downing street in the early 70s.
This was in my mates work van, we all were all well over the top with beer after the pubs closed.
The copper outside No 10 stopped us for a chat he was very friendly and with great delight showed us his hand gun.
Oh my how times have changed.
Thanks so much... and what a great comment! Such different times... Stay well ;-)
Things you didn't think you needed to know, thanks for the time you put into these videos.
It’s a pleasure, cheers Stephen 😉
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.
Absolutely fascinating - thanks for posting.
It’s a pleasure Paul! Thanks for watching 😉
I delivered Margaret Thatcher's despatch red box to 10 Downing Street in 1980 and also uses the downstairs loo. I also delivered The Queen's personal red despatch box to Buckingham Palace in the same year. I am very important indeed.
Great comment thanks, and what a claim to fame!
@@Robslondon It was an otherwise quite horrible factory job in Battersea called Barrow Hepburn. They make and refurbish ministerial attaché cases. I escaped the tedium in the company's Wednesday delivery van.
Thanks for a very interesting presentation.😁👌👏👏👏👏
Many thanks Terry!
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.
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.
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 😊
Very enjoyable and educational video!
Much appreciated Paul, thanks 😊
21:05 Okayyy, that makes sense now. I remember delivering to 10 Downing st in 1998, and I had the feeling it felt rather sterile and not much like a home at all...granted, I didn't go much further than the foyer, so I didnt see the upper levels. I remember it was pretty casual delivering there, only problem was I couldn't bring my bike in. I always imagined the various tourists and onlookers wondering who this scruffy punk rocker was, and why he was being escorted into the Prime Minister's residence. I've also delivered to the Canadian PM home, which was rather boring and uneventful.The most curious, though, was delivering to Merkel's residence when she was Chancellor of Germany. She lives in an unassuming apartment block, albeit in a great location directly across from the Pergamon museum, with views from the living room of the museum. Continuing on the unassuming theme, it's just a regular apartment up on the second or third floor with random neighbours, some of whom I've also delivered to, so I know its not a facade. The only thing of special notice is the cops permanently stationed outside, and a almost school class looking desk and chair under the stairwell, which sometimes had someone sitting there and sometimes didnt...my favourite thing, though, was the mailbox...a standard bank of a dozen or so mailboxes like you would see in any apartment house, only one of them says, casually, A.Merkel (and her husband J. Sauer. I was never much of a fan nor a detractor of Merkel, but this basic humility really earned them some respect from me.
Interesting comment! Thanks ;-)
I was taken to Downing Street by my dad, who also took me to Stonehenge when you were able to climb all over it. I think kids now miss out nowadays.
Great video btw
Thanks so much, and lovely memories you have there 😊 Stay well
The history of the building is magnificent not so much the residents!😳
Yep, well said! :-D
History is fascinating, this is a good story. Thanks!
Thank you :-)
Unbelievable you Could actually stand outside Downing Street up until 1982
Yep! 😉
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 😊
I must say I did wonder about Downing Street as it always looked on tv that you could just drive right up to it. And I have to respect any government that says, "Yes, we need a cat." ❤
Thanks 😉
Another great video. Thanks, Rob!
It’s a pleasure Michael, thanks so much for your kind words and support.
I was lucky to be able to walk up and down Downing Street. We were on a school tour in 1991, and one of the guards said we could come in and look around. I picked up a twig as a souvenir, and got roasted by the teacher because the roof snipers might not like it 😆
Brilliant! 🤣
Wonderful video! Thanks for posting!❤❤❤
It's a pleasure Allen, thank you for watching.
Rob , yet another fascinating and detailed video. So Downing looks like being being the first rogue builder, maybe a new phrase could be built around that. As it’s known for its parties in times gone by and in present times, could it due to that, that we have the Conservative Party and the Labour Party if your in number 10 you have to party?
Ha ha, great comment, thanks so much Butch! Hope you're keeping well.
I went pass no 10 on a few occasions, my mother used to work for a while at no 11 as a scrutineer and she met Winston Churchill at a function at no 10, before moving to work at the Treasury.
Wow!
@@Robslondon My mum had told me she once dropped a top secret file out of a window that fell into No 10's garden, she had to quickly get someone to retrieve it. She told me Winston Churchill was a grumpy old man when she met him, she was young at the time when she started work at no 11 around the end of WW2, she was told after the war had finished that she was not academically qualified to do the work she was doing, and was not allowed to stay at No 11, In those days, when a woman got married whey were not allowed national security work for the Foreign Office "marriage bar", so they received a lump some of money 'Dowry' that enabled her to buy a house. She was forced to leave the FO. They moved her to the main Treasury building in Whitehall. Women after the war went backwards as the old boys network restarted. Do things really change behind the scenes?
One thing she did like at No 10 were all the portraits going up the stairs.
The big thing that used to grate her was every year at Horse guards parade they practised the same old songs all the time in the summer, just when they needed the windows open for ventilation.
@@favesongslist diary to buy a house?
@@Shanghai_Knife_Dude TY my error, I meant to write Dowry. I have updated my comment.
In those days, when a woman got married whey were not allowed national security work for the Foreign Office so they received a lump some of money and she went to work for the Treasury.
"marriage bar"
By virtue of my grandmother's birth in Wales, I have both UK and US nationalities. In the 1970s I would visit my grandaunts and granduncle in Wales and liked to go to London to sightsee. It's interesting that 9, 10, and 11 Downing Street are all on the same side.
Fascinating video. Your research and delivery is very entertaining
Thank you so much Belinda 😊
In the news they always show that same shot of the front door and for years I wondered why the Prime Minister had to live in a poky little terraced house!
😂
Just superb Rob in research and execution. You would shame the BBC. When I respect a Historian it's saying quite a lot.
What a wonderful and inspiring comment.
That’s so kind of you to say, John. Many thanks indeed. Stay well sir.
The most worthy resident, besides Churchill, was Jim Hacker.
😉
How awesome!! Thanks for sharing~
Thanks Tim! Enjoy ;-)