10 Downing Street Tour
August 3rd, 2025Topdogdays was fortunate to successful apply to tickets in the 10 Downing Street Ballot under the Open House Festival a few years back. Whilst we hadn’t been invited to see the Prime Minister to discuss tourism or other such world events, (mind, we’re always agreeable if the invitation comes my way), but rather was successful in a recent ballot run by Open House London; we have to say it was better than winning the lottery! Find out how you too could enjoy a FREE tour of Downing Street house & gardens within our guide below.
10 Downing Street Tour; Open House Festival
Billed as the capital’s largest annual festival of architecture and design, Open House Festival London gives the public free access to many of London’s historic & iconic buildings around the city. Whilst the vast majority of the buildings open on a first-come-first-served basis, a few of the most popular attractions require participants to apply via a ballot. Open House London runs every year during mid September offering entry to hundred historic houses, government buildings, museums & private homes including 10 Downing Street.
10 Downing Street
Open House Festival; 10 Downing Street Tour
A few years back, we successfully applied for tickets for the 10 Downing Street tour and won 2 tickets for the morning tour. Excited? we couldn’t quite believe our luck. Joining us on our journey of 10 Downing Street were 3 enthusiastic tour guides, each of whom focused upon different aspects of the building.
Our first guide was drawn from the Government Art Collection that provides the art work found within 10 Downing Street & many other UK government buildings around the world. Second up was a conservation expert who focused on the history, design & preservation of the building. Our third guide came from 10 Downing Street itself who provided anecdotal observations into the workings of the people within the building. Their interest in their subject matched our own to the extent that they obligingly extended the hour long tour to over 2 and half hours! You could not have hoped for better guides.
As we walked through the front door of Number 10 Downing Street, the proverbial hairs on the back of our neck began to move. Immediately all media devices were placed within an old fashioned wooden pigeon hole storage area located close to the front door. As even Ministers & advisers are instructed to leave their phones here, this didn’t seem the moment to suggest Topdogdays readers might be interested in a couple of interior shots. Wasn’t going to happen.
As we moved through the rooms, our guides brought to life the stories behind the rooms and the political characters that have shaped our history through the years. We slowly made our way through to the Cabinet Room, pausing outside in The Garden before taking the Grand Staircase up to the State Rooms. To walk freely through rooms, notably seen as the backdrop for various Prime Ministers during official engagements/governmental work, was a unique experience and a dream come true for my accompanying 12 year old.
Mind, I just had to take them up on the chance to use the Downing Street toilet – well, it’s all part of the Topdogdays experience!
10 Downing Street Tour
10 Downing Street Tour; 10 Interesting Facts From Our Tour
1. Whilst the well known black brickwork seen to the front of the building was original caused by soot pollution, the bricks are now simply re-painted black to match the original look of the building.
2. The Prime Minister’s chair within the cabinet room is thought to be located in the middle of the table, (rather than head of the table), as it is closest to the fireplace. An important factor before central heating was invented!
3. Within the garden of 10 Downing Street, you’ll currently find a Barbara Hepworth statue, the iconic rose garden and a very ordinary looking swing-set.
4. Whilst portraits of every Prime Minister line the walls of the Grand Staircase, set within chronological order, there is only room for around 50 more pictures.
5. Damage to the outside of the building remains, (deliberately), visible following a mortar attack on 10 Downing Street in 1991.
6. Around 200 people work within 10 Downing Street; it’s definitely bigger than you think!
7. Emergency evacuation plans for 10 Downing Street include the 2 Turner paintings located within the White Drawing Room, (currently valued at £15 million & £17 million).
8. The Study was revamped during Tony Blair’s time in office where he left 6 small bumble bees, one for each of the family, at the top of the white bookcases. Apparently the bee is a firm favourite with Cherie.
9. Unfortunately 10 Downing Street lies above boggy ground that causes frequent sighs from those commissioned to look after the building.
10. Larry the cat is alive and well who even provides signed autographs on request.
You can find more information over at Open House Festival.
10 Downing Street Tour
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My granddaughter age 7 would love this experience. She is having a hard time as parents splitting up so would be such a wonderful treat.
Sorry to hear that Jacqueline, I’m not sure what the lower age limit, (if any) is for the 10 Downing Street tour but I’m sure they will clarify this should you be successful in the ballot, Liz
Hi, how long was the tour of 10 Downing Street? Was it the full 2 hours indicated by the ballot entry? Thanks.
Hi, our tour of 10 Downing Street was from a number of years ago. At that time the tour was billed as an hour long experience but it went over this time quite considerable – we weren’t complaining as it was fascinating! This year the Downing Street tour is billed as a 2 hour experience & I would suggest that the timing is a more accurate reflection of the duration of the tour, Liz.
Hello, I live in a Care Home; and some of the residents – together with 2 of the staff – want to visit and go inside 10 Downing Street.
Please advise on this.
Many thanks for your help,
Keith.
Hi Keith, we were fortunate to visit 10 Downing Street a few years after successfully been chosen through a ticket ballot run by Open House London. Open House London runs every year where over 500 historic houses, government buildings, museums & private homes, many of which are not normally open to the public, open their doors free of charge. Some of the most popular attractions use a randomly selected ticket ballot to limit numbers. Unfortunately 10 Downing Street hasn’t been taking part in this scheme over the past few years but worth keeping an eye out next year to see the full range of settings participating, Liz