28 December 2006
Ever wondered what it looks like behind the famous front door of 10 Downing Street?
Well now everyone can find out with the launch of an exciting new interactive tour on the Prime Minister’s website.
Developed using cutting-edge technology, visitors to the site are able to take a peek around one of the world’s most historic buildings.
With just a click of your mouse, you can swoop down the Grand Staircase with its portraits of past PMs, take a virtual wander around the beautiful State Rooms or see inside the Cabinet Room, where so many important decisions have been made.
Users get a 360-degree perspective of each of the public areas, can zoom in on works of art and find out fascinating facts about the interior design.
Welcoming the launch of the tour, Tony Blair said:
"This is an excellent way of showing the tremendous history of this building. I feel very lucky to live and work here and if we can share just a fraction of the fascination of this extraordinary place, then this tour will entrance a great many people online."
A Downing Street spokesperson added:
"This year has seen the Downing Street website grow and develop - with the introduction of podcasts, e-petitions and more online interviews and webchats. In 2007 we will build on these initiatives, with greater interactivity and access for the public to the work of the Prime Minister."
Aral Balkan, the founder and director of Ariaware, and a renowned expert in the field developed the tour. He used the latest Flash multimedia software (although a Flash-free version of the tour is also available).
He said:
"Working on this has been very exciting and a great privilege. Downing Street is an extraordinary place and I hope to have captured the real sense of history and importance that comes from going behind that door."
You will need the latest version of Flash to see the tour. You can download it by following the link below - you’ll need to re-start your computer before trying again.