Listen up, Londoners: we’ve got some pretty exciting news for you. This summer, 10 Downing Street is throwing open its (usually firmly locked) garden gate, and welcoming a select few mere mortals to have a snoop around it. And here’s how you could be one of them.
As part of this year’s London Open Gardens festival, the oh-so elusive green space that hides behind the Prime Minister’s pad will be open for two (extremely exclusive) tours on June 8. Each tour will only have 24 spaces, which will be allocated by ballot. So yes, the competition is going to be pretty fierce.
What can you expect from the tour?
Constructed back in 1736, 10 Downing Street’s half-acre garden boasts a huge open lawn, complete with some blooming lovely rose-beds (commissioned by none other than the late Mrs Thatcher). There’s also an impressive bronze sculpture by Barbara Hepworth in the centre.
Gardeners will be on hand throughout the tour to answer any questions regarding the garden, it’s wildlife and it’s sustainability. The lucky 48 ballot winners will get to spend their time gazing, gawping and – let’s face it – gloating amongst the glorious green space.
London Open Gardens is basically an entire weekend dedicated to prying around some of the fanciest gardens in the capital. 100 gardens – which are usually completely off-limits – are opened to the public. The tour around the Downing Street garden is free for the selected ballot winners, but the other gardens require a paid-for entry pass.
Tours of the garden at 10 Downing Street will take place on June 8 at 11.30am and 1.30pm. The ballot is open now and closes at 11.59pm on May 7. Enter the ballot here.