As part of the London String of Pearls Millennium Festival 2000 , the Foreign & Commonwealth office opened its doors to the public.

Probably best known as the office where Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East and Minister of State for Europe, worked - the architecture makes for an interesting trip. Beautifully sited adjacent to St James's Park, visitors were allowed to tour the Locarno Suite, the India Office Council Chamber and the stunning Durbar Court.

Described as the 'jewel in the crown' and the 'wonder of Whitehall' the Grade I Listed building features the Durbar Court at its centre. Designed by Matthew Digby Wyatt in 1866, the courtyard is enclosed by a glass roof and is surrounded by three storeys of columns and piers supporting arches. The third storey is adorned with portrait busts of great figures in Anglo-Indian History and names of Indian provinces and cities. Measuring some 110 ft long, 63 feet wide and 80ft high the courtyard's Greek, Sicilian and Belgian marble floor gives it the feel of a European "piazza".

The Asian connection continues with the Gurkha stairs, named after the statue of the Gurkha soldier that overlooked them and there is even an India Office Council Chamber - the door, chimneypiece and overmantel of which originally furnished East India House. Indeed the building is full of "knick-knacks" from colonial days.

My particular favourite was the Muses' Staircase, a rather grand stairway culminating in a large octagonal glass lantern supported by goodesses and cherubs. Admittedly this has little to do with India, but represents the breadth of nations the Foreign & Commonwealth office has dealt with over the years. I felt it was a pity that very little of Indian handicrafts and stonemasonry were used in the construction of Indian Council Chamber and Durbar Court. Even more disappointing is the fact that the outside courtyards are car parks! The building's history accounts for the mixture of Italian, Gothic and Classical styles and the renovation and modernisation exercise which began in 1984 and finished in 1997 has helped to maintain the myriad of influences.

A great pity that it is not open to the public all year round! But you can take a virtual tour of the FCO at www.fco.gov.uk/directory/tour.asp.

About the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

The Foreign & Commonwealth office website at www.fco.gov.uk provides a wealth of information on those travelling abroad. Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, and the FCO team make good use of the visitor access by continuously showing videos explaining the work of their office.

The FCO promotes internationally the interests of the UK and works to contribute to a strong world community. It manages the UK's relations with 186 countries and numerous international organisations; through their representatives in the UK and through the 221 British diplomatic posts overseas. It is the job of FCO consular staff to protect British Nationals abroad. The FCO's Entry Clearance officers also process about 1.5 million visa applications each year!

String of Pearls

In celebration of the year 2000 and the new millennium, a number of London Landmarks have been open to the public. If you missed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office other places to try include Lambeth Palace, Royal Courts of Justice, Old Royal Naval College and Somerset House. A definite treat for Tourists and Londoners alike. Visit the string of pearls website at www.stringofpearls.org.uk for details of any venues that will be open to the public on a long term basis.

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