The FCO has come a long way since its beginnings in 1782. You can read about our history and check out every one of our former foreign secretaries.

In 1782 it fitted into two fairly modest houses in London. It's grown since then and you can tour our buildings to find out about our current Grade 1 listed Whitehall home or explore some of the new Foreign Office buildings abroad, from Berlin to Sao Paulo, Dar es Salaam to Copenhagen. They’re quality designs that promote and reinforce the UK's modern image.