Do you, or have you ever, worked in a very famous building?

[ferriswheel]

I've just lost the best part of a day watching Designated Survivor and it has made me think about all of the behind-the-scenes people who work in The White House, or Buckingham Palace, or any kind of place like that.

Does anyone have any exciting stories of what it is actually like?

My best friend worked in the White House. She loved it.

Not sure if mine is famous enough for you (not quite in the same league) but I work in one of Oxford's oldest and most famous buildings. Mostly it's just like working anywhere else (only with bobbins heating and no lifts!) which means it's even more odd looking up in the middle of a v dull meeting about budgeting or annual stats reporting and seeing a gaggle of tourists peering through the window...

Not sure if mine is famous enough for you (not quite in the same league) but I work in one of Oxford's oldest and most famous buildings. Mostly it's just like working anywhere else (only with bobbins heating and no lifts!) which means it's even more odd looking up in the middle of a v dull meeting about budgeting or annual stats reporting and seeing a gaggle of tourists peering through the window...

Was it as exciting and cosmopolitan as it appears? I can't imagine going somewhere like that every day for work.

An old building in Oxford is exciting! I worked in The Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh once, that felt quite impressive!

I worked in the bunker in MOD London, where the linked tunnel to Downing Street is and the Cobra meetings are held.

I was there when 7/7 happened...

I've worked in a few really famous museums and castles and such like. It's not v glam - the office spaces are cold and pokey.

Not the same level at all but I worked in Edinburgh Castle for a while. The soldiers used to take great delight in jumping out round corners first thing in the morning to scare the living daylights out of us as we walked to work.

A lot.

I am an historic buildings specialist. I get to go into parts of palaces and big houses/colleges even the owners/workers don't know about. There are some really fascinating hidey holes around!

I worked in the Gherkin for a while, does that count?

Most of the time I get to work sweaty (cycling) and swearing about the buses and pedestrians but there are odd mornings, particularly when it's sunny, and the buildings are glowing, and there are ceremonies happening, when it's lovely to sit outside with a coffee early on, watch some of the set up, watch the tour groups gathering and snapping photos, then put my ID back on display and wander in to the office.

I clean in an old monestary that is now a house. It has a tunnel in the back garden that reaches the sea a few miles away. Apparently the monks used to smuggle people to safety to awaiting boats. Old walls and statues are still in the garden - its a very peaceful feeling being there!!

I worked at Parliament for a while. It was great and did feel very special. You get used to the work, dealing with MPs etc, but the building itself and its history always gave me a thrill.

I worked in the Home Office in the 90s. It was pretty tedious tbh. My most abiding memory is that you could smoke at your desk.

I get to go into parts of palaces and big houses/colleges even the owners/workers don't know about. There are some really fascinating hidey holes around!

You know we're going to want you to share, right? Any favourites?

I worked in the Treasury for a while about 10 years ago. It was quite exciting on budget day, and I was there when Gordon Brown became PM and everyone lined the corridors clapping when he left the Treasury for No 10. I used to walk over Westminster Bridge every day and I still found the view uplifting. I had a few meetings at No 10 and it's always exciting to go through the front door. Also: good canteen.

I work in a basement in Crawley now. It's not the same.

I worked in New Scotland Yard for 27 years before it was sold to make way for luxury flats

I was an intern in parliament.

I used to work in a police building in London.

Whenever I was late for work, I could hail a cab, give the address and have no problem about where they were going.

The Hackney Carriage Licensing Office was in the same building.

Not famous famous, but well known enough.

I'm an historic building specialist

That sounds a wonderfully fascinating job!

Hobbes8 I was there at the same time. Very formative years

One of my best friends works in the House of Commons. Another passing acquaintance works in Buckingham Palace. He met the Queen on his second day and surprises himself by totally losing his proverbial shit.

I used to volunteer at a wild life tourist attraction. Used to love being there before opening when it was quiet and knowing the best spots to sit and have lunch.

I dont work there but I am going to be going inside the House of Commons in a couple of weeks with a party of 25 14 year olds. Cant wait!

I worked in the BBC television centre, A nightmare to find your way around and I spent most of my time there lost. Always felt I needed a ball of twine to help me find my way back.
Also worked in Broadcasting House which was much nicer but dodgy cabling meant things went wrong quite a lot.

Quite a few places in The City too.