Staying Cool at Royal William Yard

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" WOW! Thats the first word that enters your head when you come through the gates at Royal William Yard Built in the 19th century it was once a naval victualling yard but today it feels more like a film set for the latest Merchant Ivory productionThe Yard stands on the bank of the Taymar Estuary on the border between Devon and Cornwall with easy access to great beaches by boat and car and just a short drive or water taxi ride to Plymouth Hoe and the BarbicanAll of the Yards buildings are Grade I listed dating from 1828 in fact it has the most Grade I listed military buildings in Europe The locals say that some were built on the blood sweat and tears of former prisoners from the Napoleonic wars more likely than not an urban myth but were suckers for a good yarn so hence the apartments name These stunning first floor apartments are right on the waters edge with sea views from all windows and a pair of original loading bay doors that open up over the waterThe enormous 100 ft long living space combines the warmth and character of the original exposed stone walls timber floors and steel work with a super cool modern kitchen glazed walls and stylish oversized doors The apartment has two double bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom and a super king size bed The master suite has an even bigger bathroom than bedroom with a Japanese style solid wood bath and open walk in showerBack in the lounge a pair of classic BandB Italia sofas take centre stage with Wo tum bu floor lamps by Ingo Maurer the German trendsetters of contemporary lighting These feature origami inspired shapes echoing the billowing sales of the yachts in the harbour outsideNapoleon cushions by Glasgow based design house Timorous Beasties in red and purple velvet with their bold bee emblem add an air of opulence A 12 ft long marble dining table is surrounded by stylish revamped black Victorian balloon back chairs and lit by an over sized Tolomeo angle poise lamp by Artemide The room also has a snug area with a Cadira sofas and a large television and a desk with iMac occupies the other end of the roomOnce youve explored Royal William Yard there are plenty of other things to do in the area from beaches and ferry rides to country walks and National Trust properties If youre doing business in Plymouth then a taxi to the centre of town is just ú5 Definitely the best place around "