Napoleon

…yes tonight, Josephine

Royal William Yard

WOW! That’s 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 production.

The 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 Barbican.

All of the Yard's 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 we're suckers for a good yarn so hence the apartment's name...).

Today the yard is owned and managed by our favourite (and multi-award winning) developers, Urban Splash. The company has ambitious plans to turn the yard into a major visitor destination over the next ten years.

The first in our new Staying Cool by the Sea collection in the UK, this stunning first floor apartment is right on the water’s edge with sea views from all windows and a pair of original loading bay doors that open up over the water.

The 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 shower.

Back in the lounge, a pair of classic B&B 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 outside.

Napoleon 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 room.

Once you’ve 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 you’re doing business in Plymouth then a taxi to the centre of town is just £5.

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