JEWEL IN THE CROWN

Head to England's southwest for a right royal dog-friendly holiday in a designer barn conversion on the Duchy of Cornwall estate

- REBECCA RUSSELL

Following his father’s accession to the throne last September, the Prince of Wales also became the Duke of Cornwall, and one of his inherited projects in the county is going from strength to strength – and OK! got the chance to experience it first-hand.

The Duchy of Cornwall holiday cottages have been created from abandoned and disused farm buildings on land belonging to the estate of which Prince William is now steward. We stayed in the three-bedroom barn conversion Menhenick, on Loskeyle Farm. It’s one of four properties on the edge of Bodmin Moor, near the picturesque village of St Tudy. It’s also just a short drive from popular Port Isaac with its narrow streets, whitewashed cottages and pretty harbour. And much to the delight of our four-legged travelling companion, six-year-old cockapoo Scooby, Menhenick is also one of the duchy’s many dog-friendly residences.

FIT FOR A QUEEN

The two-storey self-catering barn conversion is an elegant sanctuary, with stunning views from the living room. Tastefully designed by Queen Camilla’s interiors expert sister, Annabel Elliot, and featuring touches of the Queen’s favourite colour, duck egg blue, throughout, it’s full of fascinating items including some salvaged from the original barn, including a rustic cartwheel above one of the sofas. There are some nods to the cottage’s royal links, too, such as a poster from the coronation of King George VI in 1937, while the statement green bottle chandelier is an artwork in itself.