My favourite Airbnb: I stayed in a converted stable in Cornwall, a surfer's paradise with stargazing from bed

It’s not often the British forecast promises dreamy surf conditions and sunshine on a weekend in October, so as I strapped the boards to the roof of the car and cruised down the M5 from London to Falmouth in Cornwall, I felt excited about the days ahead.

Things only got better when I arrived at my Airbnb. Here lay off-street parking – don’t laugh. Anyone who has driven to Cornwall before will know the fight for a spot on the road, and I felt like I’d found treasure when I discovered a private space big enough to unload my 9ft board and bags.

Morlanow is a one-bedroom former stable and store building, intelligently redesigned by local architect Nina Jones and her partner Alex. It has a curious, sculptural, rounded exterior, which is exactly what stopped me in my tracks mid-scroll during my initial Airbnb search.

Inside, the coastal theme is clever as opposed to nautical. The design is inspired by the way boats work, fitted with built-in furniture that doubles as storage, so there’s plenty of room to stow everything a surfer might need for a weekend. It’s compact, but doesn’t feel small. Every inch has purpose without feeling overly engineered. Aesthetically, it’s playful but ‘cool’. Vibrant flashes of colour contradict tactile, natural finishes and pale-wood walls.

The front door opens to the kitchen and an open-plan dining area with a wetroom-style bathroom conveniently tucked to the left. There’s a collection of books and a cute little reading nook with a comfy sofa, and the bed is nestled upstairs beneath an incredible skylight window – we had an epic view of the stars from here one night.

Mornings quickly developed their own ritual. I’d wake feeling rested as light poured in through the windows, then head out for strong coffee (Dark Pony’s morning brew became a favourite) before flicking through the local surf-cams – a live update of wave-heights and sea conditions with a spotlight on the south coast – and debating which stretch of coastline looked best to beeline for.

Mostly, we headed north towards Perranporth and Hayle, chasing down the cleanest conditions we could find. The waves were glassy and punchy, with barely any wind. I surfed until exhaustion hit, promising myself that each wave would be the last for much longer than intended. Coming back to Morlanow after a day like this was when I appreciated the smart design the most. There was somewhere to store boards and space to hang wetsuits, not to mention a much-needed hot shower.

When I wasn’t bobbing about in the ocean, I wandered Falmouth, browsing new kit, replenishing my supply of surf-wax, and trying on clothes at Roma Surf Shop, Sessions and my favourite – Finisterre. I found a cold pint of Lightbulb Ale by local Verdant Brewery at the Sea View Inn just across the road from our digs, and enjoyed a cosy dinner further into town at the Seafood Bar. Here, I filled up on moreish Fish Tacos, and a generous plate of fresh Crab Loaded chips – more than enough to convince me that Falmouth takes its seafood seriously.

By the end of the trip, my car was covered in sand, my hair was full of salt and my mind was overflowing with ideas about how I could redesign my own home in London. Morlanow was the perfect base for a long, surfer’s weekend, but more than that, a reminder that smaller spaces don’t have to feel like a compromise.

What I packed for my weekend in Falmouth