Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro is right next door to Barend, and so it’s very convenient for a late breakfast, lunch or afternoon treat.
Parking spaces are plentiful and the large cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. We went in the afternoon and enjoyed drinks and cakes sitting out on a picnic bench on the terrace. The prices seem reasonable, and there’s a good selection of cakes and snacks. The kids particularly enjoyed their ice cream milkshakes. There’s table service and the staff are all very friendly and efficient. On our first visit we spent an hour or so there, but we’ve been back a few times since…
Wildlife
The main attraction is the wildlife. There are over 500 head of red deer (Britain’s largest land mammal), sika and roe deer in a truly wild and vast landscape. We enjoyed seeing quite a few deer grazing near the cafe.
For a close up experience with the deer you can also book a 1 hour 4×4 tour (for up to 6 people) around the park in the company of a knowledgeable guide.
You will learn more about these magnificent creatures and should have the chance to take some amazing photographs.
Food
We’ve been back since for their tasty breakfasts, which lived up to our expectations! One son finished his waffle and exclaimed “exquisite”! 😂 Currently there isn’t a vegetarian option on the menu, but the chef has been very accommodating when we’ve visited and happy to substitute the meaty elements with extras. The big breakfast is served with toast and butter and the coffee is good too.
Refinements?
At the time of writing (August 2022) there’s a feel of a ‘work in progress’. It seems that no expense has been spared on the fixtures and fittings, everything is high quality, with solid tables and comfortable chairs.
However, the Visitor Centre is quite new (it opened late in 2021), and so we think there’s potential for further refinements in the future. For example there’s only one set of shelves and a table near the entrance with a few gifts and cards to buy. This will probably be expanded with more items further down the line.
We’d also like to learn more about the wildlife in the park while at the visitor centre, without necessarily booking an individual tour. It would be good if more information about the deer and the park tours were on display in the bistro/cafe.
We plan to keep visiting, so we’ll keep an eye on developments and update this post.
Contact, Links & Reviews
Tel: 07768 900641 / 07900 278559
Email: info@bainlochdeerpark.co.uk
www.bainlochdeerpark.co.uk – next door to Barend, ~15 mins walk up a fairly steep driveway / less than 5 mins drive.
Planning Your Visit
Bainloch Deer Park, Laggan Woodlands, Sandyhills, Dalbeattie, DG5 4NZ, Scotland.
Ample free parking in front of the visitor centre.
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ugTEo5d4rQsErfXF9
What 3 Words: w3w.co/bends.reckon.vertical
