All the scenery of the Highlands, none of the 8-hour drive. Very easy-to-reach on the Dumfries and Galloway coast in South Scotland, Serenity 22 Barend is only a couple of hours from Glasgow or Edinburgh, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes from Newcastle, and an easy drive up the M6 from the North West or Midlands.
Depending on our schedule, sometimes we minimize stops on the way to the lodge and just pop in to the standard motorway services. However, sometimes we like to ‘make a day of it’ and feel like we’re starting our holiday on the way, avoiding the crowded service stations and choosing places that are a little more relaxing and pleasant to spend time in, but they’re all 20 mins or less from the motorway.
If you are planning your charging stops or checking real-time facility updates before you set off, we recommend consulting specialist tracking resources like Just Off Junction, The Extra Mile Guide, or Next Junction App to check up-to-date info.
Quick Info: Driving to the Solway Coast
- Primary Route: M6 / M74 Northbound & A75 Westbound
- Our Favourite Food Stops: Tebay Services & Low Sizergh Farm Shop
- Supermarkets en route: Dumfries (25 min drive from the lodge), Tesco Extra/Morrisons/Lidl/Aldi
- Lodge Destination: Serenity 22 Barend, Sandyhills, Dumfries and Galloway, DG5 4NU
These are all places we’ve stopped at a few times on our own journeys to the lodge, offering a mix of quick leg-stretches and scenic destinations. As you’ll see National Trust places feature quite a lot, we’re members and are partial to a NT Café cake!
Some are quite close together, so you’ll probably want to pick one from each of the 4 groups we’ve collected together below.
Here are some suggested travel itineraries, depending on how long you want to drive between stops. We’ve started them all from Stafford Northbound Services, one of the southernmost services when you’re past the midlands conurbation. Times and distances shown are from the previous stop.
1 Hour Stops
- Stafford Northbound Services Google Maps | Waze
- Dunham Massey (NT) (52 mins / 42 miles) Google Maps | Waze
- Moto Lancaster Northbound (58 mins / 52 miles) Google Maps | Waze
- Moto Southwaite Northbound M6 (1 h 8 mins / 65 miles) Google Maps | Waze
- — OR — stretch to 1 h 32 mins / 89 miles from Dunham Massey to Tebay (Google Maps | Waze)
- Loch Arthur Farm Shop (1 h 10 mins / 50 miles from Southwaite; 1 h 25 mins / 78 miles from Tebay) Google Maps | Waze
- Serenity 22 Barend (17 mins / 11 miles) Google Maps | Waze
2 Hour Stops
- Stafford Northbound Services Google Maps | Waze
- Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Café (1 h 55 min / 115 miles) Google Maps | Waze
- Kilnford Farm Shop & Farmhouse Kitchen Cafe (1 h 43 min / 93 miles) Google Maps | Waze
- Serenity 22 Barend (31 mins / 19 miles) Google Maps | Waze
From the South: The Midlands & Cheshire
Moto Stafford (M6 Northbound)
QUICK STOP | Google Maps | Waze
Pleasant lake and picnic benches in the outside area.
Welcome Break Keele Northbound Services M6
QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Small services but not unpleasant. Sat inside. No green space.
Roadchef Sandbach M6 Northbound Services
QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Small but OK. Small outside area next to car park with a few picnic benches
Dunham Massey (NT)
RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Near Altrincham. Leave the M6 at junction 20 (M56), but check your navigation app before you detour, as it can be more than 15 mins off the motorway at busy times. It’s dog friendly with accessible paths and features a 300-acre deer park, café, restaurant, an historic Georgian house and more.
EV Charging: There are some EV charging points in the main car park.
Lancashire Stops
Rufford Old Hall (NT)
RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
West Lancashire, near Preston, 15 mins from M6 J27. Spectacular Tudor and Jacobean house from 1500s, and colourful garden.
Welcome Break Charnock Richard Northbound Services M6
QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Just an ordinary, run of the mill Service Station – no green area.
Moto Lancaster Northbound Services M6
QUICK STOP | DOG WALKING AREA | Google Maps | Waze
You might remember these services, because of the brutalist design Pennine Tower which opened in 1965 as a fine dining restaurant. It closed to the public in 1989 and eventually was completely closed, although the rest of the service area has continues to operate today. The tower was given Grade II listed status in 2012.
Through Cumbria
Moto Burton-In-Kendal M6 Northbound Services
QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Very small, and ‘higgledy piggledy’. Seating to eat lunch. There were some charity tables – our youngest got a Dandy Annual. No green outside area.
Sizergh (NT)
RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
For a longer stop in the area. A medieval house with gardens and estate, which is where we were heading when we first found Low Sizergh Farm Shop (see below), but Sizergh NT was closed that day, resulting in many future trips to the Farm Shop instead! However, we have had a day trip to Sizergh and stopped here a couple of times when heading north. The NT cafe is on the car park, before you head to the house, so non-members could have a short café break here too.
Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Café
RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Located just off the A591/A590 junction near Kendal (leave the M6 at Junction 36). This detour is well worth it. You can watch the cows being milked from the café gallery every day from 3:30pm. There’s delicious food here, Shakshuka is a favourite of mine, and there are always tempting cakes and scones. Also get some local cheeses to enjoy during your holiday, and optionally stretch your legs on their quiet farm trail – we’ve done all of these things!
EV Charging: They don’t have dedicated chargers in the farmyard car park yet, but you are only a couple of minutes away from the major high-speed charging hubs at M6 Junction 36.
Tebay Services Northbound M6
RECOMMENDED | GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
On the M6 between Junctions 38 and 39. This is an independent, family-run services (owned by the same company who run the Cairn Lodge Services on the way to Glasgow, and Gloucester Services). Has a farm shop and outside seating with pond. Seating area inside has large glass windows and a view over the hills.
The Final Stretch & Stocking Up
Moto Southwaite Northbound M6, Nr Carlisle
QUICK STOP | Google Maps | Waze
Just an ordinary, run of the mill Service Station. Quite small, limited grassed area.
Houghton Hall Garden Centre
RECOMMENDED | GREEN SPACE AVAILABLE | Google Maps | Waze
(Pronounced “HOW-tuhn”.) Approx 5 mins / 1.5 miles from M6 Junction 44 near Carlisle North. This is the final English stop before you cross the border. Spread over 3 levels, it features a café/restaurant gardening essentials, houseplants, home and gifts and a World in Miniature Museum.
Gretna Green (Caledonia Park)
QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE | Google Maps | Waze
Located right on the border as you cross into Scotland. A historic, highly convenient spot just off the A74(M). At this point you’re about an hour’s drive from the lodge. We usually stop at Caledonia Park Designer Outlet, which has a number of fashion outlets, plus Cadbury’s and Lindt shops and Greggs, Starbucks, Costa, Burger King and street food vans. We usually grab a quick coffee, and use the facilities before heading toward Dumfries on the A75.
Kilnford Farm Shop & Farmhouse Kitchen Cafe
RECOMMENDED | GREEN SPACE AVAILABLE | Google Maps | Waze
When you’re getting closer, we imagine most people’s journeys will come through Dumfries. Unless of course you’ve come on the Ferry from Cairnryan / Stranraer (we’ve done that trip too, which offers a scenic drive along the west coast).
You have the choice to take the bypass, or go through the town. There’s not much difference in journey time, so we tend to choose based on what the SatNav says, or whether we want to stop off at Kilnford (see above).
Dumfries is a 25-minute drive from Serenity 22 Barend and has plenty of places to stock up on groceries just before you arrive at the coast:
- Aldi: Two stores, one on Glasgow Road (Google Maps | Waze) on the bypass near Kilnford Farm Shop, and one on Annan Road (Google Maps | Waze).
- Lidl: Conveniently located; opposite Morrisons for fuel (Google Maps | Waze).
- Morrisons: Large supermarket and one of the cheapest fuel stops in the area (Google Maps | Waze).
- Tesco: Large extra-store option located right on the main corridor through town (Google Maps | Waze).
For groceries during your stay, see our information on supermarkets, deliveries and convenience stores.
Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Café
RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE AVAILABLE | Google Maps | Waze
20 mins from the lodge, café open 9.30am to 3.30pm, we sometime stop here for lunch or a tea and cake before getting to the lodge, or breakfast on the way home. They also have a cheese counter, pantry supplies, locally produced organic fruit and vegetables and offer a great selection of crafts and gifts.
From the Central Belt & From the East / A75
Because we usually travel up from the South, we’re compiling the best independent stops for guests arriving from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the East. Do you have a favourite independent café, farm shop, or scenic viewpoint on your route to Barend? Let us know in the comments below! We love discovering new spots and adding guest recommendations to our guide.
Your Destination: Serenity 22 Barend
Once you reach your Scandinavian timber lodge, you can finally unpack and relax. When you arrive, check our First Day Favourites.
Booking your stay at Serenity 22 includes these leisure perks completely free of charge:
- Our private, authentic wood-fired Scandinavian timber sauna.
- Unlimited access to the heated indoor swimming pool.
- Complimentary golf at Craigieknowes golf course.
If you’d like to check our live availability or book a stay at the lodge, you can find our calendar and book here: Check Availability at Serenity 22
Quick-Reference Distance Table: M6 Stops to Serenity 22
| Stop Location | Navigation Links | Distance to Serenity 22 | Stop Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moto Stafford (M6 Northbound) | Google Maps | Waze | 222 miles | QUICK STOP |
| Welcome Break Keele Northbound Services M6 | Google Maps | Waze | 203 miles | QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE |
| Roadchef Sandbach M6 Northbound | Google Maps | Waze | 191 miles | QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE |
| National Trust – Dunham Massey | Google Maps | Waze | 177 miles | RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE |
| National Trust – Rufford Old Hall | Google Maps | Waze | 156 miles | RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE |
| Welcome Break Charnock Richard Northbound | Google Maps | Waze | 151 miles | QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE |
| Moto Lancaster Northbound | Google Maps | Waze | 126 miles | QUICK STOP | DOG WALKING AREA |
| Moto Burton-In-Kendal, M6 Northbound | Google Maps | Waze | 110 miles | QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE |
| National Trust – Sizergh | Google Maps | Waze | 110 miles | RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE |
| Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop | Google Maps | Waze | 109 miles | RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE |
| Tebay Services (Northbound) | Google Maps | Waze | 89 miles | RECOMMENDED | GREEN SPACE |
| Moto Southwaite Northbound | Google Maps | Waze | 60 miles | QUICK STOP | Small grassed area |
| Houghton Hall Garden Centre | Google Maps | Waze | 52 miles | RECOMMENDED | GREEN SPACE AVAILABLE |
| Gretna Green (Caledonia Park) | Google Maps | Waze | 44 miles | QUICK STOP | NO GREEN SPACE |
| Aldi Glasgow Rd (near Kilnford Farm Shop) | Google Maps | Waze | 19 miles | |
| Kilnford Farm Shop & Farmhouse Kitchen Cafe | Google Maps | Waze | 18 miles | RECOMMENDED | GREEN SPACE AVAILABLE |
| Aldi Annan Rd | Google Maps | Waze | 19 miles | |
| Tesco Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park | Google Maps | Waze | 18 miles | |
| Lidl Brooms Rd | Google Maps | Waze | 18 miles | |
| Morrisons Brooms Rd | Google Maps | Waze | 18 miles | |
| Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Café | Google Maps | Waze | 11 miles | RECOMMENDED DETOUR | GREEN SPACE AVAILABLE |
