Articles - Serenity 22 Barend

Sleeps up to 8 - Loch view - Fast WiFi - Pet Friendly - Beach 10 mins - Free Golf, Swimming & Sauna

Mr Pook's Restaurant Foraged Chanterelle Mushroom Tart

Mr Pook’s Kitchen Restaurant Review

9 September 202215 March 202522 Barend

Distance from the lodge: 13 miles WNW ~20 min drive

Mr Pook’s Kitchen website says they ‘showcase some of the best produce from Dumfries & Galloway using ancient, classic & modern cooking techniques’.

We went for a meal there one evening and we’re happy to thoroughly recommend it based on our experience. We noticed a children’s menu was on display outside, but we were child free this time!

Help Us to Look After Barend Loch

7 September 202213 March 202622 Barend

Serenity has a great view of Barend Loch, so we really appreciate all efforts made to keep the Loch healthy and looking good!

You can walk all around the loch and might be fortunate to spot Heron, Swans, Dragonflies and other wildlife 🙂 There are fish in the loch and guests at Serenity don’t need a permit to fish there.

The lodges at Barend use a treatment plant over the road for waste water. The plant uses Barend Loch as a final stage of water purification before discharging via a stream into the sea. There’s no smell and the outflow from the loch is regularly tested showing a very high standard of purity.

Here are three ways you can help us to look after Barend Loch:

JJ’s Fish & Chip Shop – Southerness

5 September 202223 November 202322 Barend

This chip shop is open 8 months of the year from March to November. It’s a little further away than the one in Dalbeattie.

Mabie Farm Park – Fun Day Out

2 September 20228 December 202222 Barend

A fun filled day out with animals to feed and lots of variety of play equipment for all ages.

Cream o’ Galloway Ice Cream Parlour

1 September 202210 March 202522 Barend

Cream o’ Galloway has been in the news in the last few months (Mar 2025). The Visitor Centre/Ice Cream Parlour that we visited when reviewing below is now closed. This is because the company was bought in January 2024, by a company called Brymor. Excerpts of a statement in Jan ’25 from Brymor are below.

“In January 2024, Brymor purchased the Cream O’ Galloway Ice Cream Brand.

Brymor manufactures and distributes premium ice cream, made on the farm on their site outside Masham, North Yorkshire and has been trading for 40 years.

It was evident from the outset that the manufacturing equipment [at the Cream o’ Galloway farm near Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet,] and the whole site was tired and required significant new investment. Therefore, we are consolidating the manufacturing to the Brymor site.

Brymor has over 40 years’ experience in ice cream manufacturing … the brand will benefit from newer, more efficient equipment, as well as benefiting from the sustainable and environmentally friendly resources that Brymor has implemented over the last 4 years.

We will continue to distribute the Cream O’Galloway range from [The Cocoabean Company, Ashland, Twynholm, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4NP] … This means all local customers and holiday visitors can continue to use the full range of ice cream at The Cocoabean whilst enjoying the fabulous facilities, events and of course chocolate at the Cocoabean.”

Distance from the lodge: 29 miles WSW ~41 min drive

Cream o’ Galloway is a great place if you love ice cream!

They have a wide variety of flavours and a range of price options.

We spent a sunny afternoon there.

The Beagle Country Pub

31 August 202216 March 202522 Barend

The Beagle closed in January 2025, but the pub is reopening in March 2025 as The Crab Pot!

The Beagle Country Pub on site Bar & Restaurant is run by Barend Holiday Lodges. A large canopy and heaters in the courtyard make outdoor dining even more enjoyable.

Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro

30 August 202231 January 202322 Barend

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…

Sculpture of a Stag at Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro

Rose Garden / Ship Inn Restaurant and Chinese Takeaway

30 August 202212 March 202522 Barend

Distance from the lodge: 5 miles NW ~11 min drive DG5 4DJ

We chose between the two Chinese takeaways in Dalbeattie. This time we decided to order from Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway, because we could order online and pay by Card.

The Chip Shop Dalbeattie

27 August 202212 March 202522 Barend

Distance from the lodge: 5 miles WNW ~11 min drive DG5 4HE

This is the nearest chip shop to the lodge and we’re pleased to report that it’s a good one!

Sandyhills Beach on the Solway Firth

27 August 202213 March 202522 Barend

The nearest beach, Sandyhills, is only a short 10-15 mins walk from the lodge along a quiet road.

It’s a large sandy beach, warmed by the Gulf Stream, so popular for paddling and exploring rock pools. It’s great for walking at low tide.

⚠️ The tide can move very quickly so we recommend you check the tide times.

To get there, turn left from Barend Holiday Lodges and stay on that road to the ‘T’ junction. Cross the road into the car park, then access the beach to the left of Sandyhills Bay Holiday Park.