Author: 22 Barend

View of Barend Loch and hills behind from the balcony of Serenity 22 Barend

Help Us to Look After Barend Loch

22 Barend

Serenity 22 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:

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An ice cream sundae called "Sweet Tooth" at Cream o' Galloway Ice Cream Parlour in Rainton

Cream o’ Galloway Ice Cream Parlour

22 Barend

Cream o’ Galloway was in the news around 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.

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Entrance to The Beagle Country Pub

The Beagle Country Pub

22 Barend

The Beagle closed in January 2025, then reopened in March 2025 as The Crab Pot!

Sadly that didn’t last but plans are now taking shape to turn the venue into a ‘Wellbeing Centre‘, and the courtyard is now being used as an area the cafe / bar and pop-ups.

Check out other places to eat near the lodge.

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

Entrance to The Beagle Country Pub
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Breakfast outside on a picnic bench overlooking a wild landscape

Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro

22 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
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The Needle's Eye natural rock arch near Sandyhills Beach on the Solway Coast, accessible at low tide

Sandyhills Beach on the Solway Firth

22 Barend

The nearest beach, Sandyhills, is only a short 10 to 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.

Sandyhills Beach, looking across the bay
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