Coastal lodge near Dalbeattie with loch views
Outdoor adventures, sports, and active things to do around Sandyhills and the wider Dumfries & Galloway region.
Distance from the lodge:
2 miles E ~5 min drive DG5 4PA
Mares Braids Waterfall, also known as Back Burn (sometimes Backburn) Waterfall, is just a short drive from Serenity 22 Barend, by the A710 heading E from Sandyhills. It’s near the Southwick Coastal Reserve and RSPB Mersehead on the Solway Coast.
⚠️ This walk is only accessible when the tide is out so you must check the tide times before going. The tides near Sandyhills move very quickly, and people have been trapped by them. ⚠️
8 miles E ~17 min drive DG2 8BG
We spent an afternoon Rock Climbing with Daniel Johnston at Powillimount Beach and thoroughly enjoyed it – despite the cold, hail and snow at various points in the afternoon!
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Distance from the lodge:
5 miles WSW ~11 min drive DG5 4LB
As soon as we heard about the walk to Rough Island, we looked forward to exploring the island. (We’ve previously done a similar walk to Davaar Island off Campbeltown, Kintyre.)
This area of the Solway Coast has such shallow seas that there are vast mudflats when the tide is out.
Rough island is about 3 miles / 5km from from Serenity 22 Barend “as the crow flies”.
⚠️ Check when to avoid crossing as the causeway is underwater for 5 (five) hours during high tide.
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The Rockcliffe to Sandyhills coastal walk has been described as one of the best in Britain, with stunning views across the Solway to Cumbria and the Isle of Man as well as along the Galloway coast.
Rockcliffe is just a short drive (or long-ish 😉 walk) from Serenity 22 Barend.
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Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool is open throughout the week and it’s not necessary to book. Just check the timetable on their website and turn up. It’s only a small complex but has everything you need: changing rooms, lockers, showers and a small seating area where you can get drinks from the vending machines.
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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…
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.
Galloway Forest Park – not far from Serenity 22 Barend – was designated the first Dark Sky Park in the UK by the International Dark-Sky Association. In 2009 it was only the fourth in the world; there are now over 100 worldwide. It’s a Gold Tier park for its dark skies which make for breathtaking and rare stargazing conditions.
A Dark Sky Park is a place with exceptionally dark night skies, where there’s a commitment to control light pollution.
Very few people live within the boundaries of Galloway Forest Park, so there’s very little light pollution and the nights are extra clear.
The region covers 300 square miles that are protected from light pollution. Thousands more stars are visible compared to a typical town or city.
You can see over 7,000 stars and planets with the naked eye, including the Milky Way stretching across the sky. There’s a new show every night as we travel round the sun and get a constantly changing view of the stars.
When you book Serenity 22 Barend through this site/Barend Holiday Lodges you can have a free round of golf at Craigieknowes Golf Club.
4 miles W ~9 min drive DG5 4LF
Craigieknowes is just 3 miles from Kippford, alongside a stretch of beautiful coastline known as the Scottish Riviera. It has a challenging 9 hole par 3 course along with a “Tee” room for refreshments after (or instead! 😉).
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The indoor heated swimming pool is ~200m from lodge 22, about 4 mins walk.
Book your holiday through our site with Barend Holiday Lodges for exclusive use of Barend Swimming Pool!
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