Your guide to beaches, walks, food & days out near Serenity 22 Barend, Sandyhills
Quick info for exploring from Serenity 22:
- Beach: Sandyhills Bay – 10 min walk
- Nearest town: Dalbeattie – 5 miles, 10 min drive
- Food on site: Barend Courtyard – 4 min walk
- Nearest café: Bainloch Deer Park — 20 min walk
- Pool & Sauna: On site — 4 min walk (free for Serenity guests)
From the lodge doorstep at Barend, near Dalbeattie, you have immediate access to the loch and woodland walks, while Sandyhills Beach on the Solway Coast is just a short stroll away. Whether you’re looking for a quiet week on the coast or an active break in the Dumfries & Galloway countryside, Serenity 22 is perfectly placed.
We’ve put together this guide based on our own visits to the area, covering everything from our favourite coastal hikes to the best spots for tea and cake.
Browse this Guide:
Places to Visit: Sightseeing · Museums · Shopping · Family Fun · Active Days Out · Nature
First Day Favourites
Just arrived? These are the three things we recommend doing within your first 24 hours to get into the “Barend” frame of mind.
A Circuit of Barend Loch
30 min circular stroll
Stretch your legs with a quick loop of the loch right in front of the lodge. It’s the perfect way to spot local wildlife – look out for our resident swans and ducks – before heading back to the lodge for dinner.
Food at Barend
4 min walk
No need to cook on your first night. Wander over to the courtyard area to see which local food vendor is serving today, or check out the takeaways and local delivery services.
Maybe a late breakfast at Bainloch the next morning? 😋
Portling Bay Coastal Loop
85 min circular walk
Our favourite local route. Walk down to Sandyhills Beach and pick up the cliff-top path toward Portling Bay before looping back along the beach. ⚠️ Check the tide times. The views across the Solway Firth are the best introduction to the area.
Short on time?
If you only have a few days, don’t miss our shortlist of the top local spots that offer the best “Solway” experience.
Included With Your Stay at Serenity 22
Indoor Swimming Pool
About 4 mins walk!
Guests at Serenity 22 can book a private session in the heated indoor pool near the Barend reception. Ideal for a morning swim or keeping the kids entertained.
Booking instructions are included in your welcome email.
Wood-fired Sauna
About 4 mins walk!
Book directly through our website for exclusive use of the hand-made, wood-fired sauna. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day on the coastal paths.
Booking instructions are included in your welcome email.
9-Hole Golf Course
4 miles W ~8 min drive DG5 4QS
Enjoy a free round at Craigieknowes Golf Club. It’s an informal, scenic par 30 course that’s great for both beginners and seasoned players.
Show your booking confirmation / Barend booking number at the clubhouse to play.
All three are included when you book Serenity 22 — check availability here.
Ready to wake up to a Loch view?
Serenity 22 is a genuine Scandinavian timber lodge, perfectly placed for the Colvend Coast.
Occupancy-based pricing for smaller groups.
Find your perfect day out (these tag links will take you to a page of related posts):
Rainy Days | Free Entry | Under £15 pp | Dog Friendly | Walking Distance | Day Trips Further Afield
Or browse a category: Activities | Days Out | Towns & Villages
The Barend Food Scene
4 minute stroll from your door! | DG5 4NU
Head down to the old farm buildings near reception for a changing line-up of local street food and mobile bars (see below for details).
Inside, there’s seating and toilets. Outside, there’s a large heated canopy – making it a great spot for food and drinks even on cooler evenings, which we almost never get in Scotland 😜
With different vendors visiting regularly, there’s always something new on the menu.
Tip: Check the Barend Holiday Lodges Instagram or Facebook to see who’s serving during your stay.
Looking for a sit-down restaurant or a pub further afield? See our full local dining guide below ↓
Also… Ernespie House Hotel offers an Indian Takeaway service. We’ve eaten there and can recommend their food!
Beaches
Sandyhills Beach
About 10 mins walk
Large, sandy and warmed by the gulf stream, popular for paddling, exploring rock pools and walking at low tide.
Kippford – the Solway Riviera
5 miles W ~10 min drive DG5 4GA
A picturesque little village popular for sailing. Can be part of a longer hike or take a short walk along the Jubilee Path to Rockcliffe.
Walks
Walking / Hiking
Barend is a perfect area for walking. There’s picturesque countryside, beautiful forest and lochs, peaks to climb with spectacular views, stunning coastal walks and even walks to islands if you catch the tide right. Serenity 22 is perfectly placed – some of our favourite routes start from the front door. There’s something for all ages and abilities.
From the Portling Bay Coastal Loop (5.6 km / 85 min, no car needed) to the Mares Braids Waterfall (9 km loop from the front door), explore the walks we love and those we’re still planning to do…
Sightseeing
Threave Garden & Estate
14 miles WNW ~27 min drive DG7 1RX
A garden for all seasons and a haven for wildlife.
There’s lots to see and do at Threave, including unique gardens and glasshouses, a Scottish baronial house, easy and more strenuous walks (Threave Castle is part of the wider estate), diverse wildlife including an osprey platform and bat reserve, and food and drink at the cafe!
Caerlaverock Castle
26 miles NE ~45 min drive DG1 4RU
As you can see from the image, Caerlaverock is an unusually shaped – triangular – castle!
It a great day out, with plenty to explore around the castle ruins and visitor centre.
Clatteringshaws Loch
33 miles NW ~50 min drive DG7 3SQ
We love this place – a haven for waterbirds in summer, and has views of the rolling Galloway Hills. Great walking and stargazing in this area too!
⚠️ Sadly the excellent Visitor Centre / Café and toilets are currently closed. The loch is still worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Culzean Castle
Worth the drive – allow a full day
67 miles NW ~1 hr 50 mins drive KA19 8LE
This is obviously further to travel. It’s worth it though because Culzean is the flagship property of the NTS…
A cliff-top masterpiece, opulent to the extreme, it rises above woods, beaches, secret follies and play parks and is filled to the turrets with treasures that tell the stories of the people who lived there.
Museums & History
John Paul Jones Cottage Museum
8 miles E 17 min drive DG2 8BQ
Recommend using What 3 Words to find the entrance: comet.lump.sprouting
The Historic Birthplace Museum of John Paul Jones, the “Father of the American Navy.”
The Museum tells the story of this Naval hero who was born and lived his early life at the small cottage that forms part of the museum.
Sulwath Brewers
13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DT
“Sulwath” is the ancient name for the Solway Estuary.
Brewers of hand crafted traditional real ales to exacting standards.
“Meet the brewer on conducted tours on Fridays by appointment. (Currently unavailable as we rebuild after the fire).”
Gem Rock Museum (sad news, it’s closing in Oct ’26)
39 miles W ~54 min drive Creetown, DG8 7HJ
⚠️ Closing Soon 😥 Visit while you can! 🤩
A unique and fascinating collection of gems, crystals, minerals and fossils. It’s a relatively small family run museum, but has an amazing amount of rare gems and rocks, many more than we expected! There’s also a gift shop and ‘Prospector’s Pantry’ tearoom.
The Devil’s Porridge
40 miles ENE ~55 min drive DG12 6TF
An award-winning museum that tells the story of HM Factory Gretna, the UK’s largest munitions factory in World War I.
‘Mackintosh’ Day Out…
Worth the drive – allow a full day
123 miles NNW ~2h 30m min drive G84 9AJ
We don’t mean a rainy day! If you’ve heard of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, or you love the ‘Glasgow Style’, or Art Noveau, we recommend these places…
Shopping & Gifts
Kirkcudbright (Artists’ Town)
(pronounced kir-coo-bree)
24 miles WSW ~37 min drive DG6 4HZ
A renowned artist town with colourful houses, independent shops, a marina, harbour and castle ruins.
Castle Douglas (Food Town)
13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DX
An historic market town, known as Dumfries and Galloway’s “Food Town”, Castle Douglas has over 50 independent businesses offering locally produced food, drink, and confectionary.
There are also lots of restaurants and cafes to choose from (see some under places to eat).
It also has art galleries, a theatre, and shops to browse if you’re looking for gifts etc.
Family Fun
Mabie Farm Park
17 miles NE ~26 mins drive
A fun filled day out with animals to feed and lots of variety of play equipment for all ages, set in the beautiful Dumfries & Galloway countryside.
Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium
24 miles WSW ~37 min drive DG6 4EG
The Dark Space Planetarium is an interesting experience if you enjoy all things Space related!
There are lots of interactive exhibits and a planetarium.
Activities
Rock Climbing
8 miles E ~17 min drive DG2 8BG
We spent an afternoon Rock Climbing with Daniel Johnston at Powillimount Beach and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Galloway Activity Centre
23 miles NW ~35 min drive DG7 3NQ
Loads of adventurous activities to choose from including sailing, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking, archery, mountain biking, climbing and much, much more…
Horse Riding / Pony Trekking
There are 2 trekking and riding centres not far away (near Kirkcudbright).
20 miles W ~35 min drive DG7 2AR
Lochhill Equestrian & Trekking Centre
30 miles W ~48 min drive DG6 4TU
Mountain Biking
The 7Stanes Centres (five in D&G) offer award winning mountain biking, superb scenery, and a bike friendly welcome.
If you’re new to mountain biking there are routes for all abilities.
Dalbeattie (6 miles NW ~11 min drive DG5 4QU) is renowned amongst the 7stanes for its technical trails, granite features and great coastal views.
For more info about mountain biking in the area see:
Nature & The Great Outdoors
Stargazing
33 miles WNW ~50 min drive DG7 3SQ
Galloway Forest Park has been named a Gold Tier park for its breathtaking and rare stargazing conditions.
Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre
About 20 mins walk
Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre is right next door to Barend. Deer park 4×4 tours run approximately one hour with a knowledgeable guide, who distributes feed to bring the deer up close – great for photographs. The vehicle takes groups of up to 6.
No dogs. Closed on Tuesdays.
Crawick Multiverse, Artistic Landscape
45 miles NNE ~65 min drive DG4 6EG
A piece of “land art” designed to reflect the cosmos in this area that’s celebrated for its dark skies.
Amazing landforms and sculptures that represent parts of the universe.
Food & Drink
Just arrived? The Barend Food Scene is right on your doorstep. ↑
Hungry?
We’ve done the ‘research’ 😋🤭… For our tried-and-tested favourites check out our…
Cafés
Jump to Fast Food · Pubs & Restaurants
Bainloch Deer Park Bistro
About 20 mins walk
The nearest café, right next door to Barend, and so very convenient for a late breakfast, lunch or afternoon treat.
No dogs. Closed on Tuesdays.
Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Café
11 miles N ~17 min drive Beeswing, DG2 8JQ
A pleasant café that offers a range of delicious items including homemade cakes.
It’s part of a working community that includes the Café & Kitchen, a Bakery, Butchery and Creamery.
Abbey Cottage Tearoom by Sweetheart Abbey
12 miles NE ~20 min drive DG2 8BY
Award winning independent tearoom right next to Sweetheart Abbey ruins.
Good food served by friendly staff! Plenty of parking behind the tearoom. Indoor and outdoor seating and also a small gift shop.
abbeycottagetearoom.com/contact
26 Main St, New Abbey, DG2 8BY
Street Lights Café
13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DZ
Established café offering snacks and lunches with a continental style and also home baked cakes and slices.
fb.com/streetlightscoffeehouse
187 King Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1DZ
Designs Gallery & Café
13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DZ
Open Mon to Sat 10am – 4pm serving coffees, cakes and delicious lunches.
There’s also an outside garden area.
179 King Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1DZ
Fast Food
Jump to Cafés · Pubs & Restaurants
Chip Shops
- The Chip Shop – Dalbeattie (5 miles NW ~11 min drive)
- JJ’s Fish & Chip Shop – Southerness (7 miles E ~15 min drive) – Seasonal, check opening times.
- Moore’s Fish & Chips – Castle Douglas (13 miles WNW ~26 min drive)
Last checked April 2026 – We didn’t order from them all 🤭 but we’ve checked their listings.
Takeaways
- Ernespie House Hotel (13 miles WNW ~22 min drive) – deliver to Barend
- Rose Garden / Ship Inn Restaurant and Chinese Takeaway (5 miles NW ~12 min drive)
- Shezan Indian Takeaway – Dalbeattie (5 miles NW ~12 min drive) – deliver to Barend
- Sea Horse Chinese Dalbeattie (5 miles NW ~12 min drive)
- Best Pizza & Kebab – Dalbeattie (5 miles NW ~12 min drive)
- Thyme to Go Sandwich Shop – Dalbeattie (6 miles NW ~14 min drive)
- The Jewel in the Crown Indian – Castle Douglas (13 miles WNW ~20 min drive)
- Halikarnas (Chips, Pizzas, Burgers, Kebabs) – Castle Douglas (13 miles WNW ~20 min drive)
Pubs & Restaurants
The Birch Tree Hotel (Restaurant & Bar)
7 miles NW ~13 min drive DG5 4AH
Family owned contemporary restaurant and bar offering good quality food and drink from local suppliers.
1 Maxwell Street, Dalbeattie, DG5 4AH
Ernespie House Hotel
13 miles WNW ~22 min drive DG7 3JG
A traditional hotel that’s open for meals and afternoon teas for non-residents.
Oak panelled dining area with log burner. Friendly staff and delicious food.
Ernespie Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Ernespie Rd, Castle Douglas, DG7 3JG
Also see: Places to Eat and pubs, restaurants
Ready to wake up to a Loch view?
Serenity 22 is a genuine Scandinavian timber lodge, perfectly placed for the Colvend Coast.
Occupancy-based pricing for smaller groups.