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Relax & Recharge

Things to do, places to see

We hope you’ll really enjoy yourselves while you’re on holiday in Dumfries & Galloway! What kind of break do you want, active or relaxing? We’ve tried to cover both! Places we’ve visited are listed, plus lots more we’d still like to see (mostly by distance from the lodge).

Click on the images or headings below for more info.

What is there to do in the area?

From Serenity’s doorstep within the site at Barend… to Sandyhills, the Solway Firth, the Colvend and Dalbeattie countryside and beyond …Dumfries and Galloway offers plenty to see and do.

If you just want to relax, enjoy the beauty of the area and occasionally stop for tea ☕️ and cake 🍰, need places to keep the kids occupied, or want an exhilarating holiday hiking 🥾, mountain biking 🚲 or sailing ⛵️ …there’s something for everyone.

Please browse Relax & Recharge to see what awaits you in Dumfries and Galloway!

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Things to do while on holiday

Below are things and places we’ve been to, or plan to visit in and around Sandyhills, the Solway Coast, or further afield in Dumfries & Galloway. Click on the an image or heading below for more information and our review. We also have a post that lists our top 3 places for each category.

These tags may make it easier to find activities:

on rainy days
with free admission
£10 and under per person
in walking distance – this is for a (reasonably) gentle stroll; for more strenuous walking and hiking see those tags.
less than 45 min drive

Would you find another category helpful? Let us know…

For even more holiday ideas, see: www.visitsouthwestscotland.com

Sightseeing

Sandyhills Beach

About 10 mins walk

Large, sandy and warmed by the gulf stream, popular for paddling and exploring rock pools.

Excellent for walkers at low tide, check ‘good to know’ for tides info.

For more beaches to visit click on the beach tag!

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 track to the next village.

Threave Garden & Estate

14 miles WNW ~27 min drive DG7 1RX

www.nts.org.uk

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

forestryandland.gov.scot

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

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.

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.

Somewhere to suggest? Let us know…

Attractions

Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro

About 15 mins walk

www.bainlochdeerpark.co.uk

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.

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

johnpauljonesmuseum.com

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

www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk

“Sulwath” is the ancient name for the Solway Estuary.

Brewers of hand crafted traditional real ales to exacting standards.

“Conducted tour every Monday & Friday at 1pm.”

Mabie Farm Park

17 miles NE ~26 mins drive

mabiefarmpark.co.uk

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

www.darkspaceplanetarium.org

The Dark Space Planetarium is an interesting experience if you enjoy all things Space related!

There are lots of interactive exhibits and a planetarium.

Crawick Multiverse, Artistic Landscape

45 miles NNE ~65 min drive DG4 6EG

www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk

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.

Gem Rock Museum

39 miles W ~54 min drive Creetown, DG8 7HJ

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…

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…

Somewhere to suggest? Let us know…

Shopping for gifts etc.

Kirkcudbright

(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

13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DX

www.castledouglas.info

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.

Aerial photo of Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

Somewhere to suggest? Let us know…

Active

Swimming

About 4 mins walk!

Book through our website for free exclusive use of the swimming pool!

Sauna

About 4 mins walk!

Book through our website for free exclusive use of the sauna!

Hand made wood-fired sauna and cold dip tubs at Barend, Sandyhills, Dalbeattie

Free Round of Golf

4 miles W ~8 min drive DG5 4QS

When you book through our website you can have a free visit to Craigieknowes Golf Club.

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

www.lochken.co.uk

Loads of adventurous activities to choose from including sailing, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking, archery, mountain biking, climbing and much, much more…