Dog Friendly - Serenity 22 Barend

Sleeps up to 8 - Loch view - Fast WiFi - Pet Friendly - Pub 4 mins walk - Beach 10 mins - Free Golf & Swimming

Threave Garden & Estate Castle Douglas Review

31 October 20225 March 202522 Barend

Many years ago, before we had our children, we visited Dumfries & Galloway with another couple and camped at Hoddom Castle near Ecclefechan. During that holiday we visited Threave Castle, but at the time we didn’t know about Threave Gardens.

We discovered it a few years back when looking for a holiday cottage near Castle Douglas and ended up staying at the Gate Lodge. That holiday eventually led to us getting the lodge at Barend!

Threave Garden & Estate is a great day out and one of the highlights for us was seeing red squirrels!

Lunch at Street Lights Cafe in Castle Douglas

4 October 202215 March 202522 Barend

Frontage of Street Lights Cafe Castle Douglas

13 miles NW ~20 min drive DG7 1DZ

Street Lights is a small family run café in the town centre, which serves a wide variety of soups, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, etc. There are good veggie, vegan and gluten free options, as well as delicious home baked cakes. They also do take away.

It was quite busy when we visited, but they found us a table for five.

Dog (Cockapoo) with harness sitting in long grass

Dog Friendly Self-catering Cottage in Sandyhills

29 September 20226 March 202522 Barend

For many a holiday is not a holiday without taking their furry friend to enjoy the break too. If you’re looking for a pet/dog friendly self-catering lodge near Dalbeattie you’ve come to the right place!

Beautiful Coastal Walk Sandyhills to Rockcliffe

29 September 202213 March 202522 Barend

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.

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!

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.

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.