12 miles NE ~20 min drive DG2 8BY
These small but pleasant tea rooms are right next to the Abbey ruins but are run independently and open at times when the Abbey is closed. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and also a small gift shop too.
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Family Friendly
Places that are good to visit with kids
Dalbeattie Garden Centre, Shop, Tea Room
6 miles NW ~12 min drive DG5 4DS
Dalbeattie Garden Centre is reasonably priced and has a good selection of plants. The shop is surprisingly big and has necessary gardening items as well as toys and gifts.
Read moreVisit to 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
If you’re thinking “John Paul Jones – who’s he?” Then you’re not alone. 3 of the 5 people in our group hadn’t heard of him before visiting this little museum in the village of Kirkbean.
It’s the Historic Birthplace Museum of John Paul Jones, the “Father of the American Navy.”
Read moreLoch Arthur Farm Shop and Café
Loch Arthur farm shop, near Beeswing in D&G, offers a great selection of crafts, gifts, and locally produced organic fruit and vegetables, plus pantry staples.
11 miles N ~17 min drive Beeswing, DG2 8JQ
There’s also a pleasant little café that offers a range of delicious items including homemade cakes.
Read moreDay Trip to Stunning Culzean Castle
Culzean (pronounced “cull-ane”, not “cull-zeen”) is a fair drive from the Lodge, however it’s well worth the effort to visit this amazing castle and country park. We set off around 9:30am and arrived at Culzean Castle at about 11:15am.
The huge grounds have a number of different car parks spread out over the estate.
Read moreGreat Lunch at Designs Café Castle Douglas
13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DZ
Designs Gallery & Cafe in King Street, Castle Douglas – established for over 25 years – serves coffees, cakes and lunches (see a picture of the menu below).
We’d been in shop before but didn’t notice the entrance to the café (it’s to the right of the steps in the middle of the shop)!
Go down the stairs through some doors to the ‘basement’ and then the café counter is on your left. Tables then extend on your right all the way to the back of the building. At the end of the room, through some double doors, there’s also a light and airy (but still warm in colder weather) conservatory that leads out into the garden.
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Threave Garden & Estate Castle Douglas Review
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!
Read moreBeautiful Coastal Walk Sandyhills to Rockcliffe
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.
Read moreClatteringshaws Loch & Visitor Centre Review
A place of beauty and tranquility, Clatteringshaws Loch is a must for anyone who loves to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and soak up nature.
⚠️ As of Feb ’25 the café is and toilets are closed. 😔If/when the café reopens, we’ll update this post.
Read moreKirkcudbright Swimming Pool
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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