Less than 45 min drive - Serenity 22 Barend

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

Gone Fishing! near Barend, Dalbeattie

20 May 202420 May 202422 Barend

Barend Loch, nestled peacefully within the tranquil surroundings of the lodges, provides an idyllic setting for carp fishing.

Just 100 metres away, only a 4 minute walk!

Guests at Serenity don’t need a permit, and can enjoy carp fishing right on the loch opposite the lodge (however please only use barbless hooks). Legend has it that a monster 14lb carp was even caught here!

The Birch Tree Hotel, Dalbeattie

5 April 202412 July 202422 Barend

7 miles NW ~13 min drive DG5 4AH

Our Experience

We visited The Birchtree Hotel on a midweek evening in March. Initially we sat in the Bar area, unaware that there’s a separate restaurant area upstairs.

Breakfast outside on a picnic bench overlooking a wild landscape

Top 10 places to eat near the lodge

16 November 202326 March 202522 Barend

It’s actually a top 8 list at the moment! The Crab Pot is coming soon, we’ll review it in April. Also one or two of our other favourite places have closed in the last few months, so we’ll be using it as an excuse to eat out at a few more nearby 😋

This list reflects our tastes and preferences, but we hope you’ll also enjoy going to eat at all of these places!

They’re listed in order of distance from the lodge, and there’s a short summary and a link to our review where applicable so that you can find out more.

View of the stream and Solway from Criffel

Criffel Hike (out-and-back trail) Review

30 October 202316 March 202522 Barend

11 miles NE ~20 min drive DG2 8DH

Criffel is a hill in the historical county of Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. It qualifies as a Marilyn.

The moderately strenuous climb is well worth the effort, rewarding you with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Lunch at Abbey Cottage Tearoom by Sweetheart Abbey

28 October 202316 March 202522 Barend

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.

Dalbeattie Garden Centre, Shop, Tea Room

27 October 202323 November 202322 Barend

Afternoon Tea at The Olive Tree Tearoom, Dalbeattie

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.

Visit to John Paul Jones Cottage Museum

26 October 202328 October 202322 Barend

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.”

Loch Arthur Farm Shop and Café

20 October 202312 December 202322 Barend

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.

A waterfall with 3 distinct water streams

Mares Braids / Back Burn Waterfall Sandyhills

25 March 202327 March 202522 Barend

Distance from the lodge:
2 miles W ~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 NE 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. ⚠️

Great Lunch at Designs Café Castle Douglas

23 March 202323 November 202322 Barend

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.