A fun filled day out with animals to feed and lots of variety of play equipment for all ages.
Read moreMabie Farm Park – Fun Day Out
Less than 45 min drive
Cream o’ Galloway Ice Cream Parlour
Cream o’ Galloway has been in the news in the last few months (Mar 2025). The Visitor Centre/Ice Cream Parlour that we visited when reviewing below is now closed. This is because the company was bought in January 2024, by a company called Brymor. Excerpts of a statement in Jan ’25 from Brymor are below.
“In January 2024, Brymor purchased the Cream O’ Galloway Ice Cream Brand.
Brymor manufactures and distributes premium ice cream, made on the farm on their site outside Masham, North Yorkshire and has been trading for 40 years.
It was evident from the outset that the manufacturing equipment [at the Cream o’ Galloway farm near Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet,] and the whole site was tired and required significant new investment. Therefore, we are consolidating the manufacturing to the Brymor site.
Brymor has over 40 years’ experience in ice cream manufacturing … the brand will benefit from newer, more efficient equipment, as well as benefiting from the sustainable and environmentally friendly resources that Brymor has implemented over the last 4 years.
We will continue to distribute the Cream O’Galloway range from [The Cocoabean Company, Ashland, Twynholm, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4NP] … This means all local customers and holiday visitors can continue to use the full range of ice cream at The Cocoabean whilst enjoying the fabulous facilities, events and of course chocolate at the Cocoabean.”
Distance from the lodge: 29 miles WSW ~41 min drive
Cream o’ Galloway is a great place if you love ice cream!
They have a wide variety of flavours and a range of price options.
We spent a sunny afternoon there.
Read moreBainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro
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.
Parking spaces are plentiful and the large cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. We went in the afternoon and enjoyed drinks and cakes sitting out on a picnic bench on the terrace. The prices seem reasonable, and there’s a good selection of cakes and snacks. The kids particularly enjoyed their ice cream milkshakes. There’s table service and the staff are all very friendly and efficient. On our first visit we spent an hour or so there, but we’ve been back a few times since…
Kippford – the Solway Riviera
Kippford is a picturesque little village that has also been called the “Solway Riviera”. It benefits from the Gulf Stream and is popular for sailing, with many small yachts moored in the tidal estuary of the River Urr.
Read moreKirkcudbright ‘the Artist Town’
Pronounced “kir-coo-bree“
Kirkcudbright has colourful houses, independent shops, a marina, a harbour and castle ruins overlooking the town. It’s a renowned artist town with art galleries to peruse. It’s also a classic harbour town famous for its scallop and lobster fishing.
Read moreFree Round of Golf
When you book Serenity 22 Barend through this site/Barend Holiday Lodges you can have one free round of golf at Craigieknowes Golf Club.
4 miles ~8 min drive
Craigieknowes is just 3 miles from Kippford, alongside a stretch of beautiful coastline known as the Scottish Riviera. It has a challenging 9 hole par 3 course along with a “Tee” room for refreshments after (or instead! :)).
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