Our Review | Serenity 22 Barend

Last summer dates: 2 nights 25-27 July. Check dates

Lunch at Street Lights Cafe in Castle Douglas

4 October 202215 March 202522 Barend

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.

Clatteringshaws Loch & Visitor Centre Review

29 September 202224 March 202622 Barend

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.

⚠️ The café and toilets have been closed since Feb ’25. 😔 If/when the café reopens, we’ll update this post.

Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool

29 September 202225 March 202322 Barend

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.

Shezan Indian Takeaway in Dalbeattie

9 September 202223 November 202322 Barend

This one split opinion in the family! Two of us like spicy food and the rest can’t take the heat!

We sometimes order a few dishes and share them out rather than just having one each. This time we ordered:

The exterior storefront of JJ's Fish & Chip Shop takeaway in the coastal village of Southerness.

JJ’s Fish & Chip Shop – Southerness

5 September 202223 November 202322 Barend

Last checked April 2026 – we visited and updated this post 🙂 Our previous visit was September 2022.

This chip shop is open 8 months of the year from March to November. It’s a little further away than the one in Dalbeattie.

Mabie Farm Park – Fun Day Out

2 September 202229 December 202222 Barend

A fun filled day out with animals to feed and lots of variety of play equipment for all ages.

Breakfast outside on a picnic bench overlooking a wild landscape

Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro

30 August 202231 January 202322 Barend

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…

Sculpture of a Stag at Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro

Exterior storefront of the Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant and The Ship Inn, featuring a blue awning and hanging red lanterns.

Rose Garden / Ship Inn Restaurant and Chinese Takeaway

30 August 202212 March 202522 Barend

Distance from the lodge: 5 miles NW ~11 min drive DG5 4DJ

We chose between the two Chinese takeaways in Dalbeattie. This time we decided to order from Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway, because we could order online and pay by Card.

The exterior storefront of The Chip Shop takeaway on the high street in Dalbeattie.

The Chip Shop Dalbeattie

27 August 202212 March 202522 Barend

Distance from the lodge: 5 miles WNW ~11 min drive DG5 4HE

This is the nearest chip shop to the lodge and we’re pleased to report that it’s a good one!