Things to do in Elie

[knittedthrow]

Hello, can anyone give me a list of things to do in Elie (especially if the weather turns out to be bad)?
Have a just turning 3yo to keep entertained who loves soft play, swimming and generally is quite physically active.
I won't have a car while I'm there, need to fill 4 days. Will be staying at the harbour and could take short taxis.
If it's sunny then we'll go to the beach, play in the garden of the cottage we're in, go for walks etc. I'm picturing it raining though and being stuck inside with a grumpy threenager

Ps I'd happily still go out in the rain. Said threenager insists on trying to run into the sea then complain that he's cold etc so it's not a fun experience

Errr - can't think off the top of my head of any toddler-friendly things to do indoors in Elie.

Does it have to be a taxi - is there a reason you can't take the bus? There is a nice swimming pool in Leven (Levenmouth), that is good for toddlers. Ardross Farm on the outskirts of Leven has a kid's play area and I think there will still be a decent soft play in Leven itself. Look them up on the web. Of course you could go to St Andrews, but that is quite a long journey by public transport with a fractious toddler.

Anstruther has the Fisheries museum but I haven't been in years.

I've just looked at Levenmouth Pool online and it seems to be closing imminently due to tile failure after refurbishment ! Not sure when you will be going to the area?

There is a holiday park at Shell Bay - not sure if they allow non-residents to use their facilities.

Thanks @PurpleFrog that's great. I could take the bus, I just don't know the area so might struggle to find bus stops etc.
DS would probably like to take the bus, it could be an activity in itself.
We're going in August!

@PurpleFrog have you heard of the sea safari? Wondering if ds would be too young.

@knittedthrow - bus is fine. You can look at timetables online from Stagecoach East Scotland. Bus stops have times and destinations on them. You can download a phone app as well, if you want.

I just realised I got my farm shops confused earlier. Ardross Farm Shop is between Elie and St Monans and has some really nice stuff, but no play area. Blacketyside Farm is the one on the outskirts of Leven with play area and cafe. Not sure how much of the play area is inside, though. Note that it is closed on a Sunday.

I haven't done the Sea Safari. A local discount site, itison, was offering cut price tickets last year from Elie, but there were various conditions about having so many full-paying passengers on each trip so decided not to chance taking a day off work and failing to get on. I don't know if there is a minimum age.

The beach at Elie harbour is lovely - it is like a big lagoon when the tide is in.

Disclaimer: I don't live in any of the East Neuk villages but do live in North East Fife and we are often in the area. Someone may be along soon with more helpful info for small children as mine is well past that stage!

Could you get the bus to cupar and go to cairnie fruit farm my kids love it there if the weather is ok you can spend a whole day in the park.

@Redyoyo according to an app I've downloaded it's 3 buses and over 2 hours away. It looks really good as well.

Scotlands secret bunker is interesting, would appeal to the teenager. Between Anstruther and St Andrews.

@StrongTea it's a 3yo I have (threenager)
Will look it up anyway thanks

I don’t think there is teenager? Just a 3 year old.

I was concentrating on wet weather venues close to Elie. Cairnie is too difficult to get to without a car and isn’t that great in wet weather. Muddy Boots has more to do if it’s wet and is on the main road between Glenrothes and Cupar. It’s another farm with an outdoor and indoor play area and cafe.

St Andrews has a good aquarium if it’s wet, and a swimming pool which is toddler friendly, but is a bit of a trek by public transport.

Go along to the windmill at St Monans...we went last night on our way back from fish suppers at Anstruther Fish Bar

I think you’ll be near enough by taxi to Kilconquhar Castle. It has a swimming pool, kids play park and some nice grounds for walking. Not sure if you can use the facilities as a non-resident but that maybe worth exploring.

Bus to St. Andrews & go swimming, visit the aquarium, go to the cinema.

Then bus to Leven, go to the Kino cinema.

Failing that, pack wellies and waterproofs & take a few walks along the various beaches & coastal path.

@Urbanvoltaire looks like it's 3 hours on buses to st Andrews.

It's an hour each way. If you sit on the top rhs you'll get a lovely view. Maybe that's too long a trip with a 3yo though.

Which bus is that? I'm using 'Moovit' app so don't know how reliable is it.
It could be too long, depends what mood he's in and how busy the bus is!

Bus into Leven is 15 mins

Bus from Leven to St. Andrews is 25 mins.

Fine if your toddler likes travelling on the bus.

Sorry that wasn’t clear - you don’t go all the way into Leven, you can change buses at Upper Largo . It’s the 95 bus to Leven and you change for the 97 to St. Andrews .

Get off at the post office and cross the road to the bus stop on the other side.

You won’t need to though because the sun always shines in Elie

I was looking at the timetable for the 95. Rosemarys route is quicker though if you go via upper largo.