10 Best Things To Do In Levenmouth – Fife’s Coastal Corner

If you enjoy sandy beaches, ancient history and tranquil outdoor spaces, then you’ll find plenty of things to do in Levenmouth to keep you happy! That’s without mentioning the amazing local food on offer from both land and sea. With the new rail link to Leven opening in June 2024, it’s time to start planning your own trip to Levenmouth!

It’s a coastal corner of Fife that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but it’s perfect for family days out or special weekends away. While the seaside charm might make you nostalgic for childhood holidays, this area is no time capsule. There are plenty of modern businesses and activities to discover as you might expect from a thriving local community!

This article is part of a paid campaign on behalf of Welcome To Fife but all opinions are my own.

Where Is Levenmouth?

You can find Levenmouth on the east coast of Fife. It’s the area surrounding the town of Leven, stretching from West Wemyss in the southwest to Drumeldrie in the northeast. It’s a perfect place to base yourself when visiting the rest of Fife, with the East Neuk just along the coast, St Andrews a wee bit further and villages like Falkland and Ceres a short drive away.

It’ll take you around an hour to drive to Levenmouth from Edinburgh and 1 hour 20 minutes from Glasgow. Leven and the surrounding area is well served by a good bus service and there will be trains available from June 2024.

Explore The Wemyss Caves

Once you step foot in the Wemyss Caves, you’ll quickly understand why they’re undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Levenmouth. This incredible collection of coastal caves is like nothing else in Scotland. While anybody can pick up keys to access the caves from local shops, it’s far better to join one of the guided tours run by the Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society.

Inside, you’ll see evidence of just how long this area of Fife has been inhabited. While it’s impossible to date stone, there are many carvings that can be classed as Pictish, created between 300 and 900AD. They include Pictish beasts, Z-rods, crescents, double discs and even what seems to be a longship.

You’ll find the best depictions in Court Cave and Jonathan’s Cave but there’s one particularly interesting carving in what you might call the passageway. Just before Court Cave, you’ll find a figure, holding what looks to be a spear, beside what might be a crude deer. It’s a different style to typical Pictish carvings so could be an example of even earlier inhabitants.

As well as learning about the history of the Wemyss Caves, the path passes MacDuff’s Castle. This historic ruin was built by the Wemyss family although the site was once the main base of the powerful Earls of Fife.

Seek Tranquility At Silverburn Park

If you’re looking for outdoor things to do in Levenmouth then you’ll want to head to Silverburn Park. Once part of the Russell Family estate, Silverburn was gifted to the town council 50 years ago on the condition that it was maintained as a quiet area for locals to enjoy nature. It’s still a popular spot for those looking for a wee bit of wilderness.

Go for a walk in the walled garden and explore the meditation areas or watch the wildlife inside the hide by the pond. You can even use Silverburn as a base for your visit to Levenmouth by staying at the campsite! Don’t miss picking up the best scones in Fife from the Cottage Window Café.

You might notice scaffolding surrounding the old Flax Mill, once the centre of a thriving local industry. Soon, it will be given a new lease of life as it’s converted into an amazing community space. There will be artists’ studios, a new restaurant and even a hostel to allow even more people to enjoy the area.

Wander Through Letham Glen

You’re never short of outdoor space to enjoy in Levenmouth. One of the highlights is Letham Glen, tucked away in a corner of Leven and an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the town. For those exploring the area by car, there’s a large car park as well as toilets at hand.

Take a stroll through the sunken garden, once an outdoor swimming pool or entertain the kids in the nearby playground. For those with a spare half an hour, enjoy the short woodland walk alongside the river.

Hit Leven Beach

As a child growing up in Fife, I fondly remember a trip to the beach was always one of the best things to do in Levenmouth. There’s a huge expanse of sand stretching along the coast for you to enjoy, whether that’s building sandcastles, playing with the dog or just watching the sunset. For anybody who doesn’t want to risk sandy shoes, take a stroll on the promenade and meet Postie the Scottie Dog!

Leven Beach has always been important to the area and when the railway first arrived here in 1850s, the town quickly became a popular tourist resort. The water is still drawing people in, even with the chilly Scottish weather. The Fife Dippers are a group who embrace open water swimming and welcome any new members who want to take the plunge themselves!

Walk The Fife Coastal Path

As you walk along Leven Beach, you’re actually following one of the most picturesque stretches of the Fife Coastal Path. Stretching for 117 miles from Kincardine to Newburgh, it’s a well waymarked trail and offers a wide range of highlights.

Utilising the Fife Coastal Path gives you the option of experiencing lots more of the things to do in Levenmouth without the need for your car. After arriving in Leven by the new rail service, head south towards the Wemyss Caves or north towards Lundin Links and Largo!

Be Amazed At The Standing Stones Of Lundin

Hidden away on a golf course in Lundin Links is an incredible example of Levenmouth’s earliest history. The Standing Stones of Lundin are some of Scotland’s largest standing stones, even though they’re now 4000-year-old golf hazards.

Originally part of a larger circle of at least four, they were once believed to mark the graves of Danish generals killed by Macbeth, although we now know that they’re far older. We may never know much about their original use, but standing beneath them, you can’t help gaze up in awe!

Ask at the starter’s hut at the Lundin Ladies Golf Course and you’ll be given an information sheet and directed towards the stones.

Hike Up Largo Law

For those who’d like a challenging thing to do in Levenmouth, climb to the top of Largo Law. It’s a steep hike to the top, but it shouldn’t take more than an hour and the views are incredible. Like lots of places in Fife, this wee hill has a fascinating story.

It’s said that a spirit guards a hoard of gold hidden somewhere in Largo Law. Once, a young shepherd boy approached the ghost and was told: “If Auchindownie cock disna craw, And Balmain horn disna blaw, I’ll tell ye where the gold mine is in Largo Law.” He rushed around killing all the cockerels and made the cowherd of Balmain promise not to blow his horn.

Just as dawn was breaking the next day and the spirit was about to reveal the location, the Balmain horn blew. We don’t know why the cowherd broke his word but the guardian disappeared and the gold remains hidden to this day!

Discover The Real Robinson Crusoe

In the wee fishing village of Lower Largo, you’ll find memorials to one of the greatest true stories in Fife. Above the door of the house built on his old cottage stands the statue of Alexander Selkirk – the real life Robinson Crusoe. Abandoned on an island off the coast of Chile, Selkirk survived alone there for four years and four months until his rescue.

Another sign of the story can be found in Upper Largo Kirk. One of the few graves beside the church is that of Alexander’s parents. With the famous sailor being buried at sea, it was the next best place for admirers to leave shells as offerings which now surround the headstone.

Just inside the gate of the kirkyard, a cage protects the incredible Largo Pictish Stone. It’s considered a Class II stone since it contains both Christian and Pagan symbols. One side shows a badly eroded hunting scene while the other displays a cross as well as entwined mythical beasts.

Wemyss School Of Needlework

While there are lots of outdoor things to do in Levenmouth, you might want to warm up at Wemyss School of Needlework. The school has been going since 1877 when Dora Wemyss realised that young girls in the area had little prospect of employment. These weren’t bored, aristocratic ladies but the daughters of local miners and Dora gave them the chance to stand on their own feet.

Today, the school is still going strong, open on Wednesdays, Thurdays and Saturdays. There are regular classes for anybody to attend and learn the art of needlework, even beginners like me! It’s a thriving hub for local enthusiasts, either to learn new skills or just enjoy the company.

You don’t have to pick up a needle to visit, there’s also a small museum to enjoy. You’ll be given a warm welcome and talked through some of the amazing pieces on display. This little spot in Levenmouth once received orders from the rich and powerful across Europe and so their collection is incredible!

Meet The Animals At Wellsgreen Farm

One of the best places to visit in Levenmouth with families has to be Wellsgreen Farm. They offer “meet the animals” sessions and farm walks to come face to face with goats, alpacas, sheep and more. As well as these regular encounters, there are special seasonal events like bottle-feeding lambs during April.

Wellsgreen is still a working farm though, bridging the gap between the public and the food that they eat. It doesn’t get more sustainable than buying your food within sight of where it was grown or raised! In the newly converted farm shop, pick up local produce and make sure you don’t miss the delicious ready meals.

Where To Eat In Levenmouth

Colliers Coffee Roasters – An incredible wee coffee shop near Leven Bus Station. They take their coffee seriously and the end result proves that!

Lundin Coffee Co – A great spot for lunch in Lundin Links, enjoy delicious soup and a hearty sandwich!

Standing Stane Restaurant – A popular restaurant at Wellsgreen Farm with local produce on the menu.

Upper Largo Hotel & Restaurant – Hearty local food in what was once a 17th century coaching inn!

The Crusoe – Delicious food and great service in a historic building. This is a place so proud of their food that they put the story of their butcher and fishmonger on the menu!

This content is part of a project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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