Emma Relaxing at popular location that now has its own TV show
If you’ve seen the BBC TV programme ‘Life on the bay’ then you’ll know all about the day-to-day experiences at Pettycur Bay Holiday Park. We don’t even have a TV and tend to stick to true crime programmes, but we made an exception and watched Life on the bay as we were visiting. Who knew there was so much going on in a caravan site?
Mark had stayed in the caravans as a child (a long time ago so couldn’t remember much!), but this was a first time for both of us at the Bay Hotel, which are all on the same site. Here’s a view of the hotel from the car park. As you can see, the main road along the Fife coast runs right outside, and on the other side is the sandy Pettycur beach.
If travelling by bus (7/7A service from Dunfermline to Leven), there’s a stop right outside, while Kinghorn train station is a 15 to 20-minute walk away. From the road in, go up the hill and turn left continuing past the leisure facilities to the reception at the back of the hotel.
Check-in was quick and simple, be aware though that there is a £100 charge to your credit card for incidentals.
Facilities
There’s a variety of facilities on-site, with the hotel on one side and the leisure centre on the other, it can get a little bit confusing at first (a map would have been handy showing where all the facilities are). Basically, it’s a single building that has been segregated to ensure that only hotel guests access the hotel but you can still make use of the facilities used by residents of the holiday park.
On-site, there is the Waterfront Lounge and Bar, Horizons Restaurant, a swimming pool, a leisure centre, an amusement arcade, a children’s playroom, a snooker room and a shop selling essentials. There is also an entertainment suite with regular shows, however, we visited during the week out-of-season when no events were scheduled. Click here for their current events page.
Room
This was a Premier Deluxe Room. It is similar to a Deluxe Room except that there is a view out the front of the hotel towards the water. Behind the curtain in our room was a door, rather than a window, with access to tables and chairs on a communal terrace.
A cup of tea was needed, and a fully stocked hospitality tray was spotted. A good selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate and a couple of biscuits was provided to keep us going until dinner.
The en-suite featured a bath, toiletries from Scottish Fine Soaps, a powerful shower and a towel warmer too.
Dining
After some relaxation, it was time for dinner. We had booked into the Horizons restaurant onsite, where fantastic views can be afforded in summer, but not for us however, as being winter, it was already dark when we were seated so would have to wait until morning to enjoy the view. For now, the distant twinkling lights of Edinburgh sufficed.
Horzons restaurant menu
Horizons restaurant wine menu
Staying for a couple of days meant that we could try a few dishes, which was welcome as on the first night we were too full to try any dessert! I know, even the separate pudding stomach wasn’t working!
Starters on our first night were southern fried chicken fillets, and crispy Stornoway black pudding.
All of the starters appeared and were devoured sharply. Cooked freshly and well-presented, these dishes were tasty. Crisp batters, fresh ingredients and served quickly.
Next up the mains, steak pie (my mum would never let me live it down if I hadn’t tried this) and fish and chips.
The fish was massive with a crispy batter. Our only complaint was the pale steak pie pastry – ‘peely-wally’ as my mum would say, another couple of minutes in the oven would sort this. It was still tasty though.
Day 2
Good morning, with a view from our window before we wander upstairs for breakfast.
Breakfast
Back to the Horizons restaurant for breakfast, and this time we could see the view that we missed due to the early winter sunset. Gorgeous, it was so relaxing to sit here and just chill (look closely and you will see a kite surfer).
Some photos of the buffet breakfast.
A full fillet of smoked haddock here and two poached eggs.
Mark also tried the porridge the day. Thumbs up for being offered salty or sweet porridge. He chose a neutral porridge with honey on the side.
Dinner on the second night
On our second night, we opted for the king prawn salad and breaded jalapenos filled with cream cheese.
Followed by a cheesy macaroni cheese (well, we had to!) and a customised burger with added bacon and cheese.
Again freshly cooked and served quickly. Portions were sized well, although we did hear a fellow table saying that smaller sizes should be offered as they couldn’t finish theirs so no pudding for them!
On our second night, we regained our foodie credentials and made it onto dessert, ordering the cheesecake of the day and a trio of ice cream.
Both were eaten quickly and we were quiet – a good sign. Suitably stuffed, we headed back to our room, for some true crime watching. 😉
What to do nearby
Along the Fife coast are a number of picturesque fishing villages, including Earlsferry, Elie, St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail.
Book a boat trip. Take a relaxing boat trip and enjoy unrivalled views of the Firth of Forth and the famous Forth railway and road bridges
Visit a secret nuclear bunker. Underneath a farmhouse lies a secret cold war bunker. Find out how Scotland would have been governed during a nuclear war.
To find out more about what to see and do in Fife, visit the Welcome to Fife website.
Get there
The Bay Hotel is easy to find by car.
From Edinburgh and the South: Take the A90 and cross the Forth Road Bridge. Once over the bridge, take Exit 1 (Admiralty Road/A921 Rosyth). Turn right on the roundabout under the motorway and take the A921 towards Aberdour and Burntisland. In Burntisland, stay on the A921 and head east for Kinghorn. The entrance to The Bay Hotel and Pettycur Bay is on the left between Burntisland and Kinghorn; approximately 1/2 mile outside of Burntisland.
From the North: From the M90 / A90, take Exit 1 (Admiralty Road/A921 Rosyth). Turn left and take the A921 towards Aberdour and Burntisland.In Burntisland, stay on the A921 and head east for Kinghorn. The entrance to The Bay Hotel and Pettycur Bay is on the left between Burntisland and Kinghorn; approximately 1/2 mile outside of Burntisland.
Public Transport
Stagecoach bus 7/ 7A stops right outside.
Kinghorn Railway Station is a 15 to 20-min walk away with regular services to Dundee, Edinburgh and Perth.
Where
The Bay Hotel, Burntisland Rd, Kinghorn KY3 9YE
