Tea On The Train (Bellingham) in Northumberland

Food below average, customer service a mixture of good and bad. I ordered a breakfast with orange juice and on seeing the low quality kids' carton of orange juice with a straw, I rejected it. It had printed on the side "orange juice drink" which is usually on artificial orange juice cartons made with cheap flavouring and colouring. The waiter took it away, and then I was surprised to find the cafe manager, a strange looking woman with orange skin and purple hair, somewhat like one of Roald Dahl's Oompa-loompas standing over me and shouting at me that the content of the carton was "fresh orange". I was completely taken aback. I'd rejected it and didn't expect overbearing and threatening behaviour from one of the locals. As it turned out, the carton was a carton of orange juice, that is, squeezed orange juice made from concentrate. But I still didn't want it. It wasn't fresh, and it was cheap and nasty looking. She didn't seem to understand that it having been in a carton for weeks did not make it "fresh orange". Instead, she seemed to think I wanted orange squash when I told her I wanted real orange juice, straight from an orange. She just went on and on at me. It's a minor thing, a misunderstanding of terminology, but I was not feeling well, and she basically bullied me into accepting it. The English breakfast when it came was dreadful. I had asked for the bacon to be crispy. Instead, it was hard and cardboard-like. Everything was just low quality - the bread - everything - which the juice carton should have told me. I'll never go again. I didn't know the idea was to replicate the experience of the 1970s, when train food had a reputation for being awful and service worse, but you live and learn.

Quirky surprise to find a cafe made from on old high speed train first class coach deep in the middle of the Northumberland countryside. There’s a certain incongruity about it. On board the seats are comfortable and the food nice. Really does feel like you are going to move. Worth a fun visit

The replacement train carriage is clean light and airy. The staff are amazing we were served predominantly by Izzy who was amazingly friendly and helpful as was the other staff member. Food was lovely, the carrot cake was one of the best I ever had.

Very disappointing reception at this cafe, when turned away with a group of Tyneside Ramblers at 3.15 after a long hike on Sunday afternoon. According to the website, it is open till 4pm on Sundays, but the lady I spoke to insisted erroneously that the website says 3.30. The Ramblers had also contacted the cafe in advance to say we were coming. We have regularly used this cafe before and found them welcoming in the past, so this was a great disappointment.

We came across this unexpectedly and decided to stop for lunch. There are several two seater tables and several 4 seater tables. The two seaters are pretty cramped and I felt uncomfortable (bad hip) so we moved to a vacant 4 seater. There were 4 tables this size empty and there was a man sitting alone at one of the other 4 seater tables. But the moment we sat down someone from the open kitchen descended upon us and told us in no uncertain terms that it was rush hour and we weren’t allowed to sit there. We reluctantly moved to the much less comfortable table (we would have automatically offered to have moved had the table been needed by a group) and had a nice scone, tea and panini. When we left about an hour later no one had sat at any of the empty tables and my hip was killing me. All they had to do was say we could sit there but if a group came in would we move which would have been fine. A little consideration would have been appreciated. Fab cheese scone and the lady who served us was lovely but shabby customer service otherwise - not all disabilities are obvious and I don’t feel I should be discussing medical issues in public.

Excellent service and food , having been there on quite a few occasions. Today had carrott cake , and having sampled it all over the north east, this was quite simply the best me and my friends have ever had.

What a wonderful place to have a cup of tea! We were visiting the Heritage Centre next door and were taken in by the quirkiness of the idea and decided to have lunch in the carriage. We were greeted by a very friendly and welcoming young man who gave us a few minutes to make our lunch choice. The tea was served in a traditional tea pot in “proper” china tea cups which was just perfect. Our food choices were soup and a cheese scone, ham and cheese sandwich and a sausage and bacon bun, all presented lovely and totally delicious. We were on holiday in the area and wish we live closer as I’d visit all the time. The prices were very reasonable and the service from the staff faultless.

Afternoon tea superb , decent size cups enough coffee for 2 cups each , good wedge of cake , too full to eat carrot cake so taking it away , will definitely be back ❤️🫖🍰

Tea on the Train is situated in a railway carriage at Bellingham station car park, by the Heritage Centre. It is a vey smart inter-city carriage (ex LNER) and is rather plush. They have a decent menu of hot and cold snacks as well as cakes etc. We simply had tea and scones which were perfect, as was the service which was lovely. This is an unusual and very smart tearoom - we will certainly use it again.

Really nice location and second time we’ve visited. The service was good and coffee/cakes of a high standard. Good to hear there is a new carriage being used as could do with a refresh. Would highly recommend.

Excellent afternoon tea, can't recommend enough. A real range of options, and very friendly service Delicious!

We love Tea on the Train! Friendly staff and the food is delicious. We would recommend the afternoon tea the scones were great!

The three ladies provided lovely service and smily faces My husband called them The Three Degrees! The scones with cream and jam were delicious ! Thank you for a nice experience

Was staying locally in a self catering cottage and needed some breakfast on our last morning. Had seen Tea on the Train and thought we would give it a go. What a treat!! We had a sausage barm and a bacon barm with toast and tea and coffee and it was lovely.. Shame it's our last day as the vast selection of cakes looks most delicious!! The ladies serving were absolutely lovely also, extremely friendly and helpful. They also do afternoon tea!! If you are visiting Bellimgham, Hexam, please visit Tea on the Train.. you won't be dissappointed!!

Saw the reviews were good and we weren’t disappointed. As it was my birthday we had afternoon tea. Lovely selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones and drinks. Everything was very tasty especially the coconut and lemon slice. The staff were friendly and helpful and it is such a unique setting. Worth a visit.

We stopped here after walking to the nearby waterfall, this was the perfect treat. Portions were generous and the food was delicious, we had soup, paninis and cakes, all fabulous! Staff were very friendly and patient with our inquisitive children.

Staying in the area, this was on the to do list as the reviews sounded great. It certainly did not disappoint. The sandwiches were freshly made to order, the scones were amazing (we opted for cheese scones). The cakes were dome of the best we have ever had and all home made. Great attentive service without being intrusive. Definitely will be back when next in the area.

A lovely quaint cafe in a old railway carriage outside Bellingham’s old railway station, just next to the Heritage Centre. Lovely friendly staff, delicious meals, cakes and scones! Highly recommend, especially after a walk along Hareshaw Linn as it is just around the corner!

I am sure that I may have ridden this rolling stock at sometime in my youth - this cafe is the epitome of quirky and a nice stop as we trailed across Northumberland. The coffee and cake is excellent and the service very friendly. We will pop in again.

After walking up to the Hareshaw Linn waterfall we stopped here for lunch. The January special of soup, panini and tea or coffee was just what we needed to warm up and refuel! Delicious soup and perfect paninis with great service from friendly staff.

This place is so cute. The food was great and the staff were lovely and welcoming. I’d really recommend coming here, especially after a nice walk to the waterfall near

Our young children were very excited to go for tea on the train! The food was lovely, homemade, & sandwiches were freshly made to order. My daughter had a kid’s afternoon tea & there was plenty on it for her, she particularly liked the chocolate brownie! Staff were friendly & very accommodating. Definitely worth a visit even if it’s just for tea & a scone. We plan on visiting again during our stay at Bellingham.

Quick stop here before heading back to York. Tea and cakes (made by the lady here) we were all stuffed after that. Nice big pots of tea, friendly service. My sister is a vegan and they had a wonderful chocolate and raspberry brownie ( I’ll have to take her word as we didn’t get a look in!!) she said it was amazing. So worth a stop here.

Well where do i start..... I rang up the day before we went to the train ans asked if they did a plan scone as i dont like fruit ones or cheese ones. They said that they would make me one special if i were...

Visited here a few times , each time, food was delicious and reasonably priced. Staff are really friendly too. I took home some sones too.

Delightful. Friendly and welcoming with great cakes. We all enjoyed the experience of dining in the old train carriages. Thank you.

Decided to have tea, scones, jam and cream in the train. Nice relaxed atmosphere, lovely scones with plenty of jam and cream and a steady flow of customers. Not overpriced and well worth the visit. Lovely Heritage centre next to it!

Quirky converted train carriages and platform seating terrace in Bellingham. Perfect on way to Scottish Borders, Kielder or the Roman Wall we only stopped for tea and coffee but we were very much welcomed, drinks were nicely served in a proper tea pot etc. not...

Excellent afternoon tea. We ordered 2 afternoon teas to share between the three of us. Everything was great quality, one of the best scones I’ve ever had! Thanks Matt for being so understanding with our crazy Bedlington Terrier.

We've visited here several times over our holiday and the food is delicious with very generous portions and extremely reasonably priced. There is so much choice and the cakes/deserts are amazing so much so we had to buy more to take back to the cottage....

Great lunch on the old railway carriages at Bellingham Heritage centre. Good menu choice at reasonable price. The cakes are outstanding and you get a huge slice. Had visited the day before for coffee and cakes as well!

Lovely well priced light lunch and much needed iced water (we had been cycling before we got there). The carriages looked familiar to us as we come from the South and so do they! Lovely staff

Another lovely visit to Tea on The Train. Great choice of sandwiches, toasties, paninis and homemade bakery items including a fabulous choice of cakes. My Grandaughter loved the children's afternoon tea and declared the Victoria Sandwich Cake was fabulous! which was served on a lovely...