The Running Fox - Longhoughton in Northumberland

This is a great, dog-friendly eaterie. We chanced upon it, looking for a cafe before we headed to the beach. We needed to park on the main road as the car park was full: a sign of a popular establishment. Only stayed for hot drinks and a scone, but other guests were tucking into breakfast cum brunch, and all seemed pleased with their food. We shall return when in the area again. Thank you.

My partner booked us a table for afternoon tea as a surprise for my birthday. Upon arrival we were seated on the first table in the entrance around the tree, right I front of the till and service area even though there were lots of other tables available, I asked to be moved and they were completely fine. We ordered drinks which turned up incorrect (white wine with ice!) Then we ordered our afternoon tea options. The selection for this was great plenty of options and when it arrived looked and tasted lovely! Although 2 very large sandwiches that weren’t cut were awkward to handle/eat. The reason for my review is the service was atrocious! Rude and unprofessional. We couldn’t finish our food so had asked if it could be boxed up to take away were given a couple of boxes and told to do it ourselves! The banoffee pie was huge and just completely fell apart in my fingers trying to manouvre it into a box, no one even tried to help sort this. There was a young girl who was generally just rude, she was eating and drinking at the till, staff were filling up their “Stanley” cups with drinks, picking at food and eating. No hands were washed and continued to serve food and drinks to the public. The young girl continued with a bad attitude when we asked for anything. We weren’t offered our tea/coffee as we had ordered other drinks we had to ask for these and it definately felt like a chore to them. Slightly disappointed to say the least. I may could understand if they were rushed and bust but they weren’t. After have taken our food away and going to eat the banoffee pie later, the cream that was on there was definitely not fresh and tasted sour! Real shame and wouldn’t return

We haven’t been to the Running Fox in years. We decided to visit the Longhoughton cafe on a Saturday. We rang up before we went to make sure we could book a table. We managed to get a table for 2 at 1pm. The cafe is large and the tables spread out so you’re not crammed in on top of each other. It felt very spacious. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. We ordered our food waited about 30 mins for it to come which was fine. The food was absolutely amazing. The portions were huge and the prices were very affordable for the quality and size. They will box up any food you leave or wish to take home. We ordered 3 cakes to take home as we were so full after our lunch. Dogs are welcome too. We will be back to try the breakfast and of course their afternoon tea. Highly recommend. Private parking at the venue is very limited, but there is a small public carpark in the village about a 5 minute walk from the cafe.

We visited for breakfast this morning, and had a full English breakfast and sweet eggy bread - both were good sized portions, and delicious. We had our dog with us and he was made very welcome, given treats and a water bowl. The interior was lovely and the staff were helpful and friendly. Well worth a visit.

This is a delightful find! We appeared at a busy lunchtime without a booking and the staff found us a table immediately. The food is extremely good, huge portions and beautifully served. The staff were very friendly indeed and couldn’t do enough to help. We were so full after our enormous sandwiches that we couldn’t manage the cakes so we bought some from the little shop attached to the restaurant along with some quiche for our evening meal. All delicious and very reasonably priced. Definitely a place to return to. And it is dog friendly!

I love the running fox at all there venues and I’m sorry to give three stars but we went for Mother’s Day breakfast and as much as I am happy to see dog friendly cafes as I have a dog myself ( although not present on Sunday). A family had a spaniel which sat on a chair with its front paws on the table and was being fed by its owners from the table top. Each time it wanted more food it started barking. My mother walked out she hated it. Maybe a sign with paws on floors please? Definitely a step too far and no idea why people think it’s okay.

Visited today with a group of friends after hearing so many good reviews!! We were seriously let down!! Took over 30mins to take a drinks order. Then we had to get the staffs attention to take our food order. The food we ordered was ‘ok’ nothing amazing like we were expecting. Then we were left for nearly an hour, no one checked our food was ok or to take more drinks ordered. We again had to ask to be served for dessert! The lady that took the cake order said she would be straight back to clear the table… 20mins later she came back with the cakes but the table was still cluttered with our lunch dishes! Not somewhere I will be visiting again, very disappointed

We bought some quiche and pork pie which was absolutely delicious - to take out - as we had our dog with us (even though it's very dog friendly, even inside) - All homemade, the desserts looked utterly scrumptious too. Just sorry we live 200 miles away.... or maybe it's just as well, my waistline wouldn't thank me! 😀 Very highly recommended.

Visited virtually all of The Running Fox venues but Longhoughton over the past few years has been the best for us until the last two visits. I booked a table for 2 with a view to have breakfast… I ordered the smaller ‘cub’ breakfast, my egg not cooked, asked for bacon to be well done but came looking like a piece of under cooked ham not bacon so asked for it to be cooked a little more came back like a piece of cardboard, could not cut it with my knife. The toast was so thick there was no way I could manage to eat it! There was always a warm and welcoming atmosphere but this has not been the experience on the last two occasions! I don’t like to leave negative views but it was a really poor experience.

Been once before and recalled how much we had enjoyed a coffee and cake, so we booked for lunch. Great good (soup and a sarnie) with cake to follow. Staff very friendly and efficient. Rainy day in January so not completely full but suggest you book in advance in busier times of the year...but it is well worth it!! We'll be back!

Ordered a white hot chocolate they said we have dark, milk, white and ruby flakes so specifically said white chocolate flakes and they used milk chocolate flakes! It was still nice tho! Parking is a nightmare, have to park around houses next to driveways etc - bet they ain’t happy about this! Usually best running fox for cake selection but was poor today! Came at 4:10 said closes at 5 but weren’t that quick at serving mind so we finished at 4:57! Defo overpopulated place!

Visited this RF for the first time with friends. Cafe was busy but a good buzz. We ordered soup/ sandwiches and cake. We were asked if we wanted bread with the soup however it arrived with none.. I enquired as to wether we would be charged for this and our lovely waitress said there would be a small charge. My brother left with the bill so I’m not sure yet if we had been charged .. we declined the bread as it came with croutons anyway. My brother had a cheese melt , the bread was at least 2-3 inches thick with the topping balanced atop. Far too thick .. he left most of it. Most of our meal was very well cooked and tasty but I have to add that this particular venue isn’t as well run as the Felton/ longframlington set up. Young waitresses that don’t know the beer selections to servers that are not sure if there is a charge for extras.. maybe a bit of in-house training wouldn’t go a miss.. a long way to come from Whitley bay for some soup and cake, would rather go to Felton

No idea what or where these other reviewers have eaten... but it's not here. The exterior doesn't do the interior justice and the food is exceptional. Catered fully for gluten free with ease. The sandwiches were enormous, interesting flavours, fully customised and fresh. The pastry or fritatta were also huge, freshly baked and delicious. Cakes amazing and speak for themselves. A look at the fresh deli counter tells you all you need to know. We will return, very impressed!

We have been coming to the running fox for a number of years, but we normally go to the one in Felton. We thought we would try Longhoughton as it was close to where we wanted to go for the day. We wished we never did. We had booked a table for afternoon for 12. On arrival we were seated promptly. There was plenty of staff. We waited approximately 10 minutes for our drinks prefer to be taken then a long wait of approximately 15 minutes had passed and no food order was taken. I asked the waitress if I could place our order, and was advised she would have to check. She returned after what I assume was a discussion with her manager and she advised she had a table of 12 in and could take my order but there would be a delay of 25 minutes. We asked why they had taken our booking if they couldn’t accommodate the orders in the kitchen. No response or apology was provided. The food arrived close to 12:50. The sandwiche was lovely we ordered the beef sandwiche. The rest was very disappointing we had a savoury afternoon tea, the cheese was the end part and was hard, the Brie wasn’t edible. The scones were flat and underbaked. At no point did anyone ask how it was or if we needed anything else. On paying we again weren’t asked if everything was ok. The whole experience was highly disappointing. There was a clear lack of leadership in the cafe, and basic customer service. The food served is not what we have ever been served at the running fix and after spending £50 at this cafe I would advise anyone there’s much better service and food locally that what was produced here. I hope they start listening to the feedback customers are providing as there’s numerous reviews as they are going to ruin what was a fantastic business that many like myself were prepared to travel far for.

Do you get a warm welcome?...do you heck!! In fact we always felt a very cold unfriendly atmosphere and got sick of looking at the boring repetitive menu which is ridiculously over priced for example £8.30 for a sausage sandwich or £12.95 for a Foxy Sarnie stuck on a plate with either coleslaw, crisps OR salad or a whopping £24 for Afternoon Tea for one person, no thank you. They don't even have the courtesy to respond to any of their reviews.

Called in for breakfast and seated promptly by a friendly waitress ordered food which again arrived very quickly which showed in the quality of the food ! The bacon and sausage had obviously been left under a heat lamp as it was tough and the sausage seemed poor quality, the butter that accompanied the toast was so hard I didn’t even bother trying to put it on the toast. Finally have a word with the staff who are constantly stroking dogs and then handling food very unhygienic. I doubt there will be a reply to this judging by previous comments !

Booked for afternoon tea. Ordered the xmas menu. Sandwiches had very little filling; the bacon and brie had one medallion and a lot of fat. The turkey and stuffing had one thin slice of packet turkey (advertised as roast turkey!) The pie was tepid and fatty and when we asked for gravy the waitress looked aghast! The female waitress really couldn't be bothered and had a poor attitude. The male waiter was pleasant and helpful. We didn't get the xmas crackers etc until we asked. Having been to the Shilbottle venue, i would not return to this one.

The good bit - we enjoyed the food. Tasty traditional lunch, mega-calorie dessert. What's not to like? The not-so-good bit - the decor is a bit cold - tiled floor is probably nice in summer, but chilly on a nasty November day. The wind came in the front door and made me think I should put my coat on. I was hoping for "cosy"; I got "clinical". The bad bit - poor service. We were sitting looking at each other waiting for someone to take our order. Staff walked by our table without a glance. I was starting to think I'd worn my Harry Potter invisibility cloak. Same thing with dessert - someone cleared our main plates but never asked us what else we'd like - another wait. The staff are friendly but need someone to give a spot of training.

Very disappointed as been many times dirty tables long wait to order un experience staff just walking past dirty tables we sat for a while with dirty plates in front of us and was waiting for a cake order to be taken which never happened so just got up and paid Hubby had the steak & ale pie which the steak was very chewy and tastless

Heading up to Seahouses for the weekend we managed to grab a table at The Running Fox. Been many times before but only for takeout. Service by Tracy was friendly and she was fantastic throughout our lunch. Food was delicious, soup and pie for me whilst my lunch companion ordered soup and a sandwich melt which looked as good as it tasted. Definitely worth a stop just make sure you have a big appetite as the portions are a canny size.

We visited this location for the first time on a Sunday lunchtime. We had the tuna melt and steak pie. The food was good and served in a timely manner. The staff were nice. Two things that were off putting: Two staff members walked right...

Lovely place ,set out nice , highly decorated but high tea for 2 , 48.00....., think someone has just gouged my eyes out and peed in the sockets... 2 sandwiches, 2 scones, 2 pieces of pie, butter and clotted cream as extras , waited over...

An excellent place for great food. Reasonably priced and very well prepared. We came in August but had to return when we were in the local area. Well worth booking in advance using their website.

Brilliant as always. Delicious quiche and sandwich (GF bread is the best we have had) and tasty tasty coffee. The cakes should have their own review as they are so good. Building doesn’t look impressive from the outside but please go in- it’s so cosy...

Highly recommend eating here,food and coffee we had was delicious,large portions and so tasty.Dining area is extremely well presented and all staff were lovely and friendly.Cant wait to revisit Northumberland purely for this!!

Came here with friends after they visited a few weeks ago and said we had to try. Lovely place but a chore to get parked. Friendly welcome and good options on the menu. Decided on the tuna melt doorstop with chilli jam. Very tasty but...

Absolutely loved the newest Running Fox, same fabulous food and fantastic service. We all had afternoon tea, which is super value, we had to take our cakes home as we were all full after the delicious sandwiches, pies and scones. Can’t wait to visit again.

My friends and I had afternoon tea at this establishment. Nothing was a bother for our excellent waitress Carol. The afternoon tea was wonderful. The portions plentiful and delicious. Would highly recommend a visit.

We combined a trip to the stunning local beach (£1 per car donation to charity to use the route down through a farm) with a fabulous brunch and cake at The Running Fox. So good we tried 3 out of 4 of their sites.

This is the most fantastic cafe serving absolutely delicious food. A little pricey but you get a lot of food! The sandwiches are enormous with lots of filling. The pie is sooo good. My husband had the afternoon tea and it was very impressive. The...

Lovely environment, great team, generous portions, delicious and high quality food. Really easy to recommend. It’s my new favourite place ‘up the coast’ & will be returning. Booking recommended

Absolutely fabulous. Great food, quality ingredients, hot, tasty, freshly made, what more do you want? It wasn't too badly priced either. The place itself is also very nice. We'll definitely be going back.

Having visited the other Running Fox establishments before we made the trip to Longhoughton on Sat, 5 August, to see if this venue met the high standards of the other Running Foxes, and we were not disappointed. After being shown to our table, we were...

Beautiful food and excellent service. The staff were extremely helpful and the surroundings and lovely and comfortable.

Last minute drop in, fitted us in and made us very welcome, staff great, friendly and accommodating, latte excellent, cakes delicious and moist, worth a visit

What can I say. Ridicules prices for basic stuff. £11.50 for a sandwich. OK, the bread is ‘artisan’ but not £11.50 worth. Acoustics are also bad, so hard to listen. Didn’t stay.

Food was great, service absolutely shocking. Everything had to be asked for multiple times, waited about 35 mins for the bill. We didn’t seem to be the only ones waiting. Would probably avoid and go to one of the others instead.

We popped in for coffee and scones and were very satisfied. both coffee and scones were very good and the jam was delicious! Really enjoyed it!

Omg…. This place is amazing. Ordered the afternoon tea and could only eat half of it. Left with the other half in a box to enjoy later on. The food is fresh and tasty and well worth the money. You would not be disappointed coming...

Absolutely fantastic all round the place looks fabulous, the atmosphere is great the service was paramount especially from Sammi. Food was fabulous, the choice is vast even down to a doggy menu. Will definitely go back and cannot recommend enough a must if in the...

Have visited many times and always been impressed by the service and food. Perhaps today was an off day. The place has expanded into the gift shop and the service from being seated, ordering and being served with the food has suffered. In addition the...

When the rest of the world shuts at 4pm on a Sunday, this lovely little place stays open till 5pm. Worth the drive there after one’s coastal walking nearby. Superb selection of huge quiches, scones, sausage rolls and cakes. Such great staff too. Will always...

Inauspicious exterior on the edge of a housing estate but welcoming and stylish inside. Best selection of cakes I have ever seen and great service from the chatty team (very dog friendly too). We had coffees with Banofee Pie and cherry Bakewell tart. Generous portions...

We went here for tea and cake after visiting Cragside. It was very busy when we arrived but we managed to get a table. Service was good and cakes yummy.

Terrific value lunch. Sandwich/soup/cake/tea (or coffee. Lovely friendly service. It was busy, busy, always a good sign.

We stayed in a local campsite and needed coffee in the morning, we came across this place and we were pleasantly surprised. Very nice staff and lovely coffee.

The Running Fox is always our favourite place to head to in Northumberland but this is our first visit to the Longhoughton Fox. We rang ahead, en-route, to see if any tables and the staff were very accommodating and held a table for us. Beautiful...

Visited foe afternoon tea on a rare day off. The food as usual was amazing however our server Joan made my day so much more special as she was just so lovely and looked after us making it feel like such a treat!

Visited for a late lunch with the parents. Opted for a pie and wedges etc. Very nice Wedges were a bit over done. My dad orderd a sandwich and it could have fed an army. Food really nice, we seemed to get forgotten about so...

We had a most wonderful lunch made most memorable buy Mrs Joanne Roberts who served use at our table .The lady from Rothbury made it all a very interesting as my wife parents originated from that area .A Big thank you to all the staff...

Went here for lunch today. We had the quiche Lorraine and the steak and ale pie. Both meals were very good and large portions. Staff were exceptionally friendly. Only down side for me was when a couple brought in four dogs one of which was...

We visited today with our new baby and my wife's parents. It was their first visit to a Running Fox, and our first visit to this particular location of theirs. My wife and I are big fans of The Running Fox, and this was the...

Our Afternoon Tea experience was wonderful. Staff all friendly, attentive and efficient. Food was great with plenty of choice and unlimited tea and coffee. The cafe was busy with a great atmosphere. Plenty of tables indoor and outside. You have to book for afternoon tea,...

It is always so wonderful to find a special place when least expecting it and this was definitely the case with The Running Fox at Longhoughton. Although we live in Kent my wife and I come to Northumberland once every year and always head to...

Food was absolutely beautiful but the service is very poor. Many customers left waiting for ages or just getting up to get things themselves. Second time coming here and both times the same issues with slow/inattentive staff. The food is absolutely beautiful however

We were lucky to be staying only two doors away from thus amazing place. We popped in on Easter monday and was lucky enough to get a table for breakfast. We were not disappointed the food was the incredible we had the full cooled breakfast,...

Fantastic food, lovely coffee, superb service. We had the smaller version of the full English, and the vegetarian option, wife had gluten free (always very well catered for here). Service extremely helpful & pleasant as always. One note, though; avoid 9.30 on Saturday, when the...

The BEST gluten free sandwich I have ever had……. The freshly baked gluten free bread for my gorgeous turkey sandwich was truly the best I’ve ever had and I been Ceoliac for 25 years! I also had a choice of 5 different types of gluten...

Another fantastic breakfast, our server Jack couldn’t have been more helpful, great food at a great price. We love this place!

Had a lovely breakfast here. Everything was cooked to perfection. Decor inside is very nice. I had the large breakfast. Staff very good. Best to book in advance.

Visited here for Mother’s Day. Fantastic afternoon tea, the best by far. Staff are lovely and super attentive even though the restaurant was full. Will 100% be back 😁

We visited here twice on our trip to Northumberland, and both time we were blown away by the quality of the food. First we had brunch, which was enormous but amazing - the black and white pudding was particularly tasty. Second we had lunch, and...

On a nostalgia trip to RAF Boulmer. Went to visit the old NAAFI in Longhoughton and found it was now a bright, clean café. We went in and received a warm welcome, asked if they had gluten free options and were told "yes, lots of...

My lips and tongue and throat are badly scalded from the soup over an hour and a half ago and I'm still in pain. I understand that these things happen, however, although somebody came to ask if she could help, I didn't receive anything by...

Stopped here for cake and a brew with my husband on our way from Alnwick to Bamburgh (the scenic route!) And wow, what a fabulous selection of cake! The red velvet cake and Victoria sponge were delicious. Some customers nearby were having afternoon tea which...

We had afternoon tea for a friends 40th, the staff were really friendly and took our order pretty quickly from a menu with loads of choice. Sandwiches were so fresh and tasty and the pie home cooked and delicious (only slight issue was it wasn’t...

Brilliant! Had breakfast here on Sunday and Monday. We were given a very warm welcome, the two dogs as well. Our 5 year old Grandson was thoroughly spoiled by the staff as were the rest of us. The food was top class and we cannot...

Gorgeous location, really stunning food- rustic, homemade and generous portions as well as being completely delicious. The staff were so attentive a friend commented and said “it is like being looked after by your aunties”. Appreciate the team at Felton when we turned up there...

We returned here after a few months of beinga way and were not disappointed. the food is excellent. There is an amazing choice of sandwiches as well as 'mains, and portions are huge. I can recommend pan haggerty pie which comes with potato wedges, peas...

Visit regularly, can be busy at times. Dog. Friendly and good staff. Parking a bit dodgy as spaces limited and area along the road also full

What appears to be a local cafe opens up into a fantastic cake shop with a great restaurant. We had a loaded soup of the day ie had a 'melt' with it. This is more than adequate for a lunch and is clearly freshly made...

This place is unbelievable. The food is amazing, we never manage to finish it all with the generous servings, and love to book as a treat. It never disappoints, despite always being really busy

I met friends for brunch this morning & we were definitely well fed! Sausage sandwich, eggy bread & porridge were our choices & they were all enjoyed. Far too full to partake in the amazing looking cakes, so takeaway was in order. Staff were friendly...

Simply staggered by the prices! Sandwiches are from £11.50! Some sandwiches are £12.95! 😳😳😳 Two slices of bread and a filling served with coleslaw OR crisps OR salad - staggering! Nothing can justify these prices. The "original tea for two" (afternoon tea) costs £43! Yes,...

Afternoon tea with good friends today. Ladies serving were lovely, food amazing. Will be back again for sure.

From the moment you arrive service is great… not our first visit as we loved it so much! The sandwiches, pies, cakes scones are all of the highest quality and taste…. Ample portion sizes and fillings… we usually have to bring scones home when we...

We had a very enjoyable lunch here with pleasant surroundings and friendly service. I had the vegetarian pan haggerty which came with potato wedges, peas and artisan bread and my husband had a very good vegetarian quiche with salads. Both meals were delicious an portion...

We always book one of the Running fox sites for Afternoon Tea when holidaying in the area. This is the most recently opened branch, so much choice of home made cakes, Afternoon Tea very good value and always end up taking some home. Plus v...

Having seen the running fox, driving through the village, we decided to call in. Unfortunately, we didn't think to book, but the lovely staff managed to fit us in. The staff couldn't do enough for us and despite us not thinking we'd waited long to...

We had a lovely breakfast here and it lived up to our expectations. We've visited the Running Fox in Felton, so we knew what to expect and we weren't disappointed. Excellent, friendly service, top class food, good value, a good little shop for a wander...

Dog friendly and really good staff.. There were 4 of us today with our dogs and we all had the afternoon tea with prosecco.... It was all very nice indeed (apart from the banoffee cake... didn't like that at all).... however I have to say...

This was our first visit to this new branch of Running Fox after visiting the other 3 over the last few years. We arrived half an hour early as it was raining torrentially and they were happy to seat us early. Dog friendly and he...

Had lunch here a couple of weeks ago whilst on holiday in the area. We enjoyed a sandwich, which was huge, quiche and soup and my daughter had a scone and jam. It was not cheap but food was delicious and fresh and homemade. We...

Disappointing experience for lunch. Lacks the atmosphere and experience we have had at previous Running Fox restaurants. Large portions but were not given option to take away what we were unable to eat. Also expensive considering 3 of us had a sandwich and one of...

We booked a cottage for a weeks break,and were told the Running Fox was just down the road from us,our first visit i informed the staff i had coeliacs{gluton free diet}.The Gluten free full English breakfast was brilliant,( I had this four days running) I...

Me and my husband have been for lunch in the running fox at Longhouton today. Accidentally managed to hit a rain storm leaving both of us drenched and our two spaniels. Fantastic attitude from the staff in their mannerism and understanding of two wet dogs...

This was my first visit to any of the Running Foxes and I was certainly not disappointed. My partner and I had afternoon tea which is £20 per head with as much tea as you want . There is a choice of sandwiches, pies, scones...

My husband and I are having a short break in longhoughton and we have used this cafe nearly everyday.. it is very clean, fresh looking with a friendly atmosphere. It offers great takeaway service along with great takeaway offers. We couldn’t get over the effort...

First time to this branch having visited both the Felton site & Longframlington. It was excellent - we were made to feel most welcome as well as our dogs! The person serving us was brilliantly attentive and genuinely personable chatting to us about the dogs....

We have visited 2 other running foxes and they all are lovely but this one is definitely our favourite. Really nice decor inside, very spacious which is important to us as our dog is a bit grumpy with other dogs at times. It is very...

Called in for a cup of tea and cake, not disappointed, good selection of cakes(spoilt for choice), staff very friendly. The pies looked well worth the money, plenty of filling not a huge gap of air. The gift shop is good, bought a wood chopping...

During our week in Northumberland we managed to visit all of your premises......great service and great products....the take outs are perfect to keep us going on our Coastal Path Walk. See you next year!

The outside appearance of Running Fox dies not do it justice at all. The interior is very smart, staff lovely and the food delicious. Also has a very good bakery with wonderful savouries and cakes.

Perfect pit stop after a big walk along the Coast Path. Very good Banoffee Pie freshly made & Lemon Drizzle cake. Dogs thought the sausage roll was jus wuffely.

We visited today with two friends for our lunch. Place very clean. Meal is sandwich then by pie or quiche with salad. Fruit or cheese scone with jam and cream or buutter. Then a dessert with pots of either tea or coffee. Very good value...

The staff here are so very friendly and helpful. The food is excellent and all the home made cakes are delicious. The seating/dining area is very relaxing and you feel almost at home as soon as you step inside. We will be coming back next...

Our family visited this new Running Fox restaurant recently to celebrate the first return trip of our son from Australia. We arranged with the staff for him to surprise his grandparents at the table which was a huge success. We booked the afternoon tea which...