There's something rather special about autumn in Northumberland. The countryside takes on a golden glow, the log burners are fired up — and the county's incredible food scene comes into its own.
The days may be getting shorter, the mornings a little crisper and the leaves beginning to turn, but this is one of our favourite times of year.
And, perhaps best of all, Northumberland's incredible food scene comes into its own.
The perfect excuse to slow down
Autumn, on a plate
Autumn is the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy the very best of what our beautiful county has to offer.
So, if you're a food lover looking for reasons to explore Northumberland this autumn, here's our little guide to making the most of the season.
Start with a walk
Autumn in Northumberland is made for exploring.
Whether you're heading into the Cheviots, strolling through woodland or enjoying a windswept walk along the coast, there are miles of beautiful countryside waiting to be discovered.
And we think every good autumn walk deserves a delicious reward at the end of it.
That's where we come in…
Five Running Fox cafes dotted across Northumberland
Each Fox has its own character and setting, but the same focus on great food, friendly service and making people feel at home.
Make time for afternoon tea
Autumn is also the perfect season for a proper afternoon tea.
Settle somewhere cosy
A proper afternoon tea
Gather your favourite people, settle somewhere cosy and enjoy an afternoon of sandwiches, scones, cakes and plenty of tea.
And if you're…
Celebrating something
Catching up with friends
Simply looking for an excuse to put the kettle on without actually having to wash up afterwards
…even better!
Our famous afternoon teas are made for lingering, chatting and enjoying those little moments that make autumn feel so special.
Discover Northumberland's local produce
One of the things we love most about Northumberland is the incredible produce right on our doorstep.
From local…
…there is so much to discover. And sometimes, the best way to uncover those hidden food gems is to let someone else show you the way!
Their food-focused tours are a wonderful way to discover some of the independent producers, makers and businesses that make Northumberland's food scene so special while enjoying plenty of delicious tastings along the way.
It's a great way to explore the county through food, meet the people behind some of its brilliant local products and perhaps discover a few new favourites to take home with you.
Don't forget to look out for what's in season
Autumn brings an abundance of wonderful ingredients…
Tap everything you've spotted this autumn.
There's no better time to get out and explore it.
Make a day of it
One of our favourite things about Northumberland is that you don't have to travel far to feel like you've escaped.
Countryside
Kirkharle
- Spend the morning exploring Kirkharle
- Take a walk around the beautiful Capability Brown landscape
- Pop into The Running Fox for lunch
- Continue your adventure through the Northumberland countryside
The coast
Longhoughton
- Head towards the coast
- Explore the villages and beaches around Longhoughton
- Stop at the Fox for something warming afterwards
The Cheviots
The villages
Longframlington & Felton
- Explore the villages around Longframlington and Felton
Wherever the road takes you, there's usually a good excuse for coffee and cake along the way.
Autumn at The Running Fox
For us, autumn isn't just about changing menus and seasonal ingredients. It's about creating somewhere people want to come back to.
Somewhere you can…
Northumberland has so much to offer at this time of year, and we're lucky enough to be right in the middle of it.
So grab your boots, wrap up warm and get out there.
Wherever your Northumberland adventure takes you this autumn, we hope you'll make time for a little bit of Foxy hospitality along the way.
Image credits & licences
Northumberland landscape photography sourced from Wikimedia Commons and Geograph Britain and Ireland, reused under Creative Commons licences. Food and cafe photographs are The Running Fox's own.
- Shades of autumn in the Breamish valley (banner) © Gordon Hatton — CC BY-SA 2.0
- Autumn leaves on the path © Robert Graham — CC BY-SA 2.0
- The Lake at Kirkharle © Oliver Dixon — CC BY-SA 2.0
- Longhoughton Steel © Russel Wills — CC BY-SA 2.0
- Breamish valley above Ingram © Derek Harper — CC BY-SA 2.0
- River Coquet, Felton © Graham Robson — CC BY-SA 2.0
