Heaton Park has revealed a new trio of scenic lakeside dining domes, perfect for those looking for a unique afternoon tea experience in Manchester.
Situated in Manchester’s largest park with stunning views of the lake and gardens, not to mention the Grade-I listed Heaton Hall close at hand, the domes offer an extra special afternoon tea experience surrounded by nature.
Each is private and heated to ensure maximum comfort, with a menu that features a number of different afternoon tea options, including vegan options.
Image: Heaton Park Cafés
All carefully curated by Heaton Park Cafés, who host the domes, the menus are designed to offer a mix of afternoon tea classics and imaginative variations.
The classic afternoon tea keeps things traditional with delicious sandwiches, free-range Heaton scotch egg and homemade sage and onion sausage roll.
On the sweet side, think chocolate brownies, homemade Victoria sponge, scones and homemade jam with vanilla Chantilly cream and a baked meringue with pineapple and passionfruit.
Image: Heaton Park Cafés
There’s a miniature offering for children, too, served on a decorative wooden boat for added lakeside fun. Inside, they’ll find a Manchester bee sandwich, sausage roll, mini-scone with jam and cream, Victoria sponge and chocolate brownie bites.
Elsewhere, vegans are treated to a vegan Scotch egg and homemade ‘not so sausage’ roll, alongside pulled barbecue jackfruit and tofu sandwiches, vegan Victoria sponge, pistachio carrot cake, vegan scone with jam and plant-based crema, and fruit jelly with pineapple and passionfruit.
All menus are priced at £23.95 per person and served with a pot of English breakfast tea or regular hot drink. Children’s teas are priced at £14.95. The Dining Domes can seat up to six and advance booking is essential.
Heaton Park is a historic area on the edge of Manchester and is the perfect setting for a family day out. There’s something for all ages with an animal centre and tram museum, play areas, bowling greens and food and drink curated by The Stables Café and The Lakeside Café.
Home testing kits will be sent out those who never or rarely attend cervical screenings
Emily Sergeant
People with a cervix who have never or rarely attend appointments are be offered home-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme.
The Government‘s groundbreaking initiative, which comes under the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, aims to revolutionise cervical cancer prevention rates by tackling what are described as ‘deeply-entrenched barriers’ keeping some away from potentially life-saving screenings – including a fear of discomfort, embarrassment, cultural sensitivities, and even the struggle to find time for medical appointments.
Participation in cervical cancer screening currently sits at just 68.8%, according to the Department of Health, which is well below NHS England’s target of 80%.
This therefore means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their routine check-up.
Women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening will now be offered a self-sample kit to complete at home by the NHS.
Women who haven’t come forward for cervical screening will be offered self-sampling kits.
As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, we’re tackling the barriers that keep some women away from potentially lifesaving screenings.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 24, 2025
The self-testing kits – which detect human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer – will allow women to carry out the testing procedure in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.
The kits will be sent out in discreet packaging, and can be returned via pre-paid mail.
Anyone who may test positive for HPV through self-sampling will then be encouraged to attend a follow-up cervical screening test with a clinician to check for cervical cell changes.
Experts believe this new targeted approach could increase participation in the screening programme and ultimately save more than 5,000 lives each year.
“These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people’s lives, not the other way around,” commented Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.
“They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.
“We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”
Michelle Kane, who is the NHS’s Director of Screening, added: “There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them.”
Featured Image – Cancer Research UK
News
Fire service thanks Manchester public for cooperation while they worked to extinguish Hotspur Press fire
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s fire service has now thanked the public for their cooperation after crews worked under ‘very challenging conditions’ last night.
One of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left destroyed this morning after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press building, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, late yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 June).
It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.
Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester#mcrpic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.
Formal statements addressing the incident have already been made by Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the latter of which provided relevant health advice.
GMFRS has thanked the Manchester public for their cooperation as they worked to extinguish the Hotspur Press fire / Credit: The Manc Group | Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)
But as of 9:40am this morning, with much of the fire extinguished despite crews still working at the scene, GMFRS has now issued a statement providing the latest updates on the incident and thanking the public for ‘allowing us to get on with the job’
“The fire spread to several balconies at the two tower blocks at number 1 Cambridge Street, and we took the decision to evacuate all residents,” explained a spokesperson for GMFRS. “Firefighters worked tirelessly to ensure all occupants made it out of the buildings safely and there are no reports of any occupants suffering ill health.
“Shortly after 9pm, once the major incident was lifted, the occupants of one of those blocks was able to return home, while the other remains closed as we work with Manchester City Council and the building owner to make the building habitable again.
🚨 Crews remain at the Hotspur Press building to monitor and dampen down remaining hotspots
🚒 Oxford Road train station and the railway lines have reopened but Cambridge Street remains closed
🧑🚒 Thank you to the public for your support while we tackled this incident
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) June 24, 2025
“Oxford Road station and the railway line have now reopened. Crews are still working on Gloucester St and the main area around the mill, but the main roads of Whitworth Street and access off the Mancunian Way have reopened.
“Crews will be joined by specialist fire officers later this morning to begin investigating the cause of the fire, as well as assessing the extent of the structural damage to the building.