The lakeside afternoon tea dining domes return to Heaton Park

Heaton Park, Manchester’s largest park with its 18th-century Grade I-listed Heaton Hall, has revealed its all-new summer Lakeside Dining Domes in partnership with Life Cafés & Resorts.

Fitted with shaded glazing and air conditioning to keep guests cool, the Lakeside Dining Domes are available to book for a unique afternoon tea experience and a soon to be launched summer evening menu. 

The Lakeside Dining Domes will soon be opening up a later booking slot throughout the summer so guests can dine in the evenings up until 7pm.

For those who want to get out on the water and explore the lake and its scenic surroundings, Heaton Park Boats offer a range of hire boats, from the family-friendly swan pedal boats to traditional rowing and all-new electric craft, for a more leisurely cruising experience. 

With stunning views of the lake and park surroundings, the private dining dome’s afternoon tea menu features several afternoon tea choices, including a vegan afternoon tea, all carefully curated by Heaton Park Cafés to offer the perfect balance of quintessential classics, and some imaginative variations of all-time favourites.

Hire a dining dome at Heaton Park

The traditional signature menu includes a classic afternoon tea with a selection of delicious sandwiches, a free-range Heaton Scotch egg and a homemade signature sage and onion sausage roll.

Sweet offerings include indulgent chocolate brownie with salted caramel ganache, homemade Victoria sponge, house scone with homemade jam and vanilla Chantilly and a baked meringue with pineapple and passionfruit.

The vegan afternoon tea features homemade vegan Scotch egg with red pepper centre, homemade ‘not so sausage roll’, pulled barbecue jackfruit and crisp lettuce sandwich and tofu and watercress mayonnaise sandwich.

Desserts include homemade vegan Victoria sponge, pistachio carrot cake, vegan scone with homemade jam and plant-based cream and fruit jelly with pineapple and passionfruit.  

The afternoon tea menus are £23.95 per person and served with a pot of English breakfast or speciality tea or regular hot drink, such as a barista crafted coffee made with the unique Life Café Blend Coffee Beans.

The Dining Domes can seat up to six.

For little ones, there’s an exciting children’s afternoon tea served on a decorative wooden boat – children can choose from fruit juice (apple or orange) or a babyccino.

To eat, they can enjoy a Manchester Bee sandwich, sausage roll, mini-scone with homemade jam and cream, homemade Victoria sponge and chocolate brownie bites.

Coming soon, the Heaton Park Summer Picnic evening package includes a roasted cauliflower mac & cheese with a molten Camembert, a free-range Heaton Scotch egg and a homemade signature sage and onion sausage roll. 

There is also a selection of delicious salads, from Mediterranean pearl couscous salad, classic Caesar salad and the harissa chickpea and orange salad.

Sweet offerings include indulgent chocolate filled churros with vanilla ice cream, chocolate orange sauce and cookie crumble, plus a homemade open scone with vanilla clotted cream and Champagne strawberries. 

There is also a vegan offering and children’s menu available.

Hire a boat at Heaton Park

If you fancy jumping on a boat at Heaton Park? The latest addition to the Heaton Park boat hire fleet, the Electric Boats offer a more relaxed but fun-packed boating experience for those who head down to the lakeside. For those who want to get out on the water and explore the lake and its scenic surroundings, Heaton Park offers a range of hire boats, from family-friendly Swan Pedal boats to traditional rowing and pedal boats.

Heaton Park is the biggest park in the north west on the edge of Manchester and is the perfect setting for a family day out. There’s something for all ages, from an Animal Centre to a Tram Museum, play areas, bowling greens and delicious food and drink options curated by The Stables Café and The Lakeside Café.

To make a reservation for afternoon tea, visit heatonparkcafes.com, and you can book boating online at heatonparkboats.com.