8 July 2014

The team behind the critically-acclaimed Eagle and Child in Ramsbottom have a new- and timely – venture, which is a cool new café in the old Stables at Heaton Park. Here at Taste of Manchester we have long thought that the park – one of the first municipal parks in the UK, dating back to1902 – was lacking a decent eating a drinking facility. So imagine our delight when we found out that the team behind Ramsbottom’s award-winning gastro pub had taken on the project.

There are two outlets within their auspices, The Stables and The Pavilion with the Stables serving hot and cold food, cakes and afternoon tea and The Pavilion (due to open in July / August) offering sundaes, coffees and milkshakes. The Stables is also home to a deli selling, Fitzpatrick’s temperance cordials, Longridge ice creams, Heaton Park honey, Irwell Works Ales and many more products which celebrate and return profits to the North West’s producers.

The venue is pretty fabulous too, and perfect for a family afternoon out or a date with a difference. There’s a farm and petting zoo next door in the same block, as well as an old-fashioned kitchen garden – and the 18^th century Heaton Hall lies just across the courtyard in one of Manchester’s hilliest spots.

Heaton Park, Tel: 0161 2584476, www.eat-at-heatonpark.com