A joint venture between TV ghost-hunter Yvette Fielding and Northern Quarter café Teacup Kitchen, Proper Tea is probably the UK’s most contemporary church tea room – situated just opposite Manchester Cathedral. It occupies a light-filled Victorian building furnished with modern wooden furniture: a comfortable space without being twee or worthy. An extensive loose-leaf tea list, bolstered by a seasonal ‘tea explorer’ selection, provides more than enough choice for both casual sippers and students of the leaf, though there’s coffee and wine, too. Food consists of toasted sandwiches on Polish rye bread, soup, salads and platters, as well as cakes and afternoon tea with Prosecco or, yes, tea. Tea blends are also available to take away, and thanks to the cathedral connection there are plenty of opportunities to support good causes while you’re here.