A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a body having a longitudinal axis, and a motor unit located in the body for creating an airflow through the appliance. A handle extending along the longitudinal axis has a first end connected to the body and a free, second end. A filter assembly is detachably connected to the body proximate to the first end of the handle. The filter assembly defines a bore running through the filter assembly along the longitudinal axis, the bore being shaped to allow the filter assembly to slide along the handle towards the second end thereof following detachment from the body.