THE National Trust has opened a new café in Studland after it controversially told a beloved historic café to shut its doors. 

The Sandy Salt Pig, a café, restaurant and butchery, has opened in the car park at Middle Beach. 

The National Trust provoked anger last year when it deemed the clifftop location of the previous cafe as “unsafe”, due to coastal erosion, and demolished the building. 

James Warren, who spent his entire working life in the Purbecks at Steeple Leaze Farm, has now been awarded the new contract at the site.

Bournemouth Echo: Reclining chairs outside the cafeReclining chairs outside the cafe (Image: James Langdon)

James said he is “thrilled” to be awarded the tender, adding: “At The Salt Pig our goal and ethos has always been to provide food that has been produced throughout the Isle of Purbecks - from the wetlands and heaths to the rolling hills and local farms.  

“We are proud to share the same ethos as the National Trust and deliver a taste of Purbeck to locations throughout Purbeck and Studland.” 

Read more: Studland's Middle Beach Cafe closes after National Trust decision

Read more: Why the National Trust forced Middle Beach Cafe to close

The new menu will include breakfast favourites such as bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches as well as edible cones with a variety of fillings, such as pulled rare beef, and pork, as well as fish and chips, lobster, mac and cheese and crab bruschetta.

Bournemouth Echo: Middle Beach Cafe on its final dayMiddle Beach Cafe on its final day (Image: Daily Echo)

The Salt Pig offers a range of locally sourced food including beef, pork, lamb, game, venison and seafood from local farmers and fishermen.  

James also keeps over 300 pigs whose grazing is said to help heath restoration in the Purbeck Heaths Super National Nature Reserve.

Read more: Middle Beach Cafe at Studland to close and be demolished

Tracey Churcher, National Trust’s general manager for the Isle of Purbeck, said: “Middle Beach is a popular destination and we are delighted that The Sandy Salt Pig is open.” 

There was much sadness when the National Trust closed Middle beach Café in early January this year. 

Bournemouth Echo: Former Middle Beach Cafe runners Paul Brown and his sistersFormer Middle Beach Cafe runners Paul Brown and his sisters (Image: Daily Echo)

Serving thousands of tourists and residents for nearly 70 years, people nationwide blasted the National Trust for its decision, with many saying they would not renew their membership. 

One woman on Middle Beach Café's closing day said: “I won’t be renewing my National Trust membership; I am so angry about it.”