About us.
ABOUT
A family run business offering flavoursome dishes using ingredients from Dorset’s natural larder since 1991.
Dorset is one of the country’s finest natural larders—where rolling green hills, fertile farmland, and a spectacular coastline come together to offer an abundance of incredible produce. From freshly caught seafood to indulgent cheeses and seasonal fruit and veg, the county’s rich food culture runs deep.
In 1991, Bill and Joan Attrill opened Hive Beach Cafe to celebrate that bounty.
What started as a small beachside shack on the National Trust’s Hive Beach quickly grew into a place where locals and visitors could enjoy the very best of Dorset, lovingly prepared and served with a family touch. For us, success is simple: seeing guests truly indulge and leave with the taste of Dorset lingering in their memory.
Honouring the land and sea through every ingredient.
Our mission has remained steadfast since day one: to share Dorset’s finest produce with the world. But how do you do that in a way that truly honours the land and sea?
It starts with sourcing. Every ingredient on our menu is carefully chosen from local farms, artisanal producers, and fishermen who share our commitment to quality and sustainability. Fresh, ethically sourced produce transforms a good meal into a memorable experience.
Local farmers, artisans, and fishermen at the heart of every dish.
It starts with sourcing. Every ingredient on our menu is carefully chosen from local farms, artisanal producers, and fishermen who share our commitment to quality and sustainability. Fresh, ethically sourced produce transforms a good meal into a memorable experience.
Seasonal menus shaped by creative freedom and Dorset’s changing bounty.
Next comes creativity. Our chefs are given complete freedom to let their imaginations run wild, designing dishes that are as visually captivating as they are delicious. Menus rotate seasonally to make the most of Dorset’s ever-changing bounty, ensuring every visit brings something new and exciting.
Where warmth, belonging, and genuine hospitality shape the experience.
In hospitality, service matters every bit as much as the food on the plate. As the old saying goes, “What’s more important - the journey or the destination?” A wise man replied, “the company.”
At Hive Beach Cafe, we believe the same. The experience our guests enjoy begins with the people who serve them. We’ve built a workplace rooted in family values, where our crew feel connected, supported, and genuinely at home. We recognise the talent within our team and invest in their growth, ensuring that everyone who works with us has the opportunity to thrive.
When people feel they belong, that warmth naturally flows into the service, becoming part of the Hive experience as surely as any dish we serve.
Sustainable choices that protect our coast and celebrate its lesser-known treasures.
And finally, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. The seas that surround Dorset have provided for generations, and we take our role as guardians seriously. We work with local fisherman where we can, they might catch a less fashionable fish to protect dwindling fish stocks, but when cooked - they’re still every bit as joyful. On a clear day, ask one of our chefs where the catch of the day comes from, and they might just point to a rock just offshore, right where it was caught. That’s the closeness and care that defines Hive Beach Cafe.
Methods & Sustainability.
We take a firm stance on sustainability to help protect dwindling fish stocks. The flexibility of our short, seasonal menu allows us to feature less-fashionable fish from the local fishermen’s daily catch. By buying directly from small, independent boats, each of our dishes achieves a level of freshness that showcases the very best flavours of the sea.
Discover our Restaurants on The Jurassic Coast.
As The Hive Beach Cafe business grew and passed on to later generations of family members, we've acquired two additional restaurants to serve a wider community. These include The Club House in West Bexington and The Watch House in West Bay. Each of our sites has a unique atmosphere and menu that's curated by the head chef.
The Club House in West Bexington
For a refined dining experience with stunning views over Chesil Beach, join us at The Club House. Choose from indoor or outdoor seating, enjoy private dining options for special occasions, and savor our traditional Sunday Roast, served every weekend.
The Watch House Cafe in West Bay
The Watch House boasts a laid back, family-friendly ambiance much like our beloved Hive Beach Cafe. We offer a bottomless brunch on selected dates at The Watchas and host a variety of events.
Blog posts
The Ultimate Guide to Perfectly Crispy Patatas Fritas at Home
Potato crisps (patatas fritas) have a crunch that’s irresistibly delicious — a bit like scoffing a bag of pistachios. You know the feeling: once you start, you just can’t stop!...
4 Excellent Recipes That Use Up Christmas Leftovers
Everyone has their own idea of what Boxing Day should look like. But after indulging in all the comforting classics Christmas has to offer, many of us start craving something...
7 Deliciously Nourishing Healthy Seafood Recipes You Must Try
The best thing about seafood dishes is that the ingredients speak for themselves. With a lot of fish based dishes, tossing fish in a pan or roasting it in the...
The Hive’s Ultimate Sea Salt Blend
At the Hive, seasoning is never an afterthought — it’s where flavour begins. This ultimate sea salt blend is our quiet workhorse, used across fish, vegetables and meats to lift...
