Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in Bashley opens new cafe L’Arte at Sammy’s Pit Stop

A NEW cafe has opened at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in Bashley.

L’Arte at Sammy Miller’s Pit Stop is run by father and son Mark and Dan Ellson, who run cafes in Bournemouth, Reading and Bsingstoke.

The new building, just past the entrance to the museum, runs alongside pens containing turkeys, geese, chicken and goats. The site also boasts donkeys, alpacas and sheep.

“This is such a great site,” said Dan. “We’ve taken on all the staff from the old tea rooms here, so they have experience of working on this site.

“We’ve been unbelievably busy - some of our customers have been to the museum but many just come to enjoy the cafe and see the animals.

“The site also has ample parking, which is a big draw. There’s no reason this place won’t flourish.”

The menu features a breakfast and lunch menu featuring an all-day full English, including a veggie option, burritos, toasted sandwiches using Bakehouse24 sourdough, wraps, soups and jaket potatoes with a range of fillings.

“Our toasted sandwiches, particularly tuna melts, are doing really well; along with our chicken and bacon caesar wrap,” said Dan. “And the full English, which we serve all day, is also proving very popular.

“We also serve cakes made inhouse - including a lemon drizzle, muffins and scones - and we get cinamon buns from Bakehouse24.”

Dan continued: “I’ve got a few plans which I’ve not yet put in place because we’ve just been so busy. I want to introduce some greenery to the cafe, and some rugs because at the moment the space is quite echoey.

“And after holding a wake here recently, we are planning on hosting private functions - although these would need to be outside of our opening times, so from 4pm.”

The cafe opens seven days a week, between 9.30am and 4pm. Later in the season opening times are likely to be extended.

Dan and Mark have worked in the hospitality industry for nearly five years, and alongside running cafes they cater for business lunches and events for companies including Lush cosmetics.

As well as the renowned museum with its incredible collection, visitors can also browse the craft shops on site. There is also a copper water fountain standing proud in the terrace area outside the cafe.

For more information about L’Arte at Sammy Miller’s Pit Stop, Tea Rooms at Sammy Millers on Facebook.

With L’Arte at Sammy’s Pit Stop now open, morning ride ins will revert to Tuesdays instead of the recent Thursday mornings.

For details on the museum, go to sammymiller.co.uk