The Whalebone food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · King's Lynn and West Norfolk
The Whalebone holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 12 May 2025, 14 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 58 Bridge Street, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9DH
How it compares in King's Lynn and West Norfolk
That puts The Whalebone among the 1,206 places in King's Lynn and West Norfolk holding top marks, 89% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,206 | 89% | ← The Whalebone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 98 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 29 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 147 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Very good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At The Whalebone none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to The Whalebone, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | at this address | 5 - Very good | 9 January 2025 |
| Downham And Clackclose Conservative Club Other catering premises | 19 yards away | 3 - Generally satisfactory | 7 November 2025 |
| The Crown Hotel Pub/bar/nightclub | 70 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 October 2024 |
| Reeds Homestore Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 73 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 May 2025 |
| Love Downham Retailers - other | 78 yards away | 5 - Very good | 31 March 2023 |
| The Seat Coffee House Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 90 yards away | 4 - Good | 18 July 2025 |
| The Pantry Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 97 yards away | 4 - Good | 4 December 2025 |
| Cave Kitchen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 104 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 July 2024 |
Questions about The Whalebone
What is The Whalebone's food hygiene rating?
The Whalebone has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council on 12 May 2025.
Is The Whalebone safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Whalebone last inspected?
The Whalebone was last inspected on 12 May 2025, 14 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Whalebone?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Whalebone compare to other places in King's Lynn and West Norfolk?
89% of the 1,353 rated food businesses in King's Lynn and West Norfolk hold the top rating of 5, and The Whalebone is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council inspects The Whalebone and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch The Whalebone and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Whalebone is one of 98 rated food businesses in Downham Market. See every hygiene rating in Downham Market →
King's Lynn and West Norfolk inspects and rates 1,500 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in King's Lynn and West Norfolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →