The Horse and Groom food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · North Devon
The Horse and Groom 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 27 November 2019, more than 6 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: The Horse And Groom, 41 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1SE
How it compares in North Devon
That puts The Horse and Groom among the 1,107 places in North Devon holding top marks, 84% 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 | 1,107 | 84% | ← The Horse and Groom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 129 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 42 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 15 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 21 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 3 | <1% |
A further 150 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very 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 Horse and Groom 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 Horse and Groom, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Lush Pub/bar/nightclub | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 March 2025 |
| Catch Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 July 2024 |
| Grattons Butchers Retailers - other | 48 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 June 2022 |
| Alexanders Sandwich Bar Takeaway/sandwich shop | 78 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 July 2024 |
| J.J Asian Supermarket Ltd Retailers - other | 102 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 November 2025 |
| Block Retailers - other | 104 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 November 2024 |
| Artisarni Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 112 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 October 2024 |
| East & West Bakery Manufacturers/packers | 112 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 June 2024 |
Questions about The Horse and Groom
What is The Horse and Groom's food hygiene rating?
The Horse and Groom has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by North Devon Council on 27 November 2019.
Is The Horse and Groom 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 Horse and Groom last inspected?
The Horse and Groom was last inspected on 27 November 2019, more than 6 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by North Devon Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Horse and Groom?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very 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 Horse and Groom compare to other places in North Devon?
84% of the 1,317 rated food businesses in North Devon hold the top rating of 5, and The Horse and Groom is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
North Devon Council inspects The Horse and Groom 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 Horse and Groom 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 Horse and Groom is one of 413 rated food businesses in Barnstaple. See every hygiene rating in Barnstaple →
North Devon inspects and rates 1,467 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in North Devon →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.northdevon.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 →