The Plough food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · West Northamptonshire
The Plough holds a 4, meaning hygiene standards at the pub are good. It is a solid result, the inspector found nothing serious, though a 5 was just out of reach.
The rating: 4 - Good
The rating dates from 20 January 2022, more than 4 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: 96 Watling Street East, Towcester, NN12 6BT
How it compares in West Northamptonshire
In West Northamptonshire, 78% of rated places manage a 5, so The Plough sits behind roughly 2,565 nearby businesses. 12% of the borough shares its 4.
| 5 out of 5 | 2,565 | 78% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 378 | 12% | ← The Plough | |
| 3 out of 5 | 251 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 39 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 43 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 9 | <1% |
A further 772 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 Generally satisfactory
- 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 Plough 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 Plough, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarone Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 26 yards away | 4 - Good | 26 February 2025 |
| The Brave Old Oak Pub/bar/nightclub | 46 yards away | 5 - Very good | 3 November 2022 |
| The Watling Street Village Pub/bar/nightclub | 56 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 February 2023 |
| Hartwells of Towcester Retailers - other | 57 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 January 2022 |
| Towbury Court Fine Foods Manufacturers/packers | 57 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 January 2026 |
| Have I Got Brews For You Retailers - other | 57 yards away | 5 - Very good | 12 November 2024 |
| Alfred Searles Retailers - other | 60 yards away | 5 - Very good | 29 November 2024 |
| Ten Hands Cafe Bars Ltd Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 68 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 June 2026 |
Questions about The Plough
What is The Plough's food hygiene rating?
The Plough has a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5 (good), given by West Northamptonshire Council on 20 January 2022.
Is The Plough safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 4 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Plough last inspected?
The Plough was last inspected on 20 January 2022, more than 4 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Northamptonshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Plough?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "generally satisfactory", 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 Plough compare to other places in West Northamptonshire?
78% of the 3,285 rated food businesses in West Northamptonshire hold the top rating of 5, while The Plough holds a 4. 378 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
West Northamptonshire Council inspects The Plough 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 Plough 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 Plough is one of 90 rated food businesses in Towcester. See every hygiene rating in Towcester →
West Northamptonshire inspects and rates 4,057 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Northamptonshire →
The official record is held by the council: https://www.westnorthants.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 →