The Fox & Hounds food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · West Northamptonshire
The Fox & Hounds 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 4 October 2023, more than 2 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: Harlestone Road, Lower Harlestone, West Northamptonshire, NN7 4EW
How it compares in West Northamptonshire
That puts The Fox & Hounds among the 2,565 places in West Northamptonshire holding top marks, 78% 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 | 2,565 | 78% | ← The Fox & Hounds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 377 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 251 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 39 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 44 | 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 Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety 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 Fox & Hounds 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 Fox & Hounds, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingswood at Harlestone Primary School/college/university | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 May 2023 |
| Harlestone Stores Retailers - other | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 April 2017 |
| Cafemonde Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.1 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 August 2023 |
| Central England Co-operative Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 January 2026 |
| Duston Cottage Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 January 2023 |
| Duston Fish Bar Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 March 2026 |
| Eldean Childcare Ltd @ School/college/university | 1.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 17 June 2024 |
| Eurest Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 December 2025 |
Questions about The Fox & Hounds
What is The Fox & Hounds's food hygiene rating?
The Fox & Hounds has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by West Northamptonshire Council on 4 October 2023.
Is The Fox & Hounds 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 Fox & Hounds last inspected?
The Fox & Hounds was last inspected on 4 October 2023, more than 2 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 Fox & Hounds?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Fox & Hounds compare to other places in West Northamptonshire?
78% of the 3,285 rated food businesses in West Northamptonshire hold the top rating of 5, and The Fox & Hounds is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
West Northamptonshire Council inspects The Fox & Hounds 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 Fox & Hounds and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
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 →