Deer Larder food hygiene rating
Farmers/growers · West Suffolk
Deer Larder holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the producer met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 6 November 2025, 8 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: Forestry Commission, Santon Downham, Suffolk, IP27 0TJ
How it compares in West Suffolk
That puts Deer Larder among the 1,349 places in West Suffolk holding top marks, 91% 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 | 1,349 | 91% | ← Deer Larder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 91 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 25 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 5 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 241 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 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 Deer Larder 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 Deer Larder, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santon Downham Community Centre Other catering premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 12 February 2025 |
| The Breckland Club Other catering premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 September 2024 |
| Grimes Graves Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 April 2025 |
| Mace Retailers - other | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 June 2017 |
| Pine Vista Cafe Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 September 2025 |
| Leisure Bowl Pub/bar/nightclub | 2.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 August 2025 |
| Fledgelings Preschool Brandon Caring Premises | 2.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 July 2026 |
| Glade Academy School/college/university | 2.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 July 2026 |
Questions about Deer Larder
What is Deer Larder's food hygiene rating?
Deer Larder has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by West Suffolk Council on 6 November 2025.
Is Deer Larder 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 producer to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Deer Larder last inspected?
Deer Larder was last inspected on 6 November 2025, 8 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Suffolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Deer Larder?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very 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 Deer Larder compare to other places in West Suffolk?
91% of the 1,483 rated food businesses in West Suffolk hold the top rating of 5, and Deer Larder is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
West Suffolk Council inspects Deer Larder 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 Deer Larder 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 Suffolk inspects and rates 1,724 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Suffolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.westsuffolk.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 →